Vol. 1, Issue 10

Featured Business

The Bike Mill, Lander

WRORC

You will find The Bike Mill in beautiful downtown Lander, located in a unique location within the historic Lander Mill grain elevator. The Bike Mill is a beloved local bike shop dedicated to bringing professional experienced service to the community, accompanied by a hand-selected inventory of bikes and gear that perfectly suits the type of riding that is abundant in the area. The staff has been building the biking scene by developing new trails, hosting events, organizing group rides, and keeping Lander up to date on the latest in mountain biking technology.

While their passion is primarily serving the mountain biking community, they also support everyone, regardless of their experience level or riding ability. Anyone who wants their bike to be operating at its best is their target customer. They keep their team small and experience is a priority at The Bike Mill. By doing so, they can offer better customer service and assure that you and your bike are taken care of by the same industry professionals every time you come in.

The owner of the Bike Mill, Rio Rose, has been dedicated to developing new riding opportunities in Lander since well before The Bike Mill opened in 2013. They have spearheaded projects such as the Brewer's and Upper Brewer's Trail, projects at Johnny Behind the Rocks, and are working on the Sunnyside Trail. Rio has also been a Trails Coordinator for the Lander Cycling Club for over 10 years, which includes working with many land managers and organizing countless volunteer trail work days. Outdoor Recreation is why The Bike Mill exists, and the future is bright. Next time you are in Lander, stop by and meat the team, and see what our small-town service is all about.

Learn more about The Bike Mill

Meet the Advisors

Greg Devereaux

NEWORC

Who is your employer? Wyoming State Parks, Keyhole State Park Superintendent

Which Outdoor Recreation Collaborative(s) do you advise? Northeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative

Why do you love your job? This position gives me an excellent opportunity to serve the public and help build into and support the local culture in a huge way. Everyday provides a fresh chance to make someone's day better and to create a kind and welcoming atmosphere for both park patrons and fellow employees. Wyoming has some of the most beautiful natural resources in the world and improving people's ability to experience these in a meaningful way brings me great joy.

What are 3 ways you support outdoor recreation through your work? We are constantly looking for ways to encourage people to visit the park and see what they are missing. This can come in the form of improving signage and access, building trails and infrastructure, and even just keeping the grass mowed and litter picked up. We not only want to give people opportunities to enjoy the park but also to encourage in them a sense of shared ownership.

What are some projects you are currently working on? We are currently developing an approximately 3-mile trail that will go around the Coulter Bay Area to allow hikers, runners, bikers, and even fishermen to easily recreate off of the main road. It will connect with the existing Cliffs Trail and be a very satisfying hike. We are really looking forward to the public enjoying it.

How and with whom do you like to spend your free time? During the winter season, I spend all of my free time backcountry snowmobiling with my son. Summer season is my least favorite due to the heat and tourist traffic, so I utilize my Jeep to gain access to very remote areas throughout the state, I go until the road ends and from there I continue into the wilderness on foot to fish or hunt.

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know? I minored in French, and I am constantly and unsuccessfully seeking someone to speak French with.

What is a place you love to visit in Wyoming to visit, and why? I've only been here a little over a year, so I have a lot of exploring to do, but I loved a recent trip to Sheridan with my wife as it had the perfect blend of a downtown and recreational opportunity in a beautiful setting. I also had the opportunity to travel across the breathtaking Southern Bighorns on route to a training class in Worland. My third favorite place to visit would be Keyhole State Park, which is truly a hidden gem.

Collaborative Member Spotlight

Sabrina Kemper

NCORC

Who is your employer, and what is your official job title? City of Mills, Community Development Director

Why is outdoor recreation important to you? Outdoor recreation is important to me because we only have so much time on earth and so many places to see. God created a spectacular world and Wyoming is such an absolutely beautiful creation. I have been able to see the most beautiful places I never imagined truly existed because of outdoor recreation. If there were no trails, ATV's, bikes, or the like, this beauty would be too difficult to find.

What organizations and clubs do you participate in? I am a member of the Natrona County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative, Casper Rotary Club, and Casper Area Chamber of Commerce.

How do you spend your time outdoors? My husband and I have started backpacking this year but more on the hiking side than backpacking. We are not quite sure backpacking is for us yet. We love day hikes, out and back, so we can sleep in our Adventure Trailer, which is a utility trailer converted with a murphy bed and some comforts of home. We also have a side by side we take to more remote fishing locations.

What are your 3 favorite outdoor recreation areas/trails in Wyoming? Only 3? This year, we discovered the trail from West Ten Sleep Lake Trailhead to East Ten Sleep Lake; it was amazing. Rotary Park's upper trail is a great local hike and Laramie Peak trail was quite challenging but so worth it when we got to the top. It was also really interesting to find the geothermal cave.

Why did you choose to join the Outdoor Recreation Collaborative? I originally wanted to see if there might be a fit for the City of Mills. I wasn't sure what to expect but found it aligns pretty well with my personal interests. I can see there will be opportunities for the City of Mills in the future that will take some planning to accomplish and by being a part of the collaborative, we will be able to work together to make this happen. I would like the residents of Mills to be proud of their outdoor opportunities.

Do you have any project advice for other Collaborative members in the state? My best advice would probably be to be patient. Outdoor projects do not happen overnight and sometimes seem stagnant when they are actually not. Continual work by a team of people with a common goal is very powerful.

Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives

The Northeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative met most recently in Gillette. Danielle with Tread Lightly! spoke to the Collaborative about the organization, and outlines several grant opportunities that may be a good for for some future motorized projects and event support. The Collaborative spent time discussing the Red Rock Trails that are within the City of Gillette. Currently, this area boasts many unmaintained social trails, and members of the Collaborative are working to form a subcommittee to help to plan a purposefully and sustainably built trail system and trailhead. The group is also looking to form a multi-Collaborative subcommittee to lead the process of creating a state-wide award to celebrate great work in outdoor recreation in the State. This team will be determining the structure and nomination procedure for this award, which will be presented to a deserving Individual or organization at the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit.

Check out Tread Lightly!

The Park County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative's October meeting had a packed agenda. Guest presenter Corey Class from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department discussed the impacts of outdoor recreation on wildlife. John Gallagher shared a video from Wyoming Pathways showcasing some of their incredible trail work in the Lander area. The Project Process subcommittee presented their flow chart that will help guide Collaborative Members through the steps of taking a project on public land from a basic idea to a finished product.

Project updates were given on the Outlaw Trails, the grand opening of the new boat ramp in Powell, and the Lane 17 access bridge. Several new projects were brought to the table including Spirit Mountain Recreation Area, a disc golf course in Cody, and a project at Belfry Bridge that would add a new boat ramp with several other amenities. Subcommittees will be formed to explore all of these projects.

PCORC Project Flow Chart

The Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative had two guest presenters at their meeting in Ten Sleep. Kevin from the Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) asked for the Collaborative to recommend communities along the proposed trail corridor that would be ready to receive a planning grant to help them work towards a Rail Trail in their area. This is a new $40,000 grant that is facilitated though the RTC. The group also hosted Chauncey from the Snow Angel Foundation, Who shared his story and his work for safety advocacy in ski areas across the Nation. WYDOT was in attendance, and was able to clarify some key information and make recommendations on a project that may include crossing a highway in the Big Horns. WYDOT representatives advise all 7 of the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives. The BLM is considering new fees and fee increases in selected campgrounds, and the group was asked to provide feedback.

#Ride Another Day with the Snow Angel Foundation

Sweetwater County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative: In order for the Collaborative Charter to remain accurate and relevant, SCORC members have spent time updating their Charter, which re-signed by collaborative members at the last general meeting. During the months of October and November, the three project subcommittees will continue to meet to discuss topics and action items. Southwest Wyoming locals have been involved in the public engagement process and are awaiting the finalization of several guidance documents including the Ashley National Forest Land Management Plan (Forest Service), the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Management Plan (Forest Service), and the Rock Springs Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan (Bureau of Land Management). The November meeting agenda includes a guest speaker, updates from subcommittees, and planning for future collaborative work and service projects.

Wind River Outdoor Recreation Collaborative:

Toward the end of September, two events were attended/hosted by Collaborative members. First, was the Thursday Business After Hours hosted by the Wind River Visitors Council in celebration of Lander-South Pass City's official designation as a Continental Divide Trail Gateway Community. Thru-hiker Danny Knoll shared his experience on the trail. The second event was the Government Draw Clean-Up on September 30th. This event was in celebration of National Public Lands Day. In 4 hours, over 18 cubic yards of trash was collected by 21 participants. There will be more events like this at Government Draw in the future! The collaborative voted to submit a letter of support to the city of Riverton for their Pathways Improvement Project. The Collaborative continues to support work on the Sunnyside Trail in Sinks Canyon. A state shooting complex discussion, updates from subcommittees, and a presentation are on the agenda for the November meeting.

Comment on The Sunnyside Trail

The Natrona County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative: At the October NCORC meeting, updates were given about projects happening in the City of Mills, the City of Casper, Natrona County Parks, including a joint effort for a Park and Rec Master Plan. The Hell's Half Acre subcommittee presented their project to the Collaborative and asked for a letter of support. They are currently collecting public comments on the project through a survey. Brian Shain from Casper Shooters Club discussed a project at Stukenhoff's Shooting Complex. They would like to expand this complex so that it will draw people from all over the country for shooting competitions. There are very few venues in this region of the US that can host large shooting events. Motorized State Trails will be looking at some trails in the Ponderosa area of Casper Mountain and help with some repairs in that area next year.

Parks and Rec Master Plan in the News

Southeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative: During the month of October, several SWORC action items were completed. Charter signatories voted to submit a letter of support for the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest Fee Proposal and Charter signatories were updated. Celia, OREC Specialist, is working with a local company to get t-shirts made with the collaborative logo. The shirt color will likely be a coral-orange to compliment the logo. There will be extra shirts ordered for those who did not fill out the form with their t-shirt size. On October 9th, Collaborative members participated in a site visit at Roger Canyon, North of Laramie. As a result of that meeting, there will be a subcommittee forming to collaborate on a community plan for the area. The November meeting will include a guest presenter, subcommittee updates, and other project discussions.

Learn more about sites managed by BLM at this interactive map:

In the News

SAVE THE DATE

Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit

April 18-20, 2024 in Casper

The WORTH Initiative and the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation are pleased to announce the 1st annual Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit. The summit will take place April 18-20th, 2024, at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center in Downtown Casper, Wyoming.

Inspired and driven by the success of the Emerging Issues Forum, the summit will provide a space for the outdoor recreation industry to come together to discuss issues, celebrate, learn from successes and challenges, and work cooperatively to build Wyoming outdoor recreation in a responsible and sustainable way.

April 18-19th will focus on outdoor recreation industry from a holistic standpoint, while April 20th will be dedicated to building capacity and knowledge for Wyoming Search and Rescue (SAR) teams. Registration for both events will open November 15th.

Please consider submitting a proposal for the summit on an outdoor recreation-related topic of your choosing: presentations, case studies, facilitated workshops, keynotes, and other formats are accepted through our call for proposals. Delivery methods that involve audience participation, group work, or facilitated discussions are encouraged. We want this summit to best serve Wyoming’s outdoor recreation industry, so please do not hesitate to submit your ideas.

Please sign up for the WORS mailing list. This will keep you informed about any and all updates regarding the summit, including pre-registration, keynote speaker announcements, and more.

Tread Lightly! Offers FREE Education Posters

Tread Lightly! is a non-profit organization that leads a national initiative to promote the responsible use of motorized vehicles when recreating outdoors. Their goal is to balance the off-road and off-highway vehicle (OHV) users’ need for adventure with the need to conserve the places where they ride and explore.

To support this, they offer a wide range of projects, programs, trainings, and educational materials to promote a responsible outdoor recreation message. Their work includes educating off-road and OHV users on responsible riding practices, reducing the impact on the environment and protecting natural and cultural resources.

This year, Tread Lightly! has updated their poster design and photo options to freshen them up and make them more relevant to address current recreation issues. The posters can be customized to address concerns to motorized recreation, shooting sports, personal watercraft, e-bikes, cultural recourses, water recreation, camping, hiking, snow, and more.

Click Here for 20 FREE Customized Education Posters