Volunteer Service Reporting
Volunteerism is one of the most important activities Back Country Horsemen can use in our effort to perpetuate enjoyable common sense use of horses in the backcountry. A central point of our mission statement is to assist government agencies in maintenance and management of public lands.
By using our time and resources, we help insure that public land remains open to recreational stock use by earning a seat at the table where we can influence the decisions concerning access to public lands by pack and saddle stock users.
The value of being able to speak with public lands managers from the position of having provided volunteer service cannot be overstated whether it is on the local ranger district or in Washington D.C.
By using our time and resources, we help insure that public land remains open to recreational stock use by earning a seat at the table where we can influence the decisions concerning access to public lands by pack and saddle stock users.
The value of being able to speak with public lands managers from the position of having provided volunteer service cannot be overstated whether it is on the local ranger district or in Washington D.C.
Collecting Volunteer & Education Hours: Why and How
It is important to understand that the value of the volunteer service goes beyond trail work hours. It also includes time members devote to engagement in the management planning process. Other reported expenses like travel time, stock use, stock and equipment hauling, and in-kind donations add to the value of our volunteer service.
The 21 year total of BCHA volunteer service of $139,805,692 million is a value that gives BCHA national representatives significant leverage when engaging with the Public Land management agencies and other user groups in policy discussions about trail access and maintenance. It is much harder for trails to be closed to pack and saddle stock use when we are providing a large portion of the effort to keep them open.
The 21 year total of BCHA volunteer service of $139,805,692 million is a value that gives BCHA national representatives significant leverage when engaging with the Public Land management agencies and other user groups in policy discussions about trail access and maintenance. It is much harder for trails to be closed to pack and saddle stock use when we are providing a large portion of the effort to keep them open.
What Hours Are Needed
The BCHA Board in conjunction with multiple land managers has asked for the following to be reported:
- All volunteer trail work done on public land
- Included are any work or meetings held in preparation that will lead to trail work or trail preservation;
- Any meetings with agencies where recreational trail usage or maintenance is discussed;
- Phone calls discussing trail preservation or maintenance with managers;
- It does not include private lands such as private timberlands unless they will eventually become public lands.
- Stock and equipment usage
- Vehicle mileage and travel time