Shoshone Back Country Horsemen, PCORC

Shoshone Back Country Horsemen (SBCH) was founded in 1993 with the mission of protecting the access of equestrians to public lands and promoting Leave No Trace. SBCH was organized as one of seven chapters of the Back Country Horsemen of Wyoming, an affiliate of Back Country Horsemen of America. SBCH works closely with the Shoshone National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management on many trails, trailhead developments, and improvement projects in addition to providing educational workshops for members and area youth. Members promote wise and responsible equine use to reduce environmental impact on the land. Education is an integral part of SBCH’s purpose. They provide instruction in Leave No Trace principles, emergency wilderness first aid, (human and equine,) certification for using hand and chain saws, as well as trail safety and etiquette. They sponsor various horse and mule safety clinics, youth horsemanship, and horse packing seminars. Additionally, our members partner with the Forest Service to provide the Kids in the Woods program.

SBCH has had many successes over the history of their organization. The 1993 Watershed Project installed 36 water bars on Ishawooa Trail. In 1993, the Club assisted in a night rescue evacuating 2 hikers in the Bighorn Mountains. They have worked on multiple trailhead projects and their Jack Creek bridge project in 2007 received earned them the Wyoming Wildlife Federation Affiliate Award. In addition, they have installed various corrals, tie stanchions and feed bunks across the area as well as directional signs throughout the National Forest.

In the next year SBCH hopes to recruit more members, build corrals at Bald Mountain, and clean 100-125 miles of trail (30-35 wilderness trails).

The next monthly meeting is Thursday, September 21st at 6pm at the Weed & Pest building in Powell. There will be a potluck dinner and meeting. All are welcome!

Nestled within the University of Wyoming is a unique program that is helping to build the outdoor recreation industry leaders. The Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality (WORTH) Initiative was officially established thanks to funding from the Wyoming Innovation Partnership. The mission of the WORTH Initiative is to support, expand, and diversify Wyoming’s economy through outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries. The WORTH Initiative achieves its mission by delivering timely and relevant applied research for WORTH industries, supplying diverse workforce training products and services to students and working industry professionals, as well as providing extension and outreach to the tourism industry across Wyoming. In 2018, the University of Wyoming began offering the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management (ORTM) degree. The ORTM degree is designed for students who want to connect people to the outdoors and to support the workforce development needs of outdoor recreation and tourism industries in Wyoming. Students pursuing the ORTM degree will learn about stewardship and conservation of natural resources, tourism and outdoor recreation theories and best practices, entrepreneurial and business management strategies, creating outstanding visitor experiences and have a broad understanding of cultural and natural resources. This degree will prepare students for jobs such as Recreation Planner, Adventure Coordinator, Resort Manager, Nature Guide, Environmental Educator, Park Ranger, Outfitter, Interpreter, Recreation Guide, Outdoor Programs Supervisor, Tourism Coordinator, etc. Although members of the WORTH initiative participate in the Southeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative, they support the outdoor recreation industry state-wide. WORTH partners with businesses and organizations to grow and support the outdoor recreation economy across the state.

Brian Parker, WRORC

• Who is your employer? Wyoming Game & Fish Department; Habitat & Access Supervisor, Lander Region
• Which Outdoor Recreation Collaborative(s) do you advise? Wind River Outdoor Recreation Collaborative
• Why do you love your job? I work with a variety of teams to solve problems and facilitate solutions related to wildlife conservation and hunter/fisher/public access.
• What are 3 ways you support outdoor recreation through your work? 1) I Work on a team that manages wildlife habitats resulting in increased hunting opportunities; e.g., elk winter range. 2) I work on a team that manages a variety of infrastructure helping to facilitate recreational access and opportunity; e.g., road/campground/outhouse maintenance. 3) I work on a team that cultivates conservation and access easement purchases, which facilitate and increase hunter/angler/public access opportunities.
• What are some projects you are currently working on? -Seminoe Mountain Rx Fire, Whiskey Basin Bighorn Sheep habitat improvement, Bear Creek Road/Trail Lake Road improvement, and Feed ground hay production.
• How and with whom do you like to spend your free time? In the mountains; on skis and with a pack strings, though typically not at the same time.
• What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know? My painted toenails are a trip barometer.
• What is a place you love to visit in Wyoming to visit, and why? 1.Thorofare-Big Wild for its tradition, culture and history.

Zulima Lopez, NCORC



• Who is your employer, and what is your official job title? City of Casper, Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director
• What organizations and clubs do you participate in? I am a member of the NCORC, the Platte River Trails Trust, the Rotary Club of Casper, and the National Recreation and Parks Association. I'm also involved in Casper's Council of People with Disabilities as a City liaison to that Council.
• Why is outdoor recreation important to you? Recreation, especially recreation that provides access to the outdoors and nature, is vital to the health of a community and its citizens. Whether I'm running, walking, biking, hiking, paddle boarding, or cross country skiing, being outdoors energizes me, while also giving me a sense of calm, peace, and clarity that I can't get anywhere else.
• How do you spend your time outdoors? My husband and I enjoy running, walking, biking, hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, surfing, wakeboarding, and skiing. I also enjoy playing tennis and golf.
• What are your 3 favorite outdoor recreation areas/trails in Wyoming? Only three?! In that case I'm sticking close to home...I think Casper Mountain's Nordic ski trails offer some of the best cross country skiing around. I also love being on the North Platte River and the Platte River Trail system. We are so fortunate in Casper to be able to stay connected to nature right through our urban corridor!
• Why did you choose to join the Outdoor Recreation Collaborative? I was excited by the opportunity to join a team that would actively work to improve access to diverse and high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities in our community. My role at the City will hopefully provide unique insights and partnership opportunities that can help obtain the goals of the collaborative.
• Do you have any project advice for other Collaborative Members in Wyoming? Challenges are inevitable. Focus more on solutions than on problems or obstacles. Also, remember that despite individual interests or priorities, we all have the same ultimate goal: to make outdoor rec accessible and sustainable.