Gov. Jay Inslee has proclaimed Saturday (March 15) as Backcountry Horsemen Day to acknowledge contributions of the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, a statewide nonprofit organization that provides volunteer services to federal, state and local government agencies to help maintain recreational trails, trailheads, campgrounds and other facilities.
The Methow Valley Backcountry Horsemen (MVBCH) chapter has been in existence for 29 years.
On April 26, MVBCH will hold its 30th annual fund-raising Spring Ride at Beaver Creek Campground. Members are currently seeking donations from the community for the Spring Ride auction.
In 2013, MVBCH spent $2,500 on trails as a registered contractor with the U.S. Forest Service. More than $1,300 was spent on horse camp maintenance and development. A total of 383 volunteer hours were spent on eight multi-user trails and on the trailhead access roads of another two, as well as on two horse camps. Members spent 176 hours logging out, brushing and doing tread work on the Twisp River Trail. Similar projects are planned for 2014.
For more information about how to take part in the fundraising event, call 997-0133.
