The Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) have signed a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) in an effort to cooperatively construct and expand supportive work projects and educational programs that will encourage recreational equestrian activities on National Forest System lands nationwide.
The MOU enables the two organizations, if willing, to assist one another in the design and implementation of educational programs in an effort to increase public awareness about land use stewardship and conservation, recreation and the responsible use of natural resources relating to equestrian and recreational use. In addition, beneficial work projects like trail development, construction, maintenance and preservation ventures can also be proposed.
The MOU is a tool exclusively available to current ELCR Conservation Partners; a national membership program for organizations in which the Partners and their members play a critical role in educating horsemen across the country about the immediate need to conserve land for equine-related activity. The MOU between the FS and the ELCR is not intended for general distribution.
A copy of the MOU is available to the Conservation Partners and can be accessed online through the ELCR website Bulletin Board, under Model Forms. Once armed with the MOU agreement, Conservation Partners can present the document to their local Forest Service official and recommend that the two groups work together. If an agreement is reached, local Forest Service officials will work closely with ELCR Conservation Partners in that area to pursue the purposed opportunities.
ELCR CEO, Deb Balliet recognizes the MOU’s potential value. “The ELCR is excited about the opportunities that could result from this document and I strongly encourage our Conservation Partners to take advantage of the resources made available to them when pursuing work projects on National Forest System lands,” Balliet said.
For more information on becoming an ELCR Conservation Partner, or to get involved in equine land and trail conservation in your community, please visit www.elcr.org or contact ELCR directly at (859) 455-8383.