MISSION OF THE US FOREST SERVICE
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), a pivotal agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was established in 1905 to manage and protect the nation’s forest reserves. Today, it oversees 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands—an area roughly the size of Texas—making it a cornerstone of America’s public land stewardship. Mission & Motto Guided […]
PUBLIC SPEAKING TIPS AND TRICKS; SPEECHES MADE EASY
Speak Like a Leader: Public Speaking Tips That Actually Work Let’s face it—public speaking can be scarier than being bucked off a horse or wrenching on your rig with parts flying. Most folks dread getting up in front of a crowd, but if you’re a leader of volunteers, a trail advocate, or the one folks […]
THE “WEST” ACT: SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN PUBLIC LANDS
The WEST Act: What It Means for Public Land and Motorized Recreation By Del AlbrightAdvocate for Access | Public Lands Steward | Veteran Voice for the Trail ⚖️ Background: What Is the WEST Act? In mid-2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) introduced a sweeping new rule called the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule. This […]
TRUMP BRINGS BACK LOGGING IN AMERICA
How Forest Policy Changes Could Impact Your Access to Public Lands By Del Albright The Trump Administration made sweeping changes to how our national forests are logged and managed. While these changes aim to speed up forest projects and reduce wildfire risks, they also carry consequences for those of us who love the outdoors and […]
MODERN LAND USE TERMS AND CONCEPTS
Understanding Modern Land Conservation: Wildlands, Rewilding, and Wilderness Public lands and conservation efforts in America come in many forms — and they often overlap in goals but differ in methods and philosophy. Here’s a quick breakdown of four key ideas and initiatives you may have heard about: The Wildlands Project (Now “Wildlands Network”)Launched in the […]
NEPA EXPLAINED FOR MOTORIZED RECREATIONISTS
NEPA Explained: What the National Environmental Policy Act Means for Motorized Recreation If you’ve ever wondered why land use decisions on public trails seem to move at a snail’s pace—or why some routes get closed altogether—the answer often points to one law: NEPA. Let’s break it down. What is NEPA? The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed […]
CALIFORNIA LAND USE HISTORY WITH THE “REN”
LANDUSE HISTORY IN CALIFORNIA – THE RESOURCE EDUCATION NETWORK 1997 LAUNCHED THE ERA OF ORGANIZATIONAL COOPERATION By Del Albright NOTE: I offer this bit of history to document our land use efforts in California. At the end of this note, you’ll find a full listing of the membership. As far as diversity of organizational involvement […]
OUR TRAILS NEED YOU AND NOW IS THE TIME!
NOW IS THE TIME: LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD LIKE NEVER BEFORE! By Del Albright Right now — before the summer chaos hits, while clubs and groups are gearing up for events, fundraisers, and land use battles — is the time to ACT. Our trails are on the table. Some are threatened. Some are already locked […]
AVOID BURNOUT BY FINDING YOUR THRESHOLD OF VOLUNTEERISM
Avoid Burnout by Finding Your Threshold of Volunteerism By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate Saying “yes” to a cause you care about is easy—maybe too easy. Before you know it, your calendar is overflowing, your inbox is bursting, your patience is thinning, and burnout is just around the corner. The irony? Once burnout hits, […]
EARTH DAY – ACTION, AWARENESS, & APPRECIATION
EARTH DAY April 22nd – THE THREE A’S OF STEWARDSHIP IN MOTORIZED RECREATION Action, Awareness, and Appreciation By Del Albright Earth Day: The 3 A’s of Stewardship – A Roadmap to Keeping Public Lands Open Every year, Earth Day gives us a chance to celebrate the incredible beauty and value of the natural world. […]