Safeguard access to open spaces for equestrians - ELCR
An excerpt from The Sentinel.
Single-minded is not a term generally used to define horse enthusiasts. Loyalties are both separate and fierce when it comes to feed, breed, riding discipline, veterinary care, training and a number of other subjects pertaining to the one tie that binds us together under the heading of equestrian? the horse.

As we are able to come together on this one point of interest, we ought to be able come together on a second. If we don't have space to ride, perform, and otherwise enjoy our horses, we will be worse off as individuals, as riders of any given discipline and as a whole. Heading the effort to bring us together, Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) was founded in 1997 and became a program of The Conservation Fund in 1998. It is a national organization to help safeguard access to open spaces for equestrians. The group states its goal as being committed to unifying the equestrian community as a national force for land preservation. This land conservation movement promotes land protection, and land use decision making with a focus on horse related activities.

The founders and supporters of ELCR recognize that there must be unity throughout the diverse community of horse riders, owners and enthusiasts to successfully preserve America's equestrian heritage. "My background is largely with trails because that's what I do," said executive director Kandee Haertel. "But, we need to think about the horse industry speaking with one voice."

In spite of a survey done by ELCR to determine the state of the nation's equestrian trails, the topic of land availability for use by equestrians is not solely a "trails" issue. Articles have been published in Equus, USCTA News, The Equiery, The Chronicle of the Horse, USPC News as well as Trail Blazer with the same concern: the amount of land available for use by horses and riders is dwindling, and therefore threatening the sports we love.

The cry is typical of that printed in the second issue of USCTA for this year: "Staff of the USCTA who had hacked over this farmland just north of Leesburg, Virginia for the last couple of years, were turned back by the developers who would not allow them to ride over the land because of liability issues. Suddenly the battle is not 'theirs,' it is 'ours,' and it is rapidly becoming way too close to home."

In some areas of the country, reports state that land is being developed at the rate of an acre an hour. While development in the greater Chicagoland area might not be as high as that, development here is alive and well. Every week the "legals" sections of local papers are full of notices for public hearings for zoning changes to allow for planned unit development (PUD) subdivisions, and "big box" chains such as Home Depot.

Among the service provided by ELCR, it produces technical resource information related to land use policy and equestrian land stewardship. It serves as a clearinghouse for information, referrals and offers support and consultation to those seeking assistance in equestrian conservation.

The need for information and resources has been so great that ELCR published the "Equestrian Land Protection Guide" in October 1999. In short, the guide offers suggestions for developing the appropriate team to make a conservation project possible in addition to developing a manageable plan. It provides information on maximizing financial and manpower resources, negotiating agreements, improving landowner relations as well as planning for the future to ensure that what has been achieved will not be lost.

The dedication in the front of the guide is attributed to John F. Turner who is president and CEO of the Conservation Fund, a former director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, a Wyoming rancher and former state senator. He said, "There is more to lose than land. A way of life and an understanding of who we are is also at stake. Horsemanship is important to our country's history and lore. It teaches us responsibility and stewardship and how to care for another life form. When we protect this, it enriches our communities."

According to Haertel, "ELCR found that the major reasons equestrians are denied access to land, both public and private, is the concern that horses create liability for the landowner; that horses interfere with other users such as hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers; and that they degrade the natural environment." To over come these concerns, ELCR began building relationships with conservation and land-using organizations as well as equestrians to establish an identity as a leader in the effort to support the preservation of equestrian land. "No matter what activities horseback riders are involved with, in terms of land conservation, we are always in the minority and it will remain that way until we learn to work together with other groups," said Haertel. To that end, ELCR representatives have made presentations at the 1999 annual conventions of both the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. and the U.S. Combined Training Association and conducted workshops on access and stewardship of land. Additionally, an educational presentation was given at Equitana USA, and information and literature was provided at the staffed booth.

"The first part of the equation is to get information out to the equestrian community," added Haertel. Equitana is one of the largest multi-discipline horse festivals held in the United States.

A primary focus for ELCR is the production of quality printed materials that will make basic land protection information readily available. In addition to the "Equestrian Land Protection Guide," the organization is working on the development of a pamphlet about equestrian liability that will clarify the questions that cause so many to be unwilling to allow others to ride horses on their lands. This pamphlet's printed production is pending funding.

"The growth of our organization has been solid, but we are still struggling because we are only doing about half of what we would like to do," said Haertel. The projected budget for education and outreach has risen by 61 percent from 1999 to 2000 as the group strives to accomplish everything it sets out to do.

Individual contributions make up the majority of the funding for ELCR, followed closely by foundation and corporate sponsors.

ELCR's board of directors and national council include leaders of the following organizations: American Bird Conservancy, American Farmland Trust, American Horse Shows Association, The Brandywine Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, Combined Driving Association, Green Mountain Horse Association, Land Trust Alliance, Masters of Foxhounds Association, National Wildlife Refuge Association, United States Combined Training Association, United States Dressage Federation, United States Equestrian Team, Inc., and United States Pony Club, Inc.

Haertel concludes, "We know that we are not reaching every equestrian in the country. We need to answer e-mails and reply to all the saddle clubs that contact us."
Information can be obtained by writing to ELCR at 204 Hill Street, P.O. Box 335, Galena, IL 61036, http:// www.elcr.org is the website for the organization. The phone number is 815-776-0150. Individuals can help by joining ELCR as a member. The registration for 12 months is $15 and includes a quarterly newsletter. Tax deductible contributions can be made in any amount seen fit.