Wilsons Sandbox

Jake Ask me to post this message as an idea for other parts of the country. A way to help preserve our off-road riding areas. A couple of friends and I are volunteering with the US Forest Service in Utah as "Goodwill Riders". We patrol the trails and promote goodwill for Off-road vehicles. In our group we have ATVers, horsemen, and 3 motorcyclist. The Forest Service gives us a pass for the area, identifying vest and a Forest Service radio to report any problems or call for help in emergency situations. We are not enforcement patrollers. We talk to other riders, hikers and trail users. We give out maps and helpful advice. If we see people riding off the trail or abusing priveleges, we try to talk to them as peers, remind them what the law is and advice them that we saw rangers in the area (if they are breaking laws). In this manner we are extra eyes and ears for the Forest Service. We are building a good relation with the Forest Service. The FS believes that the users (especially new ATVers) listen to non- threatening experienced off-roaders better than their officers. Through the experience of my friends and my own, we believe they are correct. Anyway, it is one small thing that can make a big difference in keeping our riding areas opened or having them closed. Utah is under heavy attack by the ecology groups. We need all trail users to work together to keep our riding areas open. Besides, we are going riding anyway, with this program, it is not any harder to promote "goodwill" when we ride, in fact is fun working with the Forest Service and talking to the trail users. If you want more information on what we are doing so that you might develop "Goodwill Riders" in your area you can email me at joebarkerut@...