USFS FOREST SERVICE ASTOUNDING REORGANIZATION: WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE WEST COAST
Historic Shake-Up at USDA Forest Service (USFS) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) has announced a sweeping reorganization that will significantly change the way the Forest Service (USFS) operates. The plan is part of a broader USDA effort to right-size the workforce, cut management layers, consolidate functions, and move staff closer to […]
TRAVEL CALIFORNIA – GIANT MARVELS OF CALAVERAS BIG TREES STATE PARK
Walking Among the Giants of Calaveras Big Trees State Park Wandering among the towering giants of Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a humbling reminder of just how small we are in the grand scheme of Nature. Here, some of the largest living things on Earth—the Giant Sequoias—rise between 250 and 300 feet tall, with […]
WILDFIRE! DON’T GET COMPLACENT – FIRE SEASON ISN’T OVER
Keep Your Wildfire Preparedness Sharp California’s (and much of the West’s) wildfire season has been mild so far—but that’s exactly when complacency creeps in. Late-season wind events and ultra-dry fuels can turn a quiet September into an ugly October–November. Use this calm to tighten up your plan and gear. 1) Backup Power & Generators Run-test […]
10 PROVEN TIPS FOR LIVING WITH CONFLICT IN RECREATION GROUPS
Conflict: Smart Strategies for Turning Disagreements into Opportunities Conflict is part of life. Anytime people share ideas and opinions—especially about something they’re passionate about—disagreements are bound to surface. That’s conflict. It doesn’t mean the end of the world, and it doesn’t always have to be negative. In outdoor recreation, particularly in motorized groups, conflict arises […]
TAKE BACK THE BRUSH – 5 POWERFUL STEPS TO IMPROVE OUR IMAGE
Take Back the Brush: Protecting the Image of Recreationists Controlling the Narrative About our Image by Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate It’s All About Image It’s all about image! That’s why I say it’s time to take back the brush. For too long, others have been painting the picture of who we are as […]
GET OFF THE FENCE – TAKE ACTION NOW TO SAVE TRAILS
The Time for Fence-Sitting is Over if We Want Motorized Trails in Our Future By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate Do you feel like your off-road passion is idling in neutral? Has it seemed like the trails, the clubs, and the fight for access are all in slow motion — and you’re just parked […]
9 WILDFIRE PREVENTION TIPS FOR JEEP AND OHV ENTHUSIASTS
Nine Wildfire Prevention Tips for Motorized Recreationists By Del Albright, Retired Fire Chief If you enjoy summer adventures in the great outdoors—especially behind the wheel of a Jeep, OHV, or other motorized rig—wildfire prevention is YOUR responsibility.Our friends in public land management agencies with years of fire service experience remind us that one careless move […]
FIRE SAFETY; NEW TECHNOLOGY & E-BIKES
Same Trail, New Tech, Real Risks: The Future of Off-Roading and Fire Safety By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate Off-roading is evolving—fast. The once rumbling trails of carbureted engines and high-octane exhaust are now joined by the silent hum of electric side-by-sides, e-bikes, EVs, and hybrid Jeeps. From app-powered navigation systems to charging stations […]
PLANNING FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE ON PUBLIC LANDS
How Motorized Stewards Must be Part of the Climate Solution on Public Lands By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate Is it all about climate? Public lands are facing some rough times—mega-fires, floods, long droughts, and weather patterns that make it tough for agencies and volunteers alike to keep things open and usable. Call it […]
GOLD MINING & LANDUSE SIMILARITIES: DISCOVERERS, DEVELOPERS, & MERCHANTS
How Old West Gold Mining Mirrors Today’s Landuse Battles By Del Albright The old prospector didn’t give a hoot about all the hype around the 1849 Gold Rush anymore. As far as he could tell, it was hotter than a branding iron and meaner than a pissed off rattlesnake out here in the western desert. […]