[bulldozer]

The "why do we hate the Sierra Club" thread over in gen 4x4 got me to thinking. What's a good environmental organization that advocates keeping trails open while at the same time advocating conservation? I'm not looking for org's that ONLY care about keeping trails open. (I'm sure that to some of you, this is the only issue) I'm also looking for conservation beyond Tread Lightly!

[Rant on]
I believe that if a trail is open today, it should remain open. At the same time, I think that if a new trail is to be built it should be done in a way to minimize the environmental impact. I've built miles upon miles of mtn bike/hiking/equestrian trails in CO and we always build them in such a way as to make them last as long as possible and to blend in with the surrounding area. I'm not really sure what this points out other than the fact that I care about what we do to the land.

I believe that wilderness areas are a necessary part of not only our heritage but also our future generations. There is such a thing as land that serves no other purpose than to be enjoyed. I believe in Tread Lightly! and picking up after ourselves. I think that people that drive off trail for fun are jack asses. I believe that some animals would go extinct even if humans weren't around. I believe that some people blindly support organizations (SC) without having a clue what they're really about and the tactics that they use to close OUR lands. I think it's important to remember that what we do today impacts what goes on tomorrow. I believe there oughta be a constitutional amendment outlawing astroturf and the designated hitter...is anyone even listening still...???
[Rant off]

So, am I just a day-dreaming, wishy-washy fence sitter that thinks that you can have it both ways? Or, is there an organization out there that I can support in good conscience? Does what I've said make me a tree hugger? Aren't tree huggers people too??? Am I part of the problem???

Please, find it in your hearts to help me out here.

 

[YellowSub1962]

with a name like bulldozer I don't know if i should take this post seriously.....

on the off chance you're serious, what you wrote above classifies you into the same group as 99% of the four wheeling community. We all know there are places that shouldn't be driven in. But at the same time we also realize there are places that can be conserved while being used. Blue Ribbon Coalition, United Four Wheel Drive Assoc, Alliance for America, People for the USA, USA All, and several others all care about the environment, while preserving multiple use access to public lands....

I'm not sure you'll find a group that actively publically endorses "conservation" because this can too easily be used by the Anti-Access groups and turned against us. What you will find is that they will never condem conservation if it is for the right reasons, just as you nor I wouldn't.... unfortunately in todays green movement, I hardly think you'll find any org will push conservation for the right reasons...




:usa:

 

[bulldozer]

Don't let my user name fool you. It has nothing to do with my offroad style.

Yes, my post was serious. It must not have come out that way. In more ways than one I think my post just shows my ignorance. I have no clue what land access org's are out there that still advocate more than just keeping trails open. Sometimes I feel that's the only issue to wheelers. For me, it's more than that.

I suppose I was also ignorant of the fact that I feel the same way as "99% of the four wheeling community." When I see the same 99% lash out against the Sierra Club so emotionally I can't help but wonder what they truly believe. Your comment about openly advocating "conservation" makes a lot of sense. I guess now I just need to do some research into the org's that you listed to find which one I fit in with.

 

[landusepbb]

with a name like bulldozer I don't know if i should take this post seriously.....

on the off chance you're serious, what you wrote above classifies you into the same group as 99% of the four wheeling community. We all know there are places that shouldn't be driven in. But at the same time we also realize there are places that can be conserved while being used. Blue Ribbon Coalition, United Four Wheel Drive Assoc, Alliance for America, People for the USA, USA All, and several others all care about the environment, while preserving multiple use access to public lands....

I'm not sure you'll find a group that actively publically endorses "conservation" because this can too easily be used by the Anti-Access groups and turned against us. What you will find is that they will never condem conservation if it is for the right reasons, just as you nor I wouldn't.... unfortunately in todays green movement, I hardly think you'll find any org will push conservation for the right reasons...




:usa:

Personally i would highly recommend BRC and People for the USA, they are slightly broader in scope than the others. Also, depending on where you live you may want to check out a regional group such as SWFWDA.

 

[YellowSub1962]

Don't let my user name fool you. It has nothing to do with my offroad style. I had a feeling that was it, but with the recent influx of idiots to this board, I had to quantify my statement.. no offense meant


Yes, my post was serious. It must not have come out that way. In more ways than one I think my post just shows my ignorance. I have no clue what land access org's are out there that still advocate more than just keeping trails open. Sometimes I feel that's the only issue to wheelers. For me, it's more than that.

for ALL of us it's more than that, but we are forced by the extremists (media, GAGs, Politicians, etc.) to expend our resources to always "play catchup" by stopping the latest lawsuit or trying to reopen and area, or counter sue the BLM or USFS for "settling" lawsuits from the gags or because they didn't follow procedure when closing something or doing whatever study..... this forces us to only be in the media light "fighting" the greens, not involved in "conservation" which we are involved with everytime everyone of us steps foot out of our homes...

I suppose I was also ignorant of the fact that I feel the same way as "99% of the four wheeling community." When I see the same 99% lash out against the Sierra Club so emotionally I can't help but wonder what they truly believe. Your comment about openly advocating "conservation" makes a lot of sense. I guess now I just need to do some research into the org's that you listed to find which one I fit in with.

Don't worry about the internet sc bashers, 99.9% of them are just venting and would not "act" this way to a real life scer....most of us (if not all) would stop to render aid to anyone that needed it on the trail, even if it were a group of scers.... also consider into the fact (as Ed's post in the "hate sc thread" points out) the vast majority of us have no problem with hikers or the sc's (when it was formed) original ideas. It's the leaders of the sc that we have a problem with and their socialist agendas......

:usa: