Audubon Society Blocks Trail Grant Money for SOS

[KTMrad 508]

These pro-environment groups are mainly money making machines ! Please read below and make a phone call to the Audubon Society......

Stewards Awarded Grant to Help Maintain Trails-but Blocked by Audubon

GREAT NEWS Stewards have been approved for two grants this year totaling about $23,000. Until now Stewards has self funded our incredibly successful Trail Appreciation program maintaining almost 2000 miles of trail in Sequoia.

However in order to receive the funding Stewards members will need to provide about $38,000 in matching volunteers and equipment. This means we will need more volunteers than ever for these trail projects, but it also means every hour you volunteer will help fund even more trail work. Hope you can help out.

HOWEVER THERE IS A DARK CLOUD. The Kern Audubon Society filed a letter apparently objecting to funding one project because these trails allow all forms of recreation including motorized use. So the funding will be contingent on legal counsel determining if there is any basis for Audubon's objections.

Actually this funding comes from the self funded OHV registration fees, so it clearly should be spent on trals that allow motorized use, but Audubon's meddling brings up many important issues.

•Audubon is a conservation organization so why are they objecting to Stewards doing conservation projects which would reduce the impacts of recreation trails and keep trails open and enjoyable for everyone. Seems like Audubon should be supporting Stewards award winning conservation efforts like the Forest Service, BLM, State and County do.

•It is pretty clear that Audubon has an agenda to restrict recreation access to your public lands.

•Why is a publicly funded organization like Audubon blocking trail maintenance on public lands?

•According to Audubon's tax return they made $1 billion dollars last year with an increase in $130 million in assets. With that kind of money one would hope Audubon could be funding trail conservation programs like Stewards of the Sequoia.

Give Audubon Society a call 800-542-2748 and politely let them know what you think about Kern Audubon Society blocking non profit conservation organizations like Stewards of the Sequoia from getting funding to augment our vollunteer programs on public lands.

Post your thoughts on their Facebook page for their members to see.

The public has a right to recreate on their public lands. Why is Kern Audubon Society attempting to increase impacts by blocking trail maintenance on your public lands?

More Money For Your Trails!

As you just read Stewards can receive up to $23,000 to help fund our much needed Piute Trail Preservation Project which will clear downed trees to make trails passable and install water bars to reduce erosion. However we need your help to provide the matching volunteer work or we will not get the funding. We will be adding dates once we get a feel for when the snow will be melted off probably in May or June

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER and help volunteer so we can get match funding

2013 Spring Trail Appreciation Schedule

2/9/13

3/9/13

3/23/13

4/13/13

4/27/13

5/4/13

5/18/13

You can learn more at http://stewardsofthesequoia.org/events-schedule

Becoming More Effective at Keeping Trails Open

The best tool for clearing downed trees and brush is a chain saw. We can increase our ability to maintain trails if we can get more volunteers certiffied to operate a chain saw.

Stewards have arranged for the Forest Service to hold a one day chain saw certification class to train our members. We are looking for members who not only have the day for the chain saw class, but also have at least five days a year to volunteer on the trails and use their training.

You will need to have a valid Red Cross First Aid Certificate in order to take the chain saw class. The Red Cross probably offers a First Aid course in your town, but the Forest Service is willing to hold one in Lake Isabella on a Saturday if there is enough interest.

Please click here to find out more and be put on the list for the chain saw class on a date we will choose based on everyones availability.

This is a rare opportunity to be trained so you can be more effective helping your trails

Sequoia Forest Service Begins Revision of their 1988 Forest Plan

Yes yet another plan. While this is not a trail plan like the ones we have been working on with the Sequoia Forest since 2005, it can impact future trails. The Forest Plan will guide the direction of future forest projects. These upcoming meetings are a great opportunity for Stewards members to meet Forest Supervisor and his Staff. If you can attend please be sure to introduce yourself and let them know you are a Stewards of the Sequoia member who wants to see trails remain open to everyone.

Sequoia National Forest, CA – The Sequoia National Forest is one of three national forests in the Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest Service to begin the process of revising its 1988 Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan), implementing the new 2012 National Forest System Planning Rule (Planning Rule). Stewards was extremely involved helping to identify problems with the new Planning Rule and working to help ensure it was reasonable.

“The Planning Rule establishes a three phase process for Forest Plans that is science-based and developed collaboratively with stakeholders who are interested in the management of national forests”, Forest Plans will seek to deliver stronger protections for forests, water, and wildlife while supporting the economic vitality of our rural communities. This planning effort will provide opportunities for public involvement and collaboration throughout all stages of the planning process.

Forest Supervisor, Kevin B. Elliott would like to invite anyone interested in learning more, to attend

•February 7, Thursday, Supervisors Office Porterville, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

•February 8, Friday, Oddfellows Hall Kernville, 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Each workshop will consist of presentations and opportunities for questions and answers regarding the Forest Plan Revision process. An initial orientation will address, the Forest Plan Revision process followed by a presentation on the Collaboration and Communication Plan for the Plan Revision effort. The second half of the workshop will be an interactive format.

Participants will have an opportunity to work with members of the planning team.

The Sequoia National Forest is committed to open dialogue through collaboration, improving transparency, and strengthening the role of public involvement in the forest planning process.

For more information about the workshops or the planning process, visit www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia, or ourforestplace.ning.com. If you have special needs in order to participate, please contact Mary Chislock, Public Affairs Officer at: (559) 784-1500, or e-mail mchislock@fs.fed.us.

SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL BUSINESS

4700 Lake Isabella Blvd

760 379-4631

http://www.lmlumber.com/

L&M Lumber in Lake Isabella offers a very complete line of hardware store items, household goods, fireplaces as well as tool rental and more

Support the local businesses that support keeping your trails open and tell them thanks for supporting