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 what you will—climate change, a hot cycle, El Niño’s angry cousin—the land is taking a beating.
But here’s the deal: I’m tired of every natural disaster being blamed on “climate change.” It’s become the go-to scapegoat, the trendy buzzword that replaced “global warming,” evolved into “climate crisis,” and now wears the label “climate resilience.”
Does the climate shift? Sure it does. It always has. But it’s more complicated than that—and blaming everything on climate change often distracts from real, boots-on-the-ground solutions that could actually help. Let’s dig a little deeper into this touchy subject.
Current Usage – Climate Crisis, Resilience, & Justice
-
Today, “climate change” is still the most widely used and scientifically accepted umbrella term.
-
But we’re also seeing:
-
“Climate crisis” – to emphasize the urgency and danger.
-
“Climate resilience” – focusing on how communities can adapt and survive the changes.
-
“Climate justice” – highlighting how vulnerable populations are disproportionately impacted.
-
I will soon write more about this, but for now, here’s a quick and dirty summary:
What Does “Climate Resilience” Really Mean?
For those of us who recreate, explore, and volunteer on public lands, it means preparing our landscapes and access routes to handle extremes—fire, flood, drought—and bounce back stronger.
Not with more buzzwords, but with common sense with things like:
- Clear the brush where it matters.
- Fix the drainage before the road washes out.
- Control sedimentation on roads and trails.
- Build trails and campsites that can take a beating and still be there next season.
- Volunteer for trail cleanups and fuels projects with land mangers.
- Be cognizant and mindful of our activities that affect air quality.
That’s climate resilience I can get behind. Practical. Tactical. Real.
Where Public Lands Are Vulnerable
- Overgrown forests become firebombs waiting for a spark.
- Washed-out trails become excuses to close areas “until further notice” due to sedimentation.
- Aging infrastructure struggles to survive a storm, let alone a fire.
- Access roads turn into battlegrounds between erosion and bureaucracy.
- Burned acreage in the West overwhelms the ability of any agency to mitigate hazards and repair damage to resources.
- Staffing and budget shortfalls dominate the federal agency bureaucracy and result in de facto closures.
️ Resilience in Action—What Actually Works
Let’s talk solutions, not slogans:
- Reinforced Trails & Roads with better culverts, sedimentation control, adequate barriers, and proper grading.
- Staging Areas Designed for Fire Safety with defensible space and hardened surfaces.
- Volunteer Projects that make a difference—clearing, maintaining, restoring, and rebuilding.
- Shared and Balanced Stewardship—off-roaders, ranchers, hikers, and hunters working with agencies, not just reacting to them.
Where We Come In: Motorized Stewards
We’re not just joyriders. We’re the folks hauling water tanks, adopting trails, and hauling trash bags out of the backcountry.
That’s why we must:
- Push for real-world planning—not just paperwork.
- Support fuels reduction and restoration efforts, not just closures.
- Lead by example with our gear dialed in, campfires safe, and ethics front and center.
- Speak up when bad science or lazy blaming tries to shut down access.
️ Bottom Line: Be in the Room When the Decisions Get Made
You want to talk resilience? Start by showing up. Because if we’re not at the table, we’re probably on the chopping block.
- Read the travel management plans (at least the summaries from people and Associations you trust).
- Show up for comment periods.
- Join and support land use groups who fight the good fight.
A Quick Note Before You Scroll On…
Let’s not let “climate change” become an excuse to give up or give in. Call it whatever you want—but if we wait for “someone else” or perfect conditions, we’ll lose the trails, the heritage, and the freedom that makes this country great. Be part of the planning for our future. Get involved.