Thursday, October 27, 2011

Landmark Ruling on National Forest Roadless Areas

October 27, 2011

The 2001 Roadless Rule, promulgated by the Clinton administration, was reinstated and affirmed recently in a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision.  This puts to rest years of litigation and uncertainty about a policy that now protects nearly 50 million acres of undeveloped Forest Service lands nation-wide.  The decision overturned a lower court ruling and affirmed that the rule is the law of the land.
Colorado's seven National Forests, with roadless areas displayed.
© Connor Bailey, Sothern Rockies Ecosystem Project
This historic decision protects outstanding opportunities in our forests for hikers, climbers, bikers and other human-powered forms of recreation.  The rule forbids logging, road building and development in inventoried roadless areas.

This ruling affects the national policy.  The state of Colorado has been working with the Forest Service on a draft rule that would only apply to forests within Colorado.  This process is between draft and final forms, so until such a process is complete, the national rule applies here in Colorado.  The future of the Colorado rulemaking process is unclear in light of this decision, but the Department of Natural Resources has indicated that the process will continue.  

Stay tuned for how this shakes out, but, for now, let’s celebrate a great victory for the wildlands of our National Forests!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

High fives for YEP Volunteers (this month only)


No seriously Ryan Johns, YEP Program Manager, will be giving out FREE* high fives to anyone who volunteers for a Youth Education Program.  That right we said FREE*.  We have had a lot of help recently and we really appreciate it.  Our programs literally don’t run if we don’t get your help.  YOU ROCK!



Here is a list of programs coming up that we need help with.  Please take a minute and look over the list and let me know if you are available and I will get you signed up.  If you are available for the REI programs please let us know ASAP so that we can tell REI. 

There are a lot of dates here.  Please read it carefully and email Ryan to let him know what you are available for.

We need help on the following days:

Thursday, November 3rd – 3 volunteers needed at the wall from 1:15-4:30

Monday, November 7th – We need one volunteer to help spot students slacklining at their school from 12-4pm

Tuesday, November 8th – We need one volunteer to help spot students slacklining at their school from 12-4pm

Wednesday November 9th – 5 Volunteers needed from 3:45-5:15

Friday November 11th – 5 Volunteers at the climbing wall from 8:45 – 1:15

Monday, November 14th – 5th graders climbing at the REI Pinnacle wall in Denver.  10:15 – 2:30

Wednesday November 16th - 5 Volunteers needed from 3:45-5:15

Friday November 18th – 4 Volunteers needed 3:15-5:45

Tuesday, November 22nd – 5 wall volunteers needed from 9:45-1:15

Monday November 28th – 2 sessions
·         5 volunteers at the wall from 8:45-1:15
·         5 wall volunteers needed from 3:45-5:45

Wednesday, November 30th - 5 Volunteers needed from 3:45-5:15

Thanks so much for helping our YEP program! Feel free to share this post with your friends too!

*free high fives are dispensed upon actual arrival on dates confirmed. Simply signing up for a class does not guarantee a high five.