Rena introduced her self as a member of “San Juan Back Country Horsemen” (BCHA). She stated that she started riding horses when she was 60 years old and that it was very difficult for her but now, she enjoys riding. She said that “what I really want to do is encourage and solicit active participation in the use of back country resources by stock users and the general public commensurate with our heritage”.

 

Rena showed the other purpose and philosophy of BCHA which is:

She wanted to let us know what the Back-Country Horsemen do to maintain back country trails such as keep the trails cleared of fallen limbs and trees as well as other repairs to trails as needed. She mentioned that other groups such as the Forest Service, the Pagosa Area Trail Council, ATV groups also help clear the trails. She stated that they all are prohibited from using chain saws and other motorized equipment on the wilderness trails, so they must use hand tools. It took she and her husband 5 month to clear Leche Creek, Opal Creek and Fish Creek trails last year.

 

Rena then showed a slide show that included a fund raiser that netted $30000 last year with the help of many including several outfitters in the area. Many of these outfitters have also been helping clear the trails of yearly dead fall in the spring. There were images of huge logs across trails that were removed using axes, hand saws and the big two man crosscut saws. Many of these projects are above 10000 feet making them even more difficult. Crews are required to measure and document the trees removed from the trails. Sometimes crews spend several nights in the wilderness clearing trails and Back Country Horsemen carry food and other supplies to them. They interact with and set up trail heads for hunters in the fall. She showed pictures of Anderson trail, Little Sand trail and Archuleta trails that had been cleared.

 

Rena stated that they have about 85 members (25 does most of the work) that worked about 1800 hours last year to clear the trails. That involved clearing about 500 trees from 242 miles of trail with 177 miles in the wilderness. She then showed a slide of the number of trees cut by different trail clearing groups. The Pagosa Ranger District Backcountry crew cut 1768 trees from the trails, Ron Decker and Becca Smith cut 1700 trees themselves, Southwest Conservation Corp cut 545 trees and the San Juan Outdoor Club and others cut out 86 trees all for a total of 4599 trees cleared from the trails. She stated that there are approximately 9500 fallen trees on San Juan forest trails each year.

 

Rena’s presentation ended with a picture of a beautifully groomed horse’s rear and there was expected cheers, laughter and applause.

Announcements: David Campbell made some comments about rotary membership. He encouraged everyone to always check-in upon entering the meeting so that you are not listed as absent on the weekly attendance report. If you attend a rotary meeting somewhere else be sure and give the attendance document to him. He also announced the mini-orientation meeting next week on April 24 for Julie Walters and Pat Tackett. Lastly, Dave stated that members who are on leave-of-absence still need to pay rotary dues.

Pat Day introduced her daughter Kathleen McFadden and Frank Estes for the third and last time as applicants for membership.

 

Joe Bridges announced the tragic accidental death of a long time Rotary supporter Monk Tarbel and the injury of his partner Carla Evans. Carla is being released from the hospital today but will be a Pine Ridge Nursing home for a while in recovery. A card was circulated for Carla.

 

Livia Lynch announced that the rotary Scholarship Committee met recently and reviewed 21 applicants. On May 2 winners will be announced. The Scholarship Foundation netted another $10000 donation recently making a total of about $37000 available for scholarship awards.

 

Shellie announced the second rotary meeting for Dr. Rhonda Webb as a corporate membership. Dr. Webb announced that there is a Business After Hours event next Wednesday at Pagosa Springs Medical Center.

 

Cindi Galabota announced that RYLA applications are due tomorrow and that ESL classes are starting at Ruby Sisson public library on May 1.

 

David Smith reported that he attended an International Service meeting last Saturday in Montrose. Discussions included global grants and the deep well project in Vienna, Austria that received a $3000 donation from our district. An email response was received from Vienna that they are willing to donate $3000 to a project supported by our district.

 

Georgette Baumgardner brought attention to the “big event” this Saturday which is the Gary Morris Concert. She solicited help with concessions. She expects that we will have a “big turn-out” for the concert. She encourages anyone who have not sold their tickets to turn them in so that they can be sold by others and at the door.

Kim Moore stated that she will be arriving at Pagosa High School at 5:15 pm Saturday to set up for concession sells and that she will need help. Those cooking brownies and cookies should have them there by 6:30 pm.

 

Lisa Scott announced that our club has been assigned an exchange student for next year. It’s a boy from Spain and his name is Jaime. He will be arriving June 16. He plays tennis, soccer and he skis. His Sister did a Rotary exchange last year in the US and his father is a Rotarian.

 

Lisa also announced a 4-H paper shredding day on May 8 from 4-6 pm. For $5 they will shred a whole box of paper.

 

Joe Bridges extended sincere gratitude to Georgette Baumgardner and her family for the Back Pack Program fund raiser. There was applause and cheers from the membership.