Saddlelite Riders Saddle Club

The Equestrian Advisory Group (EAG) met at the DNR in St. Paul on 1/10 and 2/21 to offer input on the spending of the dollars generated from the inaugural year (2007) of the Horse Trail Pass.  We were provided the following summary of statistics:

Approximately 5,900 annual and 1,100 daily passes were sold, generating about $126,900 in 2007.  After expenses related to printing self-registration envelopes and ELS commissions, there is a balance of about $123,300. Protecting Natural Resources

1. Providing Sustainable Trails
2. Rehabilitation of Existing Trails
3. Maintaining Trails
4. Repairing the “worst-first”
5. Higher profile, larger projects 

A plan for the distribution of $117,000 of these funds was developed utilizing the criteria, priorities, and considerations noted above, including 1) comments from the Equestrian Advisory Group; 2) priorities within the DNR, Divisions of Trails and Waterways/Parks and Recreation; and 3) consideration for projects that are in a position to be completed in a reasonable timeframe.

1. Hay Creek Unit of Dorer Forest – Trail Rehabilitation ($35,000) – This project will supplement a larger contract project to rehabilitate trails and improve the parking lot at Hay Creek. 

2. Zumbro Bottoms Unit of Dorer Forest – Trail Rehabilitation ($10,000)

3. Maplewood State Park  - Trail Rehabilitation ($27,000)

4. St. Croix State Forest – Trail Orientation Signage ($10,000)

5. Forestville State Park – Replace Two Vault Toilets in Horse Campground ($30,000)

6.  Upper Sioux Agency State Park – Trail Rehabilitation ($5,000)

We were also briefed on the State Forest Classification process of the R.J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest.  There will be a public open house about the access planning, and the DNR press release can be found at http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2008/02/19/dnr-to-host-open-houses-on-forest-access-planning/#more-42256 for anyone (everyone?) interested in attending.  They will also be holding a public meeting concerning the Sand Dunes, which is included in the same press release.

There are 2 open houses coming up in March to gather public opinions on public access in the Minnesota State Forest areas.  Find out more at:

http://http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2008/02/19/dnr-to-host-open-houses-on-forest-access-planning/#more-42256

Hey SRSC - if you find an interesting news article (local or anywhere) you would like to share - I’ve added a page on the side bar for Horse related news.  Just send me the link and I’ll be happy to post it for you!  Email peggy@pasillas.net  and I’ll get it in there.

Peggy

Hey Saddlelite - here’s your newsletter…

February 2008 Newsletter

Peggy

Washington, D.C.  (February 11, 2008)–The Homes for Horses Coalition today launched www.homesforhorses.org. The Web site is a resource tool for equine rescue personnel, members of the media, and anyone interested in equine protection efforts.
 
“We’re excited about the launch of our website and what it offers to the rapidly growing body of equine welfare professionals. Our coalition has a great deal of expertise to share with others interested in real equine welfare, from lobbying Congress to end horse slaughter to providing high-quality care to horses in need. This should be a first point of reference for anyone interested in these issues,” said Liz Ross, federal policy advisor for the Animal Welfare Institute.
 
Visitors to the site will find information on a broad range of topics from the basics of operating an equine rescue facility to materials on ending the slaughter of American horses for human consumption abroad.  The site will list equine welfare organizations that voluntarily comply with standards approved of by The Homes for Horses Coalition.
 
“Our cumulative expertise puts The Homes for Horses Coalition in a unique position to advocate for equines from a perspective that puts equine welfare above commercial interests. Now, through our Web site we have the opportunity to share our knowledge with a much larger audience,” said Keith Dane, director of equine protection for The Humane Society of the United States.
 
The Homes for Horses Coalition is dedicated to ending horse slaughter and other forms of equine abuse while promoting growth, collaboration and professionalism in the equine rescue and protection community. Founded in 2007, the coalition will hold its annual conference in Washington, D.C. on July 22, 2008. 

Media contacts:
Heather Sullivan, The Humane Society of the United States:  301-548-7778 hsullivan@humanesociety.org  
Liz Ross, Animal Welfare Institute:  202-497-6780
liz@awionline.org