Many of you have commented to me about various ways to simply get the gates down and get our access back. For many of us, that is the main reason we are active on the Land Use Network (LUN) and other efforts. But how do we pull it all together? How do we increase the impact of our individual efforts?

What are the next steps we need to take? Well, I thought I’d offer a couple thoughts and summarize what some of you have been suggesting.

Right off the bat let me say that there is no magic here. Our task is easy and straightforward. We can do it without be bucks. Here’s how.

First, we MUST fully implement the outcomes of such programs at Blitz 97 started on the LUN: Unite; Inform; and Act. It’s a simple plan. We get ALL multiple use folks together and set aside our differences. We inform each other; educate each other; and share our knowledge with a major reachout program to the public. Then we elicit action (letters, calls, meetings).

The Blitz 97 campaign is a major threat to opponents of multiple use of public lands. Why? Because it’s effective.

The key is to get everyone to express their opinion – through letters, meetings, whatever. Our elected officials must know how we feel on major issues. We should have an established relationship with our elected officials. They should know your name.

Next we get involved with our local National Forests and BLM Districts. Adopt-a-Ranger! Be there; be proactive; be part of the system and the solution. Get on board with one of the many types of citizen advisory councils for whatever issue turns your crank. Heck, start one of your own if necessary.

LEARN about the citizen-input process into how our public lands are managed. Be able to quote a few key things from NEPA, CEQA or other key documents/policies/law. Know what Scoping is and how it works. Get on the Environmental Analysis Quarterly report from your local Forest. Request a copy of the Scheduled of Proposed Actions from your Forest or BLM office.

Then, we need to RECRUIT folks to help you become involved. Find someone who is really interested in a particular area and get them to be the "area expert" so they can focus their attention on one topic. In other words, spread the wealth.

Join organized clubs/groups. Be a part of the organized effort and seek new members. Build some handouts about your club or United 4WDA or Blue Ribbon or CA4WDC or whatever; but hand them out. Encourage folks to join and build membership in organized recreation. Make your club cards wallet size so you can hand them out wherever you are.

Seek opportunities to learn about the folks who see the world differently than you do; yes, that includes the Sierra Club and Earth First! Folks. Find out what makes them tick. I’m not asking you to make them your fishing buddy. But we must seek first to understand; then be understood.

Next, keep plugging away. Support fellow club/LUNers/members request for letter support. Write in when someone asks you to. Keep dropping notes to your elected officials about what is important to you. Send them a few bucks now and then to support their re-election. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the attention you’ll get after that.

Learn leadership skills. Become a volunteer leader. Lead your club or group to some environmental victory (such as an adopt a road project that prevented a road closure.). Learn how to motivate folks. Take a few classes at the local community college or high school. Take a seminar on leading volunteers. Three are things to learn here folks. None of us knows it all. That’s for sure. Be inspirational to those around you. Be positive as much as you can. Get folks to want to help you in your quest. Build a support group..