We love our sport of fourwheeling but it seems we are constantly under attack by extreme preservationists bent on denying us access to our public lands. There are literally millions of acres of publicly owned lands in the United States that have been set aside for preservation and recreational use. Some of these areas are rightfully designated as wilderness areas. However, a large number of them were intended, and should be classified as multiple-use areas for everyone to use to enjoy their recreational sport..... be it camping, hiking, backpacking, boating, biking, climbing, fourwheeling, etc.

The extreme preservationists want to see all such activities removed from our public lands, and we have to fight back to see that their goals are stopped. Become active in helping to save threatened fourwheeling areas from being shut down. Help out by calling and writing to your representatives and those assigned the duty of making such decisions.

But you say........ I just don't have the time. Well..... you have the time to put that new lift kit on your truck, or some new accessory, or maybe tweak a little more travel out of your suspension. That's fine, but once you've got it all tricked out for the trail, where are you going to take it fourwheeling if your trails have been shut down?

The other side has a very active bunch that maintains active letter writing activities. We need to do the same. It really only takes a few minutes to write a letter or call your representative. Once you start to make it part of your regular activities, it gets even easier. Its like starting an exercise program. The first sessions are tough, but it just gets easier and easier the more you do it.

You may think that all the areas being threatened for closure are out of your state or local area. For instance, the area around Moab, Utah has been under scrutiny for several years. You may not plan to go to Moab soon, or ever. However, the day you do decide to go, it may be closed because enough people from all over didn't care to voice their desire that our public lands should be left open to ALL recreationalists.

It's not uncommon to hear of legislators doing some action, such as closing public lands, and to have them say they were doing what the public wanted because they didn't hear any large response objecting to their actions. Make a difference..... tell your legislators that you want access and use rights.

You maintain your vehicle, why not spend a few minutes a month doing some trail maintenance from your own home, by writing a few letters to keep our trails open?

We've all got the time, we just need to do it!

(See the Land Use Issues page for ways to help protect the future of our sport!)