Coalitions and Advocacy Groups – Of Cowboys, Cows, and Coalitions
By Del Albright
Jesse sat in his old line-shack-turned-cabin, listening to the cows bunching up for the night. The air smelled of kerosene lamps, beans on the potbelly stove, and the comforting scent of his herd. No electricity. No TV. Just the music of evening birds in the pines.
He was the third generation of his family to ranch these high Sierra meadows straddling the California–Nevada border. His granddad built the first fences and stock ponds. His dad raised the line shack. Jesse made it home.
Sure, he had a modern house forty miles down in town, but that was just for winter or when he needed a “people fix.” Most days, he preferred the solitude of the land, a few visits from four-wheelers or hunters, and the company of his cattle. His dream was simple: live with his critters, run a few hundred head, and enjoy the wildflowers and aspens that framed his meadow each year.
Then it happened.
Trouble Rides In
Jesse didn’t follow the news. No email, no computer, no TV. But one day at the coffee shop, he overheard talk that made his cowboy blood boil.
Scenic Byways. Wilderness Study Areas. The Endangered Species Act. County restrictions. And—would you believe it—a suckerfish that once shut down ranches up north.
He heard whispers that his ranch access might be turned into a Scenic Byway. Jokes that he was “eating endangered species for lunch.” Bottom line? A whole lot of people Jesse never met were suddenly talking about changing his way of life.
If that happened, his cows, his cabin, and his family’s legacy could be on the line.
The Power of Coalitions
Fortunately, Jesse isn’t alone—and neither are today’s ranchers, recreationists, or resource users. The answer is in coalitions: the joining together of unlikely parts to build a stronger whole.
Think of it like putting John Deere parts on a Ford tractor, or a Chevy motor in a Toyota. If it works to get the job done, why not?
Coalitions give voice and power to people like Jesse. They allow ranchers to team up with four-wheelers, hunters, equestrians, anglers, and anyone who depends on or enjoys the land. Together, they form the united front needed to push back against extreme, lock-it-up agendas.
Standing Together for Multiple-Use
The truth is, every user of the land—whether for livelihood or recreation—is endangered by the mindset that says close it down and keep people out.
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Ranchers need healthy grazing land.
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Hunters and anglers need access to game and streams.
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Four-wheelers and recreationists need trails to explore.
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Resource industries need to produce the materials we all use daily.
Banding together ensures our voices are louder, more diverse, and harder to ignore. Whether it’s through local coalitions or national advocacy groups, the key is unity.
Why It Matters
Some administrations try to restore balance; others push to overprotect. But regardless of who’s in charge, it’s the local and state bureaucrats making daily decisions who need to hear from us. Some are excellent stewards; many need constant reminding of what’s at stake.
That’s where coalitions shine. They bring common sense back to the table. They remind decision-makers that multiple-use isn’t a slogan—it’s a way of life that sustains families, fuels economies, and keeps traditions alive.
Final Word from the Trail
Jesse’s story is fictional, but the challenge is real. From Sierra ranches to desert trails, the future of our way of life depends on us standing together. Alone, one rancher—or one four-wheeler—can be pushed aside. United, we’re a force that cannot be ignored. Join those groups and associations that make sense to you so you are part of “standing together.”
Coalitions aren’t always easy. They take compromise, effort, and persistence. But if we care about our land, our heritage, and our freedom to use both, then coalition-building isn’t just smart—it’s survival.
So saddle up. Whether you’re a cowboy, a recreationist, or someone who just loves the outdoors, it’s time to stand shoulder to shoulder. Because together, we can keep the West alive.