Earlier this week I was scrolling through Facebook, and I saw this post from Danielle Gonzalez Newman. I knew exactly where she was, because I had been there several times while documenting trails for our Lost Trails Guidebook. 

When the Department of Interior's Administrative Law Judge denied our petition to stay to prevent the recent closures of the trails in Moab, it was denied on grounds that BRC and its members wouldn't be irreparably harmed by the decision to let the BLM obliterate hundreds of miles of roads.

The magic of experiencing a trail you've never explored before is an experience that can't be replicated by traveling a different, well-beaten path nearby. Exploring the roads less traveled is an experience that makes all the difference. 

We started our Lost Trails Guidebook series because we need to do a better job of telling the story of why exploring our public lands is so valuable to us. We're going to need these stories to strengthen our legal position on future travel plans, and we are expecting several more of these plans to be released this year. 

We'll keep finding and sharing our favorite trails, but they're still missing the most important part of the story: You.

Help us get copies of the Lost Trails Guidebook into the hands of more adventurers by sharing losttrailsguidebook.com with your friends, family, clubs, and social media followers. 

Also, we love it when you tag us when you explore new trails. We will continue to get stronger as we unite to protect our shared experiences of exploring our public land.

Defend Your Ground

Ben Burr

Executive Director

The Bureau of Land Management in Southern Arizona is starting the process of another travel management plan. The BLM has conducted a route inventory showing 1,250 miles of current routes. The BLM is looking for public involvement to ensure they aren’t missing routes and to give feedback on the routes they inventoried and their purpose. This area is located southeast of Quartzite, along the Gila River, next to the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge which was put in place to protect Bighorn Sheep. The project area covers over 700,000 acres. This area is accessed for recreation, hunting, grazing, mineral exploration and energy development. Comments will be accepted until February 21, 2024. 

The proposed changes to the Uncompahgre Resource management Plan in western Colorado is a prime example of how 30X30 is being achieved in the United States. Due to a settlement agreement the Uncompahgre Field Office is re-evaluating how lands in the Uncompahgre management area will be managed for wilderness characteristics and areas of critical environmental concern also known as ACEC’s.

This plan will update the 2020 Resource Management Plan for the area. It is located in Delta, Gunnison, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties, Colorado, and encompasses approximately 678,400 acres of public land. Submit a comment below to voice your opposition to adding hundreds of thousands of acres of public land to restrictive management designations:

We're excited to announce that Method Race Wheels is our newest sponsor of the Build Your Dream Rig Sweepstakes. They are donating a set of wheels to the winner, who will be able to select a set of Method Wheels of their choice up to a value of $2600. 

This prize just keeps getting better. This is also one of the best ways you can support BRC and our mission to keep our public lands open for recreation.

We would like to thank Cliffhanger Jeep Rental for supporting the Lost Trails Guidebook.

At Cliffhanger Jeep Rental it is our desire to help make your Jeep and UTV experiences at our four different locations enjoyable and unforgettable! We’ll help create a Jeeping experience that is tailor-made for your enjoyment, great for both novice Jeepers and experienced four-wheel enthusiasts alike.

The BlueRibbon Coalition is excited to announce that the following organizations have recently either donated to our Moab Fight or joined as organization members:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Aztech Materials Testing                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
NM4W   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
We love to see all these businesses and organizations joining the fight! We know that we couldn't do what we do without the support of these organizations. If your business or club isn't on this list: Business/Organization Members, contact us today. As passionate recreation enthusiasts, these clubs and businesses understand the importance of fighting for and protecting our public lands and trails for future generations to enjoy. By renewing their support, they are helping to ensure that the BlueRibbon Coalition can advocate for responsible access to our public lands. We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to our mission and look forward to working together to keep the trails open and accessible for all.            

BlueRibbon Coalition is a 501c3 non-profit organization. We are able to protect your adventures because of charitable contributions from our members and supporters. Please consider making a sustaining contribution to BRC today!