Outdoor places need dedicated advocates

By Stephen Hlawaty
Outdoors Columnist

In the socially conscious, environmentally friendly novel "Ishmael," author Daniel Quinn identifies two kinds of people: takers and leavers. The Taker mythology suggests that humans are superior to--and removed from--the natural world, while the Leaver mythology presents an equitable relationship between humans and the natural world. As Leavers, we belong to the natural world and are its primary caretakers.

So as we welcome the coming of another beautiful Colorado summer, it's important that we enter into our summer pursuits as Leavers, as advocates for our natural environment. Luckily, northern Colorado is home to a variety of local and well-organized outdoor advocacy groups. Such groups not only support the services provided by the Larimer County Parks and Open Lands, Colorado State Parks, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and the like, they also provide an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to give back a little to the environment.

The Diamond Peaks Mountain Bike Patrol is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that promotes responsible mountain biking on public lands while providing a valuable service to other trail users. The DPMBP educates trail users in general low-impact/shared-use ethics. Moreover, DPMBP volunteers also provide trailside bike maintenance, emergency medical care and information on backcountry preparedness and trail conditions. Indeed, when Lory State Park received over 10 inches of rain during the 1997 Fort Collins flood, which damaged much of the park's trail system, the DPMBP, along with other outdoor advocacy groups, participated in a massive reconstruction effort. The other areas that DPMBP services include the Devil's Backbone and Rim Rock Open Spaces, Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest and Horsetooth Mountain Park. For more information, contact the DPMBP by calling 568-4200 or visiting its web site at www.dpmbp.org.

While the DPMBP focuses its attention on responsible mountain biking, the Friends of the Poudre seeks to preserve the recreational, historic and educational values of the Cache la Poudre River. As Colorado's first river protection nonprofit organization, Friends of the Poudre has a long history in outdoor advocacy. While its mission has included a variety of pursuits, Friends of the Poudre is currently working toward protecting the river's water quality and is active in developing Clean Water Act reviews. Boaters will appreciate the Friends' lead role in keeping Lower Picnic Rock open, which is an important access point to the river. Anglers would be well informed to know that Friends of the Poudre, in conjunction with the city of Fort Collins, has worked hard to organize the Downtown River Enhancement Project, an effort to improve a 200-foot stretch of river with in-channel recreational enhancements. For more information about Friends of the Poudre, visit its web site at friendsofthepoudre.org.

Hikers and backpackers will appreciate the work of the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers. PWV patrols the trails in the national forest's Canyon Lakes Ranger District, an area encompassing 644,854 acres. Included in this area are 164 miles of trail located within the Cache la Poudre, Comanche Peak, Neota and Rawah Wilderness Areas. The organization is made up of members actively involved in backcountry conservation and outdoor activities. Their responsibilities include educating hikers and backpackers on trail etiquette, clearing trails, repairing trails and replacing bridges. For more information on Poudre Wilderness Volunteers, visit its web site at www.poudrewildernessvolunteers.com.

Although we are heading into the summer months, it isn't too early for skiers and riders to consider how they might want to give back. The Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol is a volunteer backcountry group that works with the National Ski Patrol and the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest to patrol the Cameron Pass Area. The Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol helps to educate skiers and riders in backcountry safety and preparedness, as well as provide emergency care and rescue efforts. For more information, visit its web site at www.diamondpeaks.org.

As outdoor enthusiasts, it's important to acknowledge - and act on - individual responsibility to maintain the trails we love to use and hate to lose. Such an attitude will go a long way in preserving these trails, as well as fostering a healthy attitude toward the creation of new trails. Indeed, this summer will see the completion of the Blue Sky Trail along Rim Rock Open Space. Connecting Devil's Backbone Open Space to Horsetooth Reservoir, the Blue Sky Trail will be part of a series of linked trails that will provide equestrians, hikers and mountain bikers with a 16-mile trail between Devil's Backbone and Horsetooth Reservoir. Now that's worth working for.