Boulder Outdoor Coalition --
(Please forward this to anyone who you think might be interested.)
The Boulder Area Trails Coalition has recently conducted a couple of brainstorming meetings in which we've asked the question, "What can BATCO (in cooperation with other outdoor recreation groups) do to promote public land management policies that do a better job of balancing environmental preservation, recreation, and land-use goals?"
The good news is that we came up with lots of great ideas. The not so good news is that it's going to take a fair number people to successfully implement these ideas. Still, if we could find a way to work together, there are more than enough people with the skills and enthusiasm to do the work.
People have also suggested repeatedly that BATCO, with its umbrella recreational mission and modest financial resources (from the Map sales), is in a position to act as a focal point in this effort. To encourage people to join BATCO while also remaining members of the other recreation groups, BATCO has also decided to waive all membership dues at this time. So come on, everyone, join up!
We would now like to highlight a number of areas in which people suggested that we could work together to promote awareness of open space management issues and potential solutions.
The Boulder Area Trails Coalition has recently conducted a couple of brainstorming meetings in which we've asked the question, "What can BATCO (in cooperation with other outdoor recreation groups) do to promote public land management policies that do a better job of balancing environmental preservation, recreation, and land-use goals?"
The good news is that we came up with lots of great ideas. The not so good news is that it's going to take a fair number people to successfully implement these ideas. Still, if we could find a way to work together, there are more than enough people with the skills and enthusiasm to do the work.
People have also suggested repeatedly that BATCO, with its umbrella recreational mission and modest financial resources (from the Map sales), is in a position to act as a focal point in this effort. To encourage people to join BATCO while also remaining members of the other recreation groups, BATCO has also decided to waive all membership dues at this time. So come on, everyone, join up!
We would now like to highlight a number of areas in which people suggested that we could work together to promote awareness of open space management issues and potential solutions.
- Routine Attendance and Presentations at OSBT, POSAC, City Council, and Other Meetings -- It was mentioned the Friends of Boulder Open Space is pursuing a program in which they apparently send representatives to all open space-related meetings (including County Commissioners and POSAC). These representatives not only report their observations back to the larger group, they routinely take advantage of open comment periods to highlight issues of concern to their members. It would be really helpful to the cause of trail advocacy if BATCO and BOC member organizations could work together on a similar program, with representatives designated on a rotational basis and a reporting mechanism back to the groups so we'll all know what transpired.
- Get Out! Column -- It was also suggested that BATCO take a more active role in helping the general public get the most out of its open space visits while also helping the public understand how pending management decisions might affect those visits. In this regard it was suggested that we produce, for the website and possibly the Daily Camera, a regular series of articles for the Camera's (now downsized) Get Out! column. For example, we could plan and write up a suggested "BATCO Hike of the Month." We could also ask the public to join us on organized hike/open space management field trips. We're looking for a few willing and charismatic volunteers to help out with this one! If you're interested, please contact any BATCO Board member for more information.
- Impact Assessment -- Also suggested was the need for us to become more involved in the assessment of the environmental impacts of alternative visitation strategies. This could take several forms. We could encourage open-space departments to build much more meaningful public participation components into their various research programs. We could also mobilize our members to help conduct (with or without official participation) systematic environmental monitoring programs. This might, for example, include surveys of compliance with key regulations, monitoring of social trail use (perhaps by building a collection of digital photographs), the documentation of times when parking facilities are unable to meet demand, identification of incipient and inappropriate social trails that ought to be promptly closed, informal patrolling of trails to identify maintenance issues that ought to be promptly addressed (e.g. trash, squatter camps, and trail washouts). We have already begun doing this, and it has been helpful in formulating meaningful responses to some land manager assertions. Any natural scientists or anyone interested in making careful observations among us? We need you!
- Coalition Building -- There was wide recognition of the value of efforts to broaden our coalition by reaching out to local businesses (developers and outdoor recreation businesses, for example), motorized open-space recreation groups (this might require additional thought), snow sports groups, environmental groups, and land management agencies. This outreach effort needs folks good a schmoozing.... but outreach is important and ongoing. Sign up here if this sounds like something you'd like to help with.
- Long-term Planning -- Still another suggestion was that we try to help put together teams of people willing to make a long-term commitment (1-4 years) to monitor and record, on behalf of the larger recreation community, the evolution of policies with respect to a particular area.
- Anything we've missed so far? It's not too late to add your energy and thoughts to this evolving process. Please spread the word that BATCO is working on reinventing itself, and please feel free to attend our regular monthly meetings -- the 4th Monday of every month at REI in Boulder, 7pm. Our next meeting is June 21. We hope you'll join us for this ongoing discussion.
New BATCO Map Now Available!
And a final note: BATCO has just released our new "Trails and Recreation Map of Boulder County." This comprehensive map has been updated to show new trails, new closed areas, rec centers, fishing holes, campgrounds, and dog parks, among many other features. It's the only map that shows who owns what, and gives thoughtful tips on trail etiquette, land management issues, and some colorful information about Boulder County's natural resources and history. It retails for $9.95 and is available via our website at www.bouldertrails.org and at over 80 retail outlets. As you know, proceeds from the sale of this fine product go back out to new trail construction and maintenance throughout Boulder County. If you can think of a new way to sell maps (via your business, a contact at the Board of Realtors, another non-profit, or whatever) please give us a hand. The more maps we sell, the more resources we can donate to trails -- for the advancement of all recreationists.If we can manage to pull off just a few of these ambitious ideas, we could do a lot to advance the interests that we all care about. If you and / or your group are interested in partnering with us on any of these projects, please let us know!
-- The BATCO Board of Directors
Peter Bakwin [ pbakwin@comcast.net ]
Guy Burgess [ burgess@colorado.edu ]
Chris Morrison [ chrismorrison1@attbi.com ]
Mike O'Brien [ mobrien1@dim.com ]
Suzanne Webel [ swebel@earthlink.net ]
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