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Local Environmental, Rec Leaders to Share Skills, Learn Organizing in Boise

GALYAN'S SUPPORTS WINTER WILDLANDS ALLIANCE CONFERENCE FOR GRASSROOTS GROUPS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2002

CONTACT: , 208.386.9227

(BOISE, Idaho) — Grassroots recreation and environmental group leaders from at least 10 states are coming to Idaho this fall for the Winter Wildlands Alliance's first Grassroots Advocacy Skills Conference, which runs Oct. 4-6 at Bogus Basin Ski Resort near Boise.

The first-of-its kind conference will help local groups and individuals form and expand their grassroots efforts to preserve quality human-powered snow sports and recreation in the face of encroaching motor-powered trail use.

The conference, which is attracting attendees from a growing number of states, was made possible in part by the generous support from Galyan's. Winter Wildlands Grassroots Coordinator Sally Ferguson, who is coordinating the three-day event, said Galyan's support was key to organizing the meeting and keeping participant costs at a minimum.

John McCally, director of Promotions and Community Relations for Galyan's, said the conference fits his company's mission of promoting local involvement in recreation issues.

"We are proud to support the work of Winter Wildlands Alliance," McCally said. "Our Pitchin' In program aims to help recreationists in local communities, and the skiers attending the Grassroots Advocacy Skills Conference exemplify those communities. By supporting the type of training and education this conference is offering, we are excited to be a part of ensuring a high quality winter recreation experience for all."

Conflicts between motorized and non-motorized winter recreationists have become more frequent across the country as skiers and snowshoers find more snowmobiles moving into new areas, disrupting the backcountry solitude and in some cases raising safety concerns.

Skier-snowmobile conflicts have arisen in such high-profile areas as Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, but also on forests and other public lands across the North American "snow belt." In a major victory for a leading WWA grassroots group member, the Reno-based Coalition for Safe and Appropriate Winter Sports, the Carson District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest issued an order last week setting aside 70 percent of a popular ski and snowshoe area of the Tahoe Meadows above Lake Tahoe for human-powered snow enthusiasts. The remaining 30 percent was set aside for snowmobilers, whose growing numbers were threatening traditional backcountry skiing near Mount Rose above Lake Tahoe.

Participants from the Tahoe Meadows campaign have signed up for the WWA skills conference, as have leaders of groups from Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, California, Idaho, Colorado and Oregon. More are expected before the registration period expires next month.

During the three-day conference, activists will compare notes to see how conflicts like the ones they're facing have been resolved elsewhere. They'll also learn how to get their messages out and how to use existing laws to protect the rights of human-powered winter recreationists on public lands.

Ferguson said the conference is designed specifically to give attendees the tools needed to build successful groups of their own.

"You'll leave with a better understanding of laws pertaining to snowmobiles, improved advocacy skills, and the resources to build an effective grassroots group and work with the media," Ferguson said.

Ferguson and Winter Wildlands have pulled together experts on U.S. Forest Service management and policies, environmental law, grassroots political organizing, and communications to help local activists better understand their rights as public lands users and the federal government's responsibility to reduce conflicts when human-powered and machine-powered recreationists mix.

Conference speakers include Liz Close, USFS District 4 Intermountain Regional Director of Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness Resources; Sarah Michael, Winter Wildlands Alliance founder and Board President and a county commissioner from Idaho's Blaine County, home of Sun Valley and Ketchum; WWA Board member Kathie Rivers, a Ketchum attorney who has dealt extensively with legal conflicts on public lands; and Stephanie Kruse, a WWA Board member and managing partner at KPS3 Advertising, Public Relations and e-Marketing in Reno, Nev.

Registration for the conference is $100 for WWA members and $125 for non-members, which includes all materials plus food and lodging for the weekend. For more information, visit the Winter Wildlands Alliance website at www.winterwildlands.org or call Sally Ferguson at 208.386.9227

Founded in 2000 by grassroots groups throughout the country, Winter Wildlands Alliance is the only national organization working to protect a quality human-powered winter recreation experience.

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