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Re: [RC] Trail Closures a little long but imo important to think about - Karen Sullivan----- Original Message ----- From: <Sheila_Larsen@xxxxxxx> Unfortunately, although horses may be the most natural users of all, I am increasingly concerned about the lack of concern may equestrians have with regard to trail usage............... Many people may look at that see grassland and go what sensitive resources......... I don't see any. Well what they may not be seeing are rare and sensitive plant populations that can't withstand the trampling of hooves or the erosion that may be caused by the now bare soils. Equestrians are not going to make themselves welcome if we partake in this behavior. .................> I guess I just want people to seriously consider the consequences of their actions when they create social trails by riding/hiking/biking off trail and perhaps help educate those that might do so on why they shouldn't. > Man I am scared to hit the send button LOLOL Sheila Sheila, really hard to trim your post since all of it was relevent and important; based both on science and common sense; I support what you said 100%. Sensitive resources deserve to be protected; and if the public is uncaring; and unsensitive, then the trails need seasonal closures, or even permanent ones in some cases. As a member of a small group maintaining and trying to develop more trails in our area, and protect sensiitve areas and the original, badly planned and somewhat fragile trails....we have seen that riders totally ignore both common sense by riding and tearing up trails in the muddy season; make their own trails when trees are down ( by riding up and down very steep banks)...to downright ignoring closure signs planted right in the middle of trail junctions; over and over.... Some trails we initially flagged we moved, due to realization of fragile and mushy areas...we will see what the public does..... From both an avid rider viewpoint, and I hope environmentalist; I value and enjoy riding into natural areas to enjoy the wildlife and native plants; if those are destroyed by inconsiderate users; or invasive exotic plant species...you might as well be riding in a groomed park on graveled hard paths; which does not interest me one bit. What I don't understand about the endurance riders who are anti-environment or just don't care about damage inflicted, or natural ecosystems........well, they might as well ride 100 miles on a dirt frontage road along a freeway.....or go around a racetrack a million times....and they spoil the sport for everyone else. Karen =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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