The Forest Service since its inception has had this unique
Opportunity and its unique role with rural communities all across the nation.
These communities depend so much on the work we do and the national forests they live in close proximity
Job creation is important in many of these rural communities and it's really their livelihood.
Whether it's recreation, oil and gas extraction
the grazing, the timber production
the national forest is used. It's not just there to look at and the use helps local communities.
We would not be successful as an agency
Without engaging our community members in the work that we're trying to get done. Along the way
we will make great partners and we'll learn something and make our agency work so much more rewarding and
deepen the connection between the land and the communities we serve.
The National Forest and the and the goods and services from it are the lifeblood of the communities
They really are, whether it's you know people who depend on recreation,
Local rancher who grazes on national forests, whether it's a logging company
They all use the national forests as their lifeblood for their prosperity in their communities
We're all in this together
and this is our backyard and this is the nation's backyard and we really need these lands to survive and
and they really need us to be good care takers.
80% of our public connect with us to some form of recreation. That's how they come into contact with public lands.
All the recreational opportunities that we have it's what is allowing our town to thrive
It's the only reason that we're here and I think it's also why we're experiencing the boom that we are as it
everybody is coming here for the lifestyle.
We got a lot of people coming in for
Opportunities to mountain bike, ski, backpack. Public land access is at the core of our business.
The mission of the Shoshoni Backcountry Horseman is to help provide access for the public into the backcountry.
Partnerships are invaluable, the backcountry horsemen, for example
Clear and maintain well over a hundred miles of trail annually.
When you look at that kind of response that kind of passion tied to our public lands
Communities and was 100 percent the most important thing that we do.
When you're looking at a small community like Pagosa Springs you start adding
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 jobs. That's a large private employer and these small mountain towns
Without the long-term stewardship contract and the partnership we have in the Forest Service, we couldn't build these business models.
We have been permittees in the National Forest for over 40 years
what we found over the years is it's been very beneficial to our operation here, but it's also
made a huge difference for
just the community.
I really appreciated having
that National Forest here for all to enjoy and all of us to use and it's provided a lot of jobs for our community too.
When you interact with the indigenous peoples and you hear the stories and the narratives that are spoken from
their land tenure and why that mountain is important and what it means it brings a beauty and a richness
It derives a connection that is so profound that
it has to be part of how we discuss and talk about land management from here forward.
Chimney Rock is a important part of our culture and our history. By visiting these places we're actually
rejuvenating our
interest and following our ancestors footsteps.
It's just amazing to see places like these and connect to places like these. In a lot of our views these places are still alive,
Our ancestors are still here.
Chimney Rock National Monument, we are constructing a new parking lot, a new visitor center,
a large amphitheater and several trails.
We are building features to try and draw a younger generation back into the natural environment.
The next generations we need to start now in not just
educating but involvement. When you
take part in something you feel very different about it than if you're just sitting back and watching somebody else do it.
Shared stewardship means we're in it with everyone. We all have an equal part in how we manage this land,
we all have an equal part and the responsibility of ensuring it is here for those generations that come after us.
The rural counties we work in are 80% or more public lands.
Really staying closely engaged and closely aligned with those communities is beneficial to both Forest Service and those communities.