Remember the February story about BCH Washington member Tom Faubion having a deal for you: he will GIVE you a refurbished crosscut saw if you agree to use it clearing trails?

Tom produced 28 saws for distribution in March. Darrell dropped off seven saws on his drive to the NBM in Casper, Wyoming, then handed out a dozen saws to people present at the meeting, and shipped the rest via USPS (all had hose sheaths and were wrapped in cardboard). 

Now it’s time for Phase 2. First, Tom and Darrell are looking for more saws to recondition. Any rusty old hulk is probably worthy of shipping to Tom for inspection, but if you really have doubts, send Darrell a photo. BCH Washington obtained limited funding to pay for shipping, so it will cost you nothing to donate a crosscut saw to Phase 2. PLEASE look in Grandpa’s old barn, or try to talk a collector out of an ugly looking saw. We have promises of a few from BCH Montana members, and two from Washington members, already.

A few late requests for a saw have now been assigned to Phase 2, and will be filled as soon as Tom finishes more saws. In order to apply for one or more saws, OR if anyone has questions about donating a rusty old saw, contact Darrell Wallace dlwallace700@gmail.com.  

DOWNLOAD PDF HERE

Last month, the Outdoor Alliance and 34 outdoor recreation organizations and businesses—including BCHA—submitted a joint request for Congress to fully fund outdoor recreation budgets for the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. You can read our letters to the House and Senate here, where we request $100 million for BLM’s Recreation Resources Management and $70 million for USFS Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness (the agencies’ core recreation accounts).

BCHA encourages you to Take Action! by scrolling to the bottom of the Outdoor Alliance alert and adding your information to the pre-formed letter. We encourage you to personalize the subject line and message (i.e., use your own words), so that your unique letter will be considered by your elected officials in Washington DC as they work to develop agency budgets for Fiscal Year 2025. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF.

Calling all young adults with a passion for trails! Our friends at the Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) have an exciting opportunity for you.

Now is your opportunity to apply to be a PNTS Trail Apprentice! Join a leadership and career exploration program for emerging professionals interested in a career in trails and related fields (conservation, public lands management, history, and more). Through the program, Trail Apprentices will gain leadership, networking, and training opportunities.

Trail Apprentices will:

• Receive a scholarship to attend the 2024 National Trails Workshop in Tucson, AZ (November 17-21, 2024)
• Participate in virtual trainings and activities
• Network with a cohort of peers and established trails professionals

Learn more about the program & apply here by June 17, 2024.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF.

BCHA encourages all members to use the E-Bike Reporting Form and the Horse Camp Incident Form when they see problems.

E-BIKE REPORTING FORM

HORSE CAMP INCIDENT FORM

Hello Members,

BCHA Volunteer Hours Committee has updated the volunteer hours reporting form. The reason for this change is because we feel we are missing out on opportunities through the USFS and other organizations by not providing trail information that you all have volunteered to maintain. By collecting trail names we open the doors for potential grants and other funds paid to BCH states for their time.

The updated form is available by clicking the link below. And please reach out to the volunteer hours committee if you have any questions. volunteer@bcha.org

The new BCHA Expansion Committee is asking for your help. We are working on a State and Chapter resource page for the bcha.org website and we are looking to you all for some ideas. We did this with your State National Directors at the National Board Meeting but now we would like to hear from you, the members. Have you felt engaged and included in your state? What can the states change or do better regarding membership.  We would like some suggestions for ways to bring in new members, and how to keep them and get them engaged.

Please reach out by emailing us at expansion@bcha.org

We all know a “hat trick” refers to a hockey player who scores three goals in one game, right? In keeping with our mission Black Hills BCH members accomplished three “goals” in ONE day on May 18, 2024!

Goal #1- Keeping Trails Open for All – We held our annual work weekend at Iron Creek Horse Camp near Custer, SD where 17 members gathered to clear the trails in the Black Elk Wilderness. Recent high wind events had created numerous blockages on several of the trails. Despite that we managed to clear 19 miles of trail and removed 100+ trees over the course of a 3-day weekend. We also incorporated a crosscut saw certification into the mix and got 8 folks certified and one re-certified. This always a popular event with our group….a time to work and relax together in a beautiful setting despite the many hours spent with a whipsaw. Camaraderie is what its all about!

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE



The Back Country Horsemen of South Carolina held its first annual “Roundup” on the Rocky Gap Trail system in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was a huge success and will become an annual event! This Roundup was made possible with the cooperation of the Rangers in the USFS Sumter National Forest, Andrew Pickens Ranger District. The Roundup was a celebration for our volunteers who tirelessly assist in clearing the gorgeous trails and to introduce this trail system to riders who had never ridden it. The Rocky Gap Trails are located along the Chattooga River that separates South Carolina from Georgia. Past Chair Mike Kinsey also received a special gift for his efforts in founding and leading BCHSC!

TIME TO RENEW YOUR EQUISURE INSURANCE OR SIGN UP FOR THE FIRST TIME

$1,000,000 Coverage for $20 Individual or $40 for a family.

CLICK HERE FOR FAQ



CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

SHARE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

Does your chapter have a trail, project or great story you would like to share? Please send them to michellewade@bcha.org. We will do our best to include them here.



• Please send as Word doc and pictures as attachments not in the word doc.
• Provide description: project, place, purpose, etc.
• Please include the name of person and chapter submitting the pictures.

2024-2025 BCHA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

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