BCH CAZ Annual Meeting

February 27, 2022   12:00pm

  • Meeting called to order – Craig Ferdig.
  • Cowboy Poetry recited by JC Konecny.
  • Intro and mission statement – Craig
    • Background on Almosta Trail System and some of the founders: Jim Higgs, Jim Buchanan, and Spike Hicks
    • Three trail heads: Williamson Valley TH, Almosta Ranch Rd TH, and Stringfields TH. Over 35 miles of trails.
    • Almosta Ranch Rd trail head goes through private community. Be courteous at all times. Our access could be taken away by the community if abused.
  • Financials – Craig.
    • Over $30,000 in checking and over $5,000 in money market
    • We give select 501c donations each year (LASER, EEE, …). $1000 set aside for 2022
    • Grants – in partnership w/ Yavapai Trails Association, to provide maintenance on Almosta trails. Some of the grant money must be matched with volunteer hours.
  • Packing – Thank you to Mark and Lori Stavropoulos for leading the packing efforts, especially for the Kendrick Mountain Fire Watch tower restocking. They showed a pair of custom packs for carrying odd shaped equipment and saws.
  • Membership- over 100 members now.
  • Back Country Horsemen of Arizona – State President Bill Arsenault
    • Focus on growing membership and education of equestrians statewide.
    • Tractor Supply will be working with BCHAZ for membership drives in the stores
    • Growing better relationships with all forest services statewide.
    • Would like to start more chapters (Tucson, Coconino county…)
    • Bill is a Horses with Heart volunteer and always looking for more volunteers
  • Election – introduction of candidates
    • President – Craig Ferdig
    • Vice President –
      • Gayle Gardiner – incumbent. Has led the parade organization and rodeo bartending. 12 years in Prescott.  Helped scouts earn horsemanship badges.
      • Jacque Gorman – owner of Granite Mountain Stables w/ 65 horses.  Would like to increase involvement from locals in BCHCAZ.  Speech Therapist
    • Secretary – Wendy Timmel (Rene Ferdig has stepped down)
    • Treasurer – Joan Bouck from our Sedona group. Strong financial background.
  • Alan White – Public Lands
    • Public land size 618 million acres are public, out of 2.2 billion acres for the entire country.
    • Managed by BLM (Bureau of Land Management – Dept of the Interior) and the NFS (National Forest Service – Dept of Agriculture)
    • Trail user groups are under NFS
    • Bikes / eBikes in the wilderness update
    • Non-equestrian use of Horse Camps. Determined by local NFS.  Rules are non-equestrians will be allowed to camp in horse camps if a site is open after 6pm.  All equestrian users of horse camps should monitory and document all interactions with non-equestrian users.
    • org has videos on their website with more details on policy
  • 2021 Events – Craig
    • Horse Lords
    • Ned Leigh Clinic
    • Cooking breakfast for the Cowboy Poets final day in August
    • Little Thumb Butte Ride and lunch
    • Rodeo bartending
    • Trail Maintenance
    • Multiple rides
    • Bumblebee annual fundraiser – was a success!
    • Trail Safety Coalition – 300 bike bells placed at trail heads.
  • 2022 Events – Craig
    • Groom Creek cleanup scheduled in April. Waiting on NFS for date.
    • Rodeo bartending – Gayle has requested 2 nights this week or 1 full and split night with another group.
    • Rodeo parade over July 4th
    • Trail Safety Coalition – 300 more bike bells placed at trail heads.
    • Memorial Day weekend campout at String Field TH.
    • Multiple rides planned. Dates will follow.
  • Policies and Challenges
    • Equestrians are being squeezed out on the trail; uniting with other equestrian groups is key
    • Non-equestrian campers at horse camps – a white paper is being sent to all rangers regarding concerns of campers unfamiliar with horses and risks. Record all observations and interactions with non-equestrian campers and provide to the US Forest Service.
    • Some horse camps have no trails, but only roads to ride on – Huston Mesa Horse camp near Payson.
    • Still no camp host at Groom Creek. Waiting on NFS to fill the spot.
  • Election results
    • President – Craig Ferdig (there was a rumor of one write-in vote for Mickey Mouse)
    • Vice President – Gayle Gardiner with 25 votes over Jacque Gorman with 21 votes
    • Secretary – Wendy Timmel
    • Treasurer – Joan Bouck

Next Board meeting is Monday, March 7th at 6:30pm.  Open to all members.  Let Craig know if you’d like to attend.

Adjourned.