I have been a ride manager since 1972 and, boy, have I seen lots of changes over the years! In the early years we contacted land managers and told them of our upcoming rides. Most asked that we have proof of insurance and add them to our insurance. Sometimes we discussed the trail route; if we needed a new trail we just did it.

Those days have been over for a long time. Now when you contact your land manager you better have your trails laid out in a manner that uses the currently open system. Yes, you can add new, but you need to be ready for a long process. Even re-opening trails that need rework can take time.

If you have people to work on trails you will be told that when some member of their staff is available they will go out with you and your volunteers to oversee the work. We see a total change when we say we have a Trail Master to organize the work. Usually they ask for a review of the Trail Master's plan, then turn the Trail Master and volunteers loose to get the work done. This is usually much sooner and even better with sustainable trails.

I'll use Fort Stanton, New Mexico, as an example. When AERC first went to Fort Stanton, site of the 2000 National Championship, the BLM had stopped the grazing leases and had the area set aside for recreation. However, it was not being used.

We started with volunteers opening trails. Paul Happel of the BLM wrote a matching partnership grant that was responsible for getting the rest rooms installed. With an AERC trails grant match and an arrangement with the nearby Village of Capitan, potable water was brought to the trailhead and a distribution system was installed. BLM then started promoting the trailhead and many other groups have hosted events at the site.

Through our BLM/AERC partnership and another trails grant, electricity was brought to the trailhead. Bill Murry of the BLM worked with the Village of Capitan for special equipment for this job and a special arrangement with the electric co-op. Working as a team means Fort Stanton now has miles of trails, rest rooms, electricity, and an RV dump station -- all at the trailhead.

The BLM also took over a large bunkhouse that was used by the state university for special projects. This building makes an excellent classroom for Trail Master courses. There are over 100 miles of trails to work on by the students. There is an area where new sustainable trails can be built.

This area is ready to become a prime AERC training center. Bill Murry is our prime contact with the BLM on this great BLM/AERC partnership.

There are many areas around the U.S. that can benefit from this type of teamwork with the BLM, Park Service, or Forest Service. You need to sit down with your counterparts and form a partnership for permanent trails and trailheads.