News Briefs

IMBA Trail News
Volume 15, Number 3
Summer 2002

1. IMBA Welcomes New Trail Care Crew

Scott Linnenburger and Aaryn Kay of North Carolina became the newest Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew in late May. Both bring exceptional environmental science experience to their new IMBA positions. For the last four years, Scott worked as an environmental consultant dealing primarily with wetlands, water quality and endangered species issues. He coordinated projects such as a 400-acre wetland restoration and recovery of a 1,000-foot severely damaged stream segment. Scott worked with land managers in private and public forestry operations in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. He also conducted environmental assessments for the North Carolina Nature Conservancy to help direct their land acquisition programs. Aaryn worked for the last five years at Duke University's Center for Environmental Education, first as a research assistant, then as K-12 coordinator, and most recently as the Director of Community Education. Aaryn co-chaired the Durham Earth Day Festival in 2000 and 2001. She also worked with the Nature Conservancy as a naturalist, leading hiking and kayak tours and volunteer trailwork projects. Scott and Aaryn both received Masters in Environmental Management degrees from Duke University in 1998. After living several years in flat, coastal North Carolina, they look forward to riding more variable and challenging terrain. They will travel the East Coast in search of trailbuilding challenges, motivated volunteers and the perfect singletrack.

2. San Francisco Hot Spot Success

IMBA clubs teamed to promote 12 days of focused advocacy work in the Bay Area July 10-21. This coordinated effort was part of IMBA's Hot Spots program that focuses on improving urban trail access and inspiring new mountain bike advocates. IMBA staff, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and local advocates conducted a series of high-level meetings with land managers, community leaders and other conservation and recreation groups to discuss ways to create better riding opportunities in the Bay Area. San Francisco outdoor enthusiasts also attended a host of different events, including a Trailbuilding School, trailwork days, rides and a party. Two more IMBA Hot Spot campaigns are scheduled for 2002: Cleveland, August 8-18 and New York City, September 19-29. Thanks to Hot Spots sponsor Clif Bar. For more info visit IMBA's Urban Resources.

3. Comment on California Wilderness

IMBA asks California mountain bikers to contact their congressional delegation and local newspapers to help preserve access to important trails. U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer recently introduced the California Wild Heritage Act of 2002 in the U.S. Senate. The bill, S. 2535, proposes to add 2.7 million acres to California's 14 million acres of federally designated Wilderness. Elements of this bill put mountain bikers in a difficult position. We care deeply about the environment, strongly support conservation, and will support new Wilderness designations. We also want to protect roadless lands from road construction, mining, logging, dams and drilling. But bicycle use is prohibited in all Wilderness areas and this bill proposes Wilderness status for trails in popular mountain bike areas such as Lake Tahoe and Donner Pass, around Mammoth Mountain, in the northern Coast Range and southern Sierras, and north and east of Los Angeles. IMBA's goal is to help shape a bill we can support. But at this time, roughly 20 percent of the land proposed for new Wilderness protection overlaps significant bicycling opportunities. IMBA is calling on cyclists to write and call their California congressional delegation to help protect their favorite trails with a different classification than Wilderness. For a list of problematic areas included in the bill, talking points for your phone call or letter, or to find out the name, address and phone numbers of your congressional delegation or local papers, check out the full story at imba.com.

4. College Researchers Wanted

Attention young bright minds of the mountain biking universe! IMBA is looking for graduate or undergraduate college students to conduct their theses or professional projects on mountain bike advocacy, trail science, the economic benefits of cycling tourism, and other issues that impact our sport. Our requirements: motivated, self-sufficient students with a penchant for detailed research and clear writing who are willing to tackle a project and see it to completion. IMBA will publicize projects that are well done. If you're interested, email .

5. September 28 is Public Lands Day

IMBA-affiliated clubs across the U.S. are encouraged to schedule volunteer projects for National Public Lands Day and enter the IMBA/BOB Trailer Trailwork Challenge. This one-day celebration of public land will be held Saturday, September 28, 2002. Register your project on the IMBA website. We'll record mountain biker contributions to the nationwide effort and enter your group in a drawing for a 2003 BOB IBEX Suspension Trailer with trailwork tool racks ($500 retail). Whether it's new trail construction or routine maintenance, involving your group in National Public Lands Day will help solidify mountain biking's prominent position in the trails community. Trailwork projects that involve other trail groups or creative partnerships with the public/private sector are encouraged. IMBA is proud to be a member of the coalition promoting National Public Lands Day. For more information contact Jenn Dice at .

6. IMBA Partners with Rivers & Trails

A new agreement signed by IMBA and the Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance program of the National Park Service assures that mountain biking will have a strong presence in community trail projects. The five-year agreement calls for IMBA and Rivers & Trails to work together on four to six trail projects annually. 2002 projects are located in Salt Lake City, Utah; Roanoke, Virginia; Los Angeles County, California; Spring Mountains, Nevada; and Silver City, New Mexico. The agreement also promotes mountain biking as a healthy family activity, encourages the design of trail systems with broad appeal, promotes mountain biking success stories and advocates for the development of a model "Urban Trails Park" concept. Last year, Rivers & Trails helped develop more than 700 miles of trail, protect 1,000 river miles and preserve 30,000 acres of open space. To learn more about the IMBA/Rivers & Trails project, visit imba.com.

7. Federal Employees Donate to IMBA

IMBA would like to thank the hundreds of federal employees who gave to IMBA through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). So far this year we have received more than $9,000 and the donations continue to roll in. 2001 was the first year IMBA became eligible to accept payroll deductions from federal employees, and we have already been approved for the 2002 campaign. Federal employees will receive the 2002 CFC eligible donor listing later this year. More info: Erik Esborg, IMBA finance director, .

8. IMBA/Koobi Club Assistance Grants

Koobi, an innovative bicycle saddle manufacturer based in Colorado Springs, CO, recently became IMBA's newest above & beyond corporate supporter. Koobi and the Koobi Freedom Foundation are sponsoring a new IMBA Club Assistance Grants Program that will award eight $500 trail project grants to IMBA clubs this year. Four summer and four fall award winners will be selected. The summer grant application deadline is August 12. The fall deadline is September 16. To apply, visit imba.com/resources/grants. For more details on Koobi's exceptional IMBA support see p. 14.

9. West Coast Summit in Sierras

Pacific region mountain bike advocates from California, Oregon, Nevada and Washington are invited to attend the 2002 IMBA West Coast Advocacy Summit for three days of advocacy training, roundtable discussions, and riding on high Sierra trails. The summit will take place at the Auburn Ski Club training center at Donner Summit, California, September 8-10. The registration fee is $65, which includes food and materials. Participants are responsible for their own lodging. The IMBA summit follows on the heels of the California Trails and Greenways Conference slated for September 5-8 at nearby Lake Tahoe. For more info email IMBA California Rep Jim Haagen Smit at .

10. Clif Bar Grant Winners Announced

IMBA is pleased to announce the second round winners of 2002 IMBA/Clif Bar Trail Preservation Grants. Six $500 grants have been awarded to support projects that preserve and enhance trail access, promote environmental education, and inspire conservation in the mountain bicycling community. 2002 IMBA/Clif Bar Trail Preservation Grant second-round winners are: Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists, Twin Cities; Kentucky Mountain Bike Association, Louisville, KY; Tarheel Trailblazers, Charlotte, NC; Webmountainbike, Frederick, MD; Southern Virginia Mountain Biking Association, Danville, VA; Bow Valley Mountain Bike Alliance, Banff, Alberta, Canada.

11. NMBP Launches eNewsletter

IMBA is proud to announce the release of the first edition of IMBA's National Mountain Bike Patrol eNewsletter. The monthly email brings the latest Patrol news to NMBP members. Sharing success stories, patrolling tips and news is just one of the ways Kevin Stein, IMBA's NMBP coordinator and other patrol leaders are working to bring the patrol community closer together. For more info visit imba.com/nmbp.

Help | Site Map | Copyright



	News Briefs IMBA Trail News Volume 15, Number 3 Summer 2002 1. IMBA Welcomes New Trail Care Crew Scott Linnenburger and Aaryn Kay of North Carolina became the newest Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew in late May. Both bring exceptional environmental science experience to their new IMBA positions. For the last four years, Scott worked as an environmental consultant dealing primarily with wetlands, water quality and endangered species issues. He coordinated projects such as a 400-acre wetland restoration and recovery of a 1,000-foot severely damaged stream segment. Scott worked with land managers in private and public forestry operations in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. He also conducted environmental assessments for the North Carolina Nature Conservancy to help direct their land acquisition programs. Aaryn worked for the last five years at Duke University's Center for Environmental Education, first as a research assistant, then as K-12 coordinator, and most recently as the Director of Community Education. Aaryn co-chaired the Durham Earth Day Festival in 2000 and 2001. She also worked with the Nature Conservancy as a naturalist, leading hiking and kayak tours and volunteer trailwork projects. Scott and Aaryn both received Masters in Environmental Management degrees from Duke University in 1998. After living several years in flat, coastal North Carolina, they look forward to riding more variable and challenging terrain. They will travel the East Coast in search of trailbuilding challenges, motivated volunteers and the perfect singletrack. 2. San Francisco Hot Spot Success IMBA clubs teamed to promote 12 days of focused advocacy work in the Bay Area July 10-21. This coordinated effort was part of IMBA's Hot Spots program that focuses on improving urban trail access and inspiring new mountain bike advocates. IMBA staff, the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew and local advocates conducted a series of high-level meetings with land managers, community leaders and other conservation and recreation groups to discuss ways to create better riding opportunities in the Bay Area. San Francisco outdoor enthusiasts also attended a host of different events, including a Trailbuilding School, trailwork days, rides and a party. Two more IMBA Hot Spot campaigns are scheduled for 2002: Cleveland, August 8-18 and New York City, September 19-29. Thanks to Hot Spots sponsor Clif Bar. For more info visit IMBA's Urban Resources. 3. Comment on California Wilderness IMBA asks California mountain bikers to contact their congressional delegation and local newspapers to help preserve access to important trails. U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer recently introduced the California Wild Heritage Act of 2002 in the U.S. Senate. The bill, S. 2535, proposes to add 2.7 million acres to California's 14 million acres of federally designated Wilderness. Elements of this bill put mountain bikers in a difficult position. We care deeply about the environment, strongly support conservation, and will support new Wilderness designations. We also want to protect roadless lands from road construction, mining, logging, dams and drilling. But bicycle use is prohibited in all Wilderness areas and this bill proposes Wilderness status for trails in popular mountain bike areas such as Lake Tahoe and Donner Pass, around Mammoth Mountain, in the northern Coast Range and southern Sierras, and north and east of Los Angeles. IMBA's goal is to help shape a bill we can support. But at this time, roughly 20 percent of the land proposed for new Wilderness protection overlaps significant bicycling opportunities. IMBA is calling on cyclists to write and call their California congressional delegation to help protect their favorite trails with a different classification than Wilderness. For a list of problematic areas included in the bill, talking points for your phone call or letter, or to find out the name, address and phone numbers of your congressional delegation or local papers, check out the full story at imba.com. 4. College Researchers Wanted Attention young bright minds of the mountain biking universe! IMBA is looking for graduate or undergraduate college students to conduct their theses or professional projects on mountain bike advocacy, trail science, the economic benefits of cycling tourism, and other issues that impact our sport. Our requirements: motivated, self-sufficient students with a penchant for detailed research and clear writing who are willing to tackle a project and see it to completion. IMBA will publicize projects that are well done. If you're interested, email . 5. September 28 is Public Lands Day IMBA-affiliated clubs across the U.S. are encouraged to schedule volunteer projects for National Public Lands Day and enter the IMBA/BOB Trailer Trailwork Challenge. This one-day celebration of public land will be held Saturday, September 28, 2002. Register your project on the IMBA website. We'll record mountain biker contributions to the nationwide effort and enter your group in a drawing for a 2003 BOB IBEX Suspension Trailer with trailwork tool racks ($500 retail). Whether it's new trail construction or routine maintenance, involving your group in National Public Lands Day will help solidify mountain biking's prominent position in the trails community. Trailwork projects that involve other trail groups or creative partnerships with the public/private sector are encouraged. IMBA is proud to be a member of the coalition promoting National Public Lands Day. For more information contact Jenn Dice at . 6. IMBA Partners with Rivers & Trails A new agreement signed by IMBA and the Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance program of the National Park Service assures that mountain biking will have a strong presence in community trail projects. The five-year agreement calls for IMBA and Rivers & Trails to work together on four to six trail projects annually. 2002 projects are located in Salt Lake City, Utah; Roanoke, Virginia; Los Angeles County, California; Spring Mountains, Nevada; and Silver City, New Mexico. The agreement also promotes mountain biking as a healthy family activity, encourages the design of trail systems with broad appeal, promotes mountain biking success stories and advocates for the development of a model "Urban Trails Park" concept. Last year, Rivers & Trails helped develop more than 700 miles of trail, protect 1,000 river miles and preserve 30,000 acres of open space. To learn more about the IMBA/Rivers & Trails project, visit imba.com. 7. Federal Employees Donate to IMBA IMBA would like to thank the hundreds of federal employees who gave to IMBA through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). So far this year we have received more than $9,000 and the donations continue to roll in. 2001 was the first year IMBA became eligible to accept payroll deductions from federal employees, and we have already been approved for the 2002 campaign. Federal employees will receive the 2002 CFC eligible donor listing later this year. More info: Erik Esborg, IMBA finance director, . 8. IMBA/Koobi Club Assistance Grants Koobi, an innovative bicycle saddle manufacturer based in Colorado Springs, CO, recently became IMBA's newest above & beyond corporate supporter. Koobi and the Koobi Freedom Foundation are sponsoring a new IMBA Club Assistance Grants Program that will award eight $500 trail project grants to IMBA clubs this year. Four summer and four fall award winners will be selected. The summer grant application deadline is August 12. The fall deadline is September 16. To apply, visit imba.com/resources/grants. For more details on Koobi's exceptional IMBA support see p. 14. 9. West Coast Summit in Sierras Pacific region mountain bike advocates from California, Oregon, Nevada and Washington are invited to attend the 2002 IMBA West Coast Advocacy Summit for three days of advocacy training, roundtable discussions, and riding on high Sierra trails. The summit will take place at the Auburn Ski Club training center at Donner Summit, California, September 8-10. The registration fee is $65, which includes food and materials. Participants are responsible for their own lodging. The IMBA summit follows on the heels of the California Trails and Greenways Conference slated for September 5-8 at nearby Lake Tahoe. For more info email IMBA California Rep Jim Haagen Smit at . 10. Clif Bar Grant Winners Announced IMBA is pleased to announce the second round winners of 2002 IMBA/Clif Bar Trail Preservation Grants. Six $500 grants have been awarded to support projects that preserve and enhance trail access, promote environmental education, and inspire conservation in the mountain bicycling community. 2002 IMBA/Clif Bar Trail Preservation Grant second-round winners are: Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists, Twin Cities; Kentucky Mountain Bike Association, Louisville, KY; Tarheel Trailblazers, Charlotte, NC; Webmountainbike, Frederick, MD; Southern Virginia Mountain Biking Association, Danville, VA; Bow Valley Mountain Bike Alliance, Banff, Alberta, Canada. 11. NMBP Launches eNewsletter IMBA is proud to announce the release of the first edition of IMBA's National Mountain Bike Patrol eNewsletter. The monthly email brings the latest Patrol news to NMBP members. Sharing success stories, patrolling tips and news is just one of the ways Kevin Stein, IMBA's NMBP coordinator and other patrol leaders are working to bring the patrol community closer together. For more info visit imba.com/nmbp.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright