We received this email below and felt very strongly the need to get the word out to as many people as possible. We have removed some of the email addresses and last names, etc. in the interest of getting this information out quickly.
Denise Schieffer, president of Iowa Trail Riders Assoc urges everyone
to make sure Gov. Branstad, the DNR and the legislators are aware of
our protests. Some riders have suggested they would be willing to pay
an annual bridle fee. Some have volunteered to help. We need to get
organized like the bicyclists did! She suggests some text you can use:
It has come to my attention that there is discussion of closing horse
trails in Yellow River, Shimek and Stephens State Forests to save
money. There are already so few places where equestrians can ride
compared to other recreational activities in the state. It would be
devastating to close these parks and basically eliminate riding
activities for many. Given that our riding options are already so
limited, PLEASE when looking where to make cuts, consider other areas
where there are more options available and cuts would not be felt as
severely as would be the case here.
We have so few places to ride in Iowa! I hope people will keep calling
and writing!
Diana
(PS You don't need to read further, but if you are interested there is
related correspondence below.)
From the DNR Communications Bureau Chief to me:
Thanks for sharing your very thoughtful and well-written letter.
As I¹ve explained to others, at this point we do not know what the
final appropriation will be so we are not sure whether the trails would
be closed or not. It is, at this point, an option that could be
considered depending on what kind of funding level we end up at.
In the meantime, I can't tell you how encouraged I am by the number of
equestrians today who have stepped forward, like your family, and
expressed a willingness to help be part of a solution in these
difficult times.
As a side note, I would mention that much of the public land in Johnson
County is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via the Coralville
Reservoir system. Have you ever had any discussions with them to see if
there are any opportunities? Likewise, didn¹t Johnson County dedicate a
portion of sales tax revenue to conservation/recreation projects? Maybe
there are opportunities there as well to explore trail possibilities.
Once again, thanks for sharing this letter with me and for your
interest in helping find alternative should the need arise.
Kevin Baskins
Communications Bureau Chief
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
515-281-8395
From: Diana L
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 4:33 PM
To: Baskins, Kevin [DNR]
Subject: FW: Preserve Funding for IA Horse Trails
Dear Kevin, while we understand that not every program of the DNR can
be sustained, we who live and ride in Iowa feel that there are special
reasons for keeping trails open to horseback riders in this state. A
few of these are stated below in my letter to the governor.
BTW, my husband and I are willing to donate to keep IA trails open to
horses, and also to volunteer time to horse trails in our area -- oh
wait, there aren't any horse trails in Johnson County AT ALL! (A
situation we would love to see remedied, but that's a topic for another
time.)
Thank you for your efforts.
Diana
From: Diana
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 3:51 PM
Subject: Preserve Funding for IA Horse Trails
Dear Gov. Branstad:
Please do not allow any cuts in funding for maintenance of horse trails
in Iowa! Iowa has fewer public areas for people to enjoy on horseback
than do most other states, and it is important to preserve, even
expand, what we do have. Horses are part of our national heritage;
millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iowans still own
and ride horses, in part to recapture the spirit and values of our
forbearers who settled and built this great country. It is a wonderful
way for families to spend time together, and for individuals to
reconnect with nature.
I moved to this state several decades ago, and at first missed the
mountains and accessibility to the ocean where I used to live. But
fortunately, I was able to discover that Iowa too has great natural
beauty, and I've done this from the back of my horse. Horses were also
the medium through which my family and I got to know and appreciate
"real" Iowans, and escape the isolation newcomers to the state often
feel. Trail riding in Iowa has truly enriched our lives. While my
family and I can take our horses out of state to ride, we spend the
majority of our riding time on the trails in Iowa, where we live, and
where we pay taxes. People may not realize how much money horse owners
spend on our horses and all the associated equipment--indeed, we could
use that money to take frequent vacations to exotic locales elsewhere
in this country and abroad, but that would take the money out of Iowa's
economy! As long as we have access to horse trails in this state,
especially trails in Shimek Forest, Stephens Forest, Yellow River and
Brushy Creek--we will continue to not only love and be proud of natural
Iowa, but also to keep the money where we live.
But this should not be just about money. There is Iowa's heritage to
consider, as well as the pride and enjoyment taken by today's hard
working Iowans in the natural beauty of their state. For my daughters
who grew up here, camping and riding the trails in Iowa is among their
most cherished memories. They would also like to raise families in
Iowa, unless they are denied the opportunity go riding on Iowa's trails
with their own children.
Let me also add that more and more often, trail riders are volunteering
time and money to preserve trails in Iowa, and have been taking a more
active role in working with park officials to do what's necessary to
keep horse trails open.
It would be a terrible shame to see Iowa close its trails to horse
owners and riders.
Sincerely,
Diana
Iowa City, Iowa
Please send your own emails to the Gov. Branstad and any other organizations that might be willing to help. Thanks
