BLM Grand Junction Field Office hosts meeting on the Old Spanish Trail Recreation and Development Strategy
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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office is seeking the public’s help to establish the Old Spanish Trail Recreation and Development Strategy. Interested individuals are invited to a meeting on Tuesday, Apr. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Mesa County Library, 443 N. 6th St.
This collaborative, partnership-based effort is designed to increase awareness of the Old Spanish Trail, an historic trade route crossing several states before ending in California, and the strategy focuses on the portion of the trail in Delta and Mesa counties.
“As a good neighbor, we are excited to forge partnerships to help us promote the Old Spanish Trail as a valuable educational and recreational asset for our local communities,” said Katie Stevens, BLM Grand Junction Field Manager. “Partnerships are vital to managing sustainable, working public lands and this strategy will help to improve, interpret and use the trail.”
This project provides volunteers with a variety of opportunities to get involved including strategic planning followed by on the ground activities.
“These plans have been completed in other states and they have been very well received. With the emphasis we're seeing on recreation in Mesa and Delta counties, this couldn't come at a better time," said Vicki Felmlee, Old Spanish Trail Association President. “One of OSTA's goals is recognizing the importance of opening and maintaining as much of the trail as possible to all types of recreation - walking, biking, horseback riding, wildlife watching and photography.”
In Fiscal Year 2016, recreation on public lands managed by BLM Colorado generated $591 million and supported 4,800 jobs.
To learn more or RSVP for the meeting, contact Dan Ben-Horin, BLM National Conservation Lands Specialist, at 970-244-3000 or dbenhorin@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.