Wyoming Recreation Partnerships

Partnerships are a vital component of the BLM's mission to provide multiple-use access to your public lands. Recreation partnerships help BLM Wyoming enhance recreation experiences and access. The following are highlights for several of these partnerships in 2018. 

Johnny Behind the Rocks Recreation Zone

In the spirit of serving America through shared conservation stewardship, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the withdrawal of public land from mining in the Johnny Behind the Rocks Recreation Zone near Lander, Wyoming on June 7, 2018.

The Johnny Behind the Rocks Trail System, located off Highway 287 near Lander, provides mountain bikers, horseback riders and runners with high desert experiences in a compact area. Most of the system is located on routes that climb to and traverse long and scenic ridgelines. The trails wind and meander through typical Great Basin terrain that ranges from clusters of pinyon-juniper woodlands and open sagebrush meadows while offering spectacular views of the Wind River Mountain Range. The trail is usable much of year, even when recreation opportunities in other areas are limited by weather.

The BLM has partnered for many years with Lander Cycling, the International Mountain Bike Association, Backcountry Horseman of America, and the community to enhance this local recreational area southeast of Lander.

Partner organizations pose for photographs at the JBR mineral withdrawal ceremony, including members of the Lander chapter of Backcountry Horseman of America (left), and Lander Cycling and the International Mountain Biking Association (right)

Partner organizations pose for photographs at the JBR mineral withdrawal ceremony, including members of the Lander chapter of Backcountry Horseman of America (left), and Lander Cycling and the International Mountain Biking Association (right).

 

Rim Rock Historic Site on the North Platte River

On September 14, 2018, the Casper Field Office joined with its partners to celebrate the acquisition of new public lands near Casper, Wyoming.  During a three-year process, the office worked through the Land and Water Conservation Fund to obtain the funds to purchase the Rim Rock Ranch.  A partnership with The Conservation Fund, who acted as an intermediary in the purchase, was vital to making this acquisition a success.

A paddleboarder enjoys an afternoon on the North Platte River adjacent to the Rim Rock property. Photo courtesy of The Conservation Fund.

A paddleboarder enjoys an afternoon on the North Platte River adjacent to the Rim Rock property. Photo courtesy of The Conservation Fund.

The Rim Rock property includes 1.5 miles along the North Platte River, directly adjacent to an expanding Casper neighborhood. The acquisition will enhance opportunities for fishing and public recreation along this stretch of the river, while also securing an historic battlefield site from the Indian Wars of the northern Great Plains. 

The celebration was held on the property with dignitaries representing the Governor’s office, the ranch family, the Wyoming Congressional delegation, and other partners.  Thanks to a temporary easement from the ranch family, the ceremony was able to shuttle attendees directly to the ceremony site. Speeches were given by BLM Wyoming managers, Senator John Barrasso, and partners from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, The Conservation Fund, and the Wyoming Governor’s Office. The presenters spoke on the importance of the acquisition to the local community, as well as to the virtues of public lands.