Conference 2000: SETC 2000 focused on individual state achievements and working relationships with public land managers in this May 6-11 seminar at Clemson University, South Carolina. A working group also convened to discuss formally and informally the need for a national trails advocacy group. L. Gail Gartside, Trails Coordinator, attended at the invitation of the SETC 2000 Chair, Dr. Gene W. Wood.
What is SETC? Following the much applauded Clemson University 1998 National Symposium on Equestrian Trails in Forest Ecosystems, the southern states equestrians organized the Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference to correspond to the boundaries of Region 8 ( Southern Region), U.S. Forest Service. The 13 states included are Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
(www.clemson.edu/trails/setc/2000/)
The goals of SETC are to 1) meet periodically to keep its members informed on trail issues, and 2) become a force that influences trail policies on public lands in the southeast. Under the quite awesome leadership of Dr. Gene W. Wood, Extension Trails Specialist, School of Natural Resources, Clemson University, many of the southeastern states equestrians are already a force within their respective areas.
Organizing National Equestrian Trail Advocacy: The central question is "What organization, if any, will provide the national leadership for trails advocacy by lobbying and other interactions with federal land agencies.?" Dr. Wood stated that equestrian representation during the policy planning and formulation stages of federal governmental land management and regulatory agencies is more crucial than trying to influence later legislature and/or change administrative decisions. A voice for equestrians is missing from these critical early planning sessions.
1) Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHO) was represented by Dr. Mylon Filkins, DVM. Since its national organization in 1979, BCHO has established its reputation as a tireless source of volunteer effort, education and trail expertise with public land managers. Over $3 million has been contributed to the U.S. Forest Service alone. Chapters are primarily in the western states, the national Board of Directors is quite hesitant about any national proliferation of chapters and their related ability to provide the necessary educational and other inherent support activities. By charter, BCHO has a narrow focus which has been a major factor in its success. BCHO does not currently foresee changing or extending their current purpose and focus.
2) Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) was represented by Kandee Haertel, Executive Director. Quite new, ELCR was established by U.S. Pony Club national leaders to address the issues of disappearing open land for equestrian use. Its primary functions are to serve as a clearinghouse for information related to conservation of land for equestrian related purposes, to conduct education and outreach programs and to work as liaison with equestrian, conservation and other user groups to increase awareness about open space loss and cooperative efforts.
Emphasis of this organization is on the key word "RESOURCE" in its name and its intent to provide educational material on land issues. ELCR by tax status and design currently does not have a stated objective to focus on influencing national land use policy by lobbying and related activities.
3) American Endurance Ride Conference(AERC) was represented by Jerry Fruth, Chair, National Trails Program. AERC is very concerned about the future of equestrian trails and has experienced closures of some long standing endurance rides. As the organizational and certifying body for endurance rides nationally, AERC appears willing to be involved in a national trails advocacy movement.
4) American Horse Council (AHC) was invited. No representation was present. Various attendees voiced their concern that AHC does not appear motivated to address any equestrian issues that are not related to the racing industry.
Conclusion: It was the unanimous conviction of the attendees that equestrians must have a national trails advocacy group willing to represent our interests in federal policy formulation, planning and lobbying at the national level. Additionally, it was the consensus that such a group does not presently exist.
Trends on Recreational Land Users: Elizabeth Estill, Ph.D., Regional Forester, Region 8 was the keynote speaker, she stressed that the most important factor is our ever increasing population and burgeoning pressures on recreational land. The eastern United States has the highest population density; there are 7 people per acre versus 3 acres per person in the western U.S. Urban sprawl eats up 500 acres per day, pastoral settings around the large cities are disappearing into housing and other developments.
Estill noted that recreation styles are changing, that hunting and fishing is declining and expected to decrease 14% in the next 20 years while "soft" adventures (includes horseback riding) will increase 43%.
Ken Cordell, Ph.D., Forest Service Research, Southern Project, U.S. Forest Service stated that the growth of horseback riding has accelerated in the the late 90's.; there are 23.1 million riders nationally, a 45.3% increase in less than twenty years.
(www. srs.fs.fed.us/recreation/equestrian.PDF)
Cordell explained that one term used in recreational studies is Enthusiatics which are the most active one third of recreational users; such compile 60-90% of all activity days in any category. Enthusiatics are usually under 25 or in their 30's, college educated and most are men. Equestrians are classified as Enthusiatics and have the highest total use days (94) of any group.
Once again, trailriders defy the statistical trend analysis as most are middle aged, and women are in the slight majority. (Author's whimsical note: Can you see the headline? Middle Aged horsewomen demand equal access with young male hikers and bikers!! )
User Conflicts and the Land Manager: Traditional public land users were hikers, picnickers, swimmers, campers, fishermen, etc. State and federal land managers become accustomed to designing programs and activities toward these groups. Equestrians should be considered traditional land users . . . . but, have only come forth in the last 10-15 years.
Special interest groups have arisen with new technology and life styles; such includes mountain bikers, kayakers, rock climbers, hang gliders, etc. These users desire public land access for their activities. Ironically, equestrians are usually considered as one of these emerging special interest groups.
Environmentalists have injected themselves into the land management process as a self appointed guardian and savior, demanding cessation or restriction of all or most recreational activities in so called natural areas. Natural areas are usually also defined by environmentalist demands and legal action.
It's a balancing act for public land managers. Many state and national parks are over developed. There is insufficient money and land to meet all needs/demands. Many user groups -- and especially, the environmentalists -- are uncompromising and demanding. Traditional users are quite resistant to any diminution of their land use, it's a "We were here first" attitude. Land managers welcome unified groups that volunteer time and effort, work toward constructive solutions and respect the needs of other user groups.
Think Equestrian Heritage and Tradition: One bright , articulate young public land manager from Mississippi in an informal evening conversation stated "You horse people have to stop hugging your horse and get organized." Usually, movement toward unity and then, organization by any group is created by the perception of a common external threat. That threat is here and it's real. It isn't just trails . . . it's land access, open land for stables, rodeo arenas, polo fields and many equestrian endeavors. Getting the word out, spreading the message is a major task.
Self definition is critical. Who the heck are we? "Well, golly, we are people who like and own horses." isn't good enough, it does not explain our motivation to others. The general public loves horses, horses are in the number two position right behind dogs in human attachment. But . . . not everyone own horses and trailrides. What motivates us?
In the 1995 survey of trailriders completed by the Missouri Equine Council in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Conservation, the number one motivation for trailriding was to be with nature. The horse is our vehicle to be in a natural resource setting.
And most of you ride horses because of a sense of heritage, of tradition. Horses and mules provide a valuable linkage to the past, today folds into yesteryear on horseback, shadows of our pioneer forefathers touch us gently through the filtered forest sunlight. You can hear their distant voices at evening campfires. We speak of this among ourselves in hushed, reverent tones. We like to visit remnants of early settler cabins, jonquils and iris in the woods that mark old homesites, cemeteries with headstones weathered and chipped. We must speak of this to others, this cultural heritage, these traditions.
The federal government recognizes the importance of cultural heritage. According to Dr. Gene W. Wood, the Wilderness Act has provisions relating to cultural heritage in a natural resource setting. Our self definition includes our cultural heritage, a love of tradition and nature. We do need some work to express these feelings, these motivations to others.
And with self definition, we can determine our goals . . . the vision for our future with horses and mules.
SETC Lessons: Many of the SETC lessons have been outlined. Perhaps, the most important lesson has been saved for last. Florida, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee each presented a Trails panel. Each of these panels included trailriders and public land managers from that respective state, working together in harmony to insure recreational land access. SETC works.
The rest of us have much work to do!!