Category Archives: Conservation

Activities, Conservation, National Forests

Inyo National Forest, Eastern Sierra Four Wheel Drive Club Partner for Recreation and Resource Protection

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Volunteers from the Eastern Sierra Four Wheel Drive Club have been lending elbow grease to maintaining and repairing established system roads on the Inyo National Forest.

The club, working on their weekends, provides maintenance for OHV road and trails under the direction of the Inyo National Forest. Their efforts augment the work done by forest staff in ensuring that a high-quality experience can be found on the forest’s OHV system roads.

“The club tries to have fun on these outings, mixing the volunteer work with an opportunity for club members to have an outing and enjoy the beautiful Inyo National Forest,” said Mike Johnston, president of the Eastern Sierra Four Wheel Drive Club. “The result is increased sense of stewardship for areas that many of us already know and love through recreational activities.”

Continue reading →

Conservation, National Forests, News

Rally to oppose National Monument designation of the San Gabriel & San Bernardino Mountains

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Rally will be Monday, October 6, at 2PM in Pasadena

On Monday, the field office of Congresswoman Judy Chu will hear from a growing movement of citizens and elected officials against her lobbying efforts to have 620,000 acres of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains designated as a national monument.

They will deliver letters of opposition to Representative Chu on Monday October 6, 2014 at 2pm. Local groups will speak out against the plan and hold a media event outside Rep Chu’s office at 527 S. Lake Ave, Pasadena CA 91101.

Continue reading →

Conservation, National Forests, News

Public Officials raise concerns about fast-tracked National Monument plan

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Congresswoman Judy Chu currently has a bill, HR4858, being reviewed by a Congressional committee to designate the San Gabriel Mountains as a National Recreation Area, however she hopes to bypass the legislative process and have President Obama declare the mountains a National Monument with an executive order as early as this month without proper studies or public input.

San Bernardino County supervisors unanimously expressed serious concern for the impact of Rep. Chu’s plan on their county. Several Los Angeles County supervisors have also expressed concern over Chu’s legislation. Residents and public officials have created a grassroots movement against Chu’s campaign for further federalization of local lands.

Elected officials independently opposing the National Monument designation are City Council members from the municipalities of Arcadia, Bradbury, Claremont, Diamond Bar, Glendora, La Verne, Monrovia, Rosemead and West Covina.

Continue reading →

Activities, Adventures, Conservation

Trail Life USA and Tread Lightly! announce outdoor preservation partnership

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Trail Life USA (TLUSA) takes another major step in building its outdoor adventure program by announcing a partnership with Tread Lightly!.  Together, Tread Lightly! and TLUSA will promote outdoor education, awareness, and habitat restoration projects that will preserve wilderness lands and teach environmentally friendly practices for all outdoor activities.

“Our partnership will teach outdoor stewardship and provide lasting benefits to our communities,” said Mark Hancock, Chief Operating Officer of TLUSA. “‘To be a good steward of creation’ is a key tenet of our Trailman Oath.”

Continue reading →

Activities, Conservation

Sportsmen’s Priorities Included in 2014 Farm Bill

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

After three long years of debate, the United States Senate passed the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act, also known as the 2014 Farm Bill. This bipartisan legislation enhances and strengthens vital polices important to sportsmen and women across the United States and has been a long time priority of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC).

The 2014 Farm Bill, which passed in the Senate with a vote of 68-32, includes critical provisions to enhance habitat for wildlife, increase access for hunters and anglers, encourage conservation stewardship and protect our forest health. This legislation includes the conservation and sportsmen’s community’s priorities of re-coupling conservation compliance to crop insurance and an important Sodsaver program.

Continue reading →