The US Forest Service has notified us that the road and trails are now open for the season. As always, watch for fallen trees, debris, and rutting which may have occurred over the winter.
Please stay on the designated trails, passing through wet and muddy sections with enough momentum to carry you through… but please be mindful of wheel spin to minimize erosion.
Our friends at Volunteer Outdoors Colorado and the Grand Junction BLM Field Office are hosting a trail project this weekend.
The project is a trail connection in the Bookcliffs north of Fruita. The trail–which will be open to dirt bikes, mountain bikes, horses, and hikers–is nearing completion. When finished, it will provide long-distance loop trail opportunities and an alternative to a busy gravel county road. Volunteers will help in the construction of this important trail.
This is a great way to get involved is some really great trail work! To sign up visit the link below.
Volunteer Outdoors
fw.civicore.com
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado – Build trails, plant trees, battle invasive species or restore habitat. Make an extraordinary impact on Colorado.
News Release
For Immediate Release: April 18, 2013
Contacts: Sam Logan 720-684-9960
Stay The Trail Receives Outstanding Trail Sharing Award
DENVER, Colo. – The American Trails Program recently recognized the Stay The Trail program with the 2013 Outstanding Trail Sharing Award. The Outstanding Trail Sharing Award recognizes innovative and successful trail sharing efforts, programs, and systems.
Stay The Trail was recognized with this nationally prestigious award for working with state organizations, federal land managers, environmental groups and Off-Highway Vehicle enthusiasts to promote ethical and responsible trail use in Colorado.
Since 2002, the Stay The Trail OHV Education program has been focused on encouraging responsible recreation on public lands within the State of Colorado. The Stay The Trail program is a model for the entire nation as well as other countries. Many of the website and outreach materials have been used by other states and national organizations, including Montana, Arizona, New Mexico and organizations like Tread Lightly.
The mission of Stay The Trail Colorado is to encourage the responsible use of the roads and trails that are open to motorized recreation in Colorado. Stay The Trail Colorado is a partnership between the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition, Responsible Recreation Foundation, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, USDA Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management and numerous OHV clubs from Colorado. It is funded through the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Registration Program and support from Polaris, and Yamaha.
For more information on “Stay The Trail” go to www.staythetrail.org
See attached photo.
Caption: American Trails Chair Bob Searns presents award to RRF Director Valerie Douglas and Stay The Trail Program Coordinator Sam Logan
Responsible Recreation Foundation
Board of Directors
Solicitation of Interest – March, 2013
The Responsible Recreation Foundation (RRF) is seeking applicants to serve on its volunteer Board of Directors. We are currently seeking three members from the motorized recreation community to serve on the Board with the responsibility of overseeing the Responsible Recreation Campaign and its flagship Stay The Trail educational program, as well as other projects. The RRF is looking for individuals who can contribute unique skills and experience that will promote personal accountability and stewardship of roads and trails open to motorized recreation on the public lands of Colorado..
If you have the desire, the vision, the skills and the time to devote to the Responsible Recreation Foundation, we ask that you submit a resume outlining your experience, your vision for the future, and your understanding of the issues facing motorized recreation nationally, with emphasis on Colorado. Please send your expression of interest to Josh McMahon atJosh@StayTheTrail.org.
The Board of Directors will evaluate candidates and select individuals to interview. I hope you will consider the opportunity and accept the challenge to lead exciting and award winning programs unique to Colorado! Please visit the staythetrail.org website for additional information.
Desired Qualifications
The RRF’smission is to reinforce and highlight responsible OHV use, and to modify and mitigate irresponsible use in an effort to minimize resource damage on public land. Our goal is to create a statewide culture of responsible OHV use which will continue beyond the life of the project, effectively creating a stewardship ethic among all Colorado OHV recreationists., Directors need to exhibit a diverse and unique range of skills, qualities, and qualifications. These include:
• An active and personal appreciation for public lands.
• Experience serving on a non-profit board.
• A personal and professional network of community leaders in business, government, outdoor
recreation and/or environmental stewardship.
• The proven ability to work collaboratively and productively with a diverse range of people and groups.
• A desire to be an evangelist for the organization and a proponent of responsible recreation on roads and trails open to motorized recreation with the goal of protecting natural resources.
• Important and relevant skills that can expand the organization’s capabilities.
• The time to commit to leading a non-profit organization through the challenges of growth.
Responsible Recreation Foundation:
Board of Directors – Position Description
Position Title: Member, Board of Directors
Function: Provide governance to the organization, represent it to the community and accept the ultimate legal authority for it.
Overview:
The RRF Board of Directors will be instrumental in developing essential decisions that shape the organization. The Board will be very involved and shape the tone and direction of the organization in subsequent years.
Duties: Service as a member of the Board of Directors comes with duties and responsibilities.
Duty of Care: exercise reasonable caution in making decisions by using your best judgment, actively participating, and asking the right questions.
Duty of Loyalty: put aside personal and professional interests for the good of the organization.
Duty of Obedience: stay true to the organization’s mission, so that activities and use of funds are consistent with stated purpose.
Responsibilities:
Planning:
• Develop, review and approve the organization’s philosophy and review management’s performance in achieving it.
• Annually assess the environment and approve the organization’s plans for funding its strategy.
• Develop, review and approve the organization’s five-year financial goals.
• Annually review and approve the organization’s budget.
• Develop and approve major policies.
Organization:
• Hire, monitor, appraise, advise, support, reward, and, when necessary, change staff.
• Be assured that management succession is properly being provided.
• Be assured that the status of the organizational strength and manpower planning is
equal to the requirements of the long-range goals.
• Approve appropriate compensation and benefit policies and practices for staff.
• Recruit candidates for the Board and fill vacancies as needed.
• Annually approve the performance review of the staff and establish his/her compensation.
• Lead, participate in and oversee board and working committees.
• Annually review the performance of the board and take steps to improve its performance.
Operations:
• Network and conduct outreach in the community to achieve organization’s goals.
• Conduct fundraising and revenue generating activities to support the operations of the organization.
• Oversee and participate in media relations and communications for the organization.
• Conduct volunteer outreach and oversight.
• Review the results achieved by the staff as compared with the organization’s philosophy, annual and long-range goals, and the performance of similar organizations.
• Be certain that the financial structure of the institution is adequate for its current needs and its long-range strategy.
• Provide candid and constructive criticism, advice, and comments.
• Approve major actions of the organization, such as capital expenditures and major program and service changes.
Audit:
• Be assured that the board and its committees are adequately and currently informed, through reports and other methods, of the condition of the organization and its operations.
• Be assured that published reports properly reflect the operating results and financial condition of the organization.
• Ascertain that management has established appropriate policies to define and identify conflicts of interest throughout the organization, and is diligently administering and enforcing those policies.
• Appoint independent auditors subject to approval by members.
• Review compliance with relevant material laws affecting the organization.
Meeting
The Board of Directors will hold a regular monthly meeting around the Denver metro area to conduct important business. Phone and video conferencing are possible options for the right candidates. Additional meetings with the Board of Directors may be required to address specific projects or issues. Outside meetings with the community and other organizations will frequently be part of Board Member’s responsibilities.
Rampart Range Road Gate Opening for 2013 (Update)
Rampart Range is reporting that there is still quite a bit of “winter” remaining up there, so the trails will remain closed until probably around May 10th. Of course that is always subject to change depending on weather. Stay tuned for more information as we hear it.
For additional information visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices
