Equestrian Network Magazine


	Building Trails That Change Lives

	Last summer I packed gear and bridge materials to assist U.S. Forest Service work projects. Most of the work was being done in national forests by members of the California Conservation Corps (CCC's or sometimes referred to as "the C's" in the field.) These were partnership projects of the CCC's, the U.S. Forest Service and the Backcountry Horsemen of California.


	When I am packing I am usually focused on the work at hand, keeping my pack stock in line and ensuring that my loads are stable. But on this particular day, for a moment the beauty of the country overwhelmed me. I was awestruck with the river roaring beside me, the mountaintops capped with fresh snow, and the trees sporting hundreds of shades of green, as far as the eye could see.

	I was reminded once again, just how important these trails are. These are paths that make a way for anyone to walk or ride deep into this wilderness of incredible beauty. The trails had been groomed and laid with great footing, for either hikers or stock. At first glance one would think that the hikers and equestrians were the sole benefactors of the CCCs' hard work. That is what I thought, until I got to know the members of the crews working on these trails.



	Take Holly Barbush, a 20-year-old from Redding, California. Holly joined the CCC's in September 2003. "The C's changed my life," she said with a warm smile. "I had left home at age 14 and had been involved in drugs for almost five years. I had just gotten out of a bad relationship and was pretty screwed up emotionally, when a friend applied for a job with the C's and I went and applied also. Here I am," she beamed." What is working for the C's like? "Hard work, low pay, miserable conditions and the best experience of your life, if you're willing to push yourself," she replied. "If you're willing to change, this job will change you, and for the better," she said with a knowing grin.

	That is a common story among these young adults. Forrest King, a 25-year-old from Mt. Shasta, said, "Now I'm doing what I was meant to do. I've held other jobs, but they were just that, jobs. I was meant to be outside."

	Bryant Howley, a 21-year-old from Redding said, "It's the best job I ever had and now I hope to work full-time for the Forest Service. I have learned a big lesson in life here. Finish what you start. Once you get started you learn you can do anything." Chris Larman, another 21-year-old from Redding said, "I'm going to be successful in life. I won't quit or give up at whatever I do. I know this job will build a good foundation for the rest of my life." He added, "Here I have realized how I can accomplish things more easily, show my leadership skills, and how to become a hard-working individual focused on my own goals and not just those of others."

	Many of these young adults pack up their gear on their backs and move into the forest for many weeks at a time. These are the wilderness crews and their days begin early. They rise at 5:00 a.m. and prepare breakfast, eat and wash dishes, prepare their lunches and head off to the trails before 7:00 or 8:00am. Trail work is hard and strenuous. Men and women do the same work, side by side. Hard work has no prejudices, it just needs to be done. These are the trail blazers who break the rocks, carry the timbers, and cut the fallen trees, clearing the way for equestrians and hikers to see the incredible vistas.

	The pay for these jobs is small and the work is hard. But to hear them talk, it is well worth the sacrifices. Christopher Loutsonhizer, a 22-year-old from Weed, California said, "I would do this job just for the experience." But he is taking advantage of one of the other benefits available to the C's, the opportunity to continue their education. Some who have quit high school have the opportunity to go back and complete their G.E.D. In fact, the CCC's employ teachers who work with the youth to complete their high school diplomas and work towards college. College scholarships are available to all who complete one year of service in the C's.



	After completing a college degree, Christopher wants to return and work for the Forestry (Fire) Service or park law enforcement. "I've never been much of a people person, but now I talk to everyone. I have made many friends and now I want to go to college," he said smiling.

	"Who is the true winner here?" I asked Ken Graves, an employee of the U.S. Forest Service. Ken replied, "This is a win, win for everyone. And many are involved, whether they know it or not. Tax dollars begin this process of benefit for everyone. The youth get jobs and a workplace that breeds maturity. Working alongside Backcountry Horsemen, they work with some of the actual people who will be using the trails and benefiting from their hard work. The people who visit here get to share in this incredible backcountry and have the benefit of riding and hiking on well-maintained trails. That's a big win for everyone."

	Alan Hill has been a member of the Backcountry Horsemen of California for fifteen years. He is a past president of the Shasta Trinity Unit of the Backcountry Horsemen, past chairman of the Backcountry Horsemen of America and is now the public liaison for the Backcountry Horsemen of America. These are organizations dedicated to preserving and working on the backcountry trails alongside groups like the CCC's, assisting with U.S. Forest Service and national parks projects. Alan says, "You can't imagine better marriage partners, to make this thing happen."

	However, Alan tries to keep it all in perspective. He says, "The focus needs to be pulled from the work they accomplish and re-directed to the value added of becoming worthwhile and productive citizens." He is taking nothing away from the hard work, but is aware of the true value of such work. "Since we started, it's been a fascinating experience to see these kids early in the season when they first arrive, until they leave for home. To see the evolution into hard-working, mature adults is just amazing," he states.

	"It's fascinating to see these kids arrive. They don't know each other, are in a completely strange environment, and they are trying to function as a community. Social activities help them to become a very cohesive group of hard-working kids. What makes it work is the leadership that is provided, the mentorship and training is the real success story. Without this leadership these kids can go to "no man's land." Up in the mountains there are no drugs, no alcohol, no TV or radios, so they must rely on each other for social interaction. You can imagine the conflicts that would exist without good leadership. The quality of that leadership has been exceptional," Alan adds.

	One of the leaders Alan is referring to is Linda Burkhalter, a CCC supervisor. I asked her, "What is it about these forest and mountains that changes these young people's lives?" She explained, "Crew dynamics are really important. Like in a chain, the links are small, but they are very important and have immediate impact. For example, if the person who is assigned to cook doesn't get up on time, then breakfast is late. The whole crew suffers. It is real inter-dependence. People are counting on you and it has big consequences if you don't carry your weight and this develops accountability."

	"Corp members in the woods understand they have to be responsible for their own actions and they depend on others, where in the city they didn't depend on anyone. The program works because they have to depend on others to get things done,"she continues."

	Another element that causes change is what is important. In the woods you don't need much. At home, other things are important. Linda said, "Corps members have arrived with items like cases of Coke, hair dryers, CD players and Ipods." They quickly learn these things are no longer important. In the forest you need a warm sleeping bag and tents set up properly. Fires to be made and food to be prepared, these things are important, not what is on TV.

	Linda adds, "I see them transform from being needy kids to being self-reliant young men and women. They change from young kids to productive young adults. Once you come back into life from the woods, you are able to cut through the garbage and get back to priorities, like school and not making poor choices. You have learned that poor choices have immediate consequences, and with good choices you are ready to move on. You learn to be prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally."

	Joyce Anderson, District Ranger for the U.S. Forest Service in Weaverville, CA, says that "The partnership between the Forest Service, BCHC and CCC this last year was instrumental in maintaining trails in the Trinity Alps. It is so very rewarding to listen to the stories of the young CCC partners on how working on the trails has changed their lives and the wilderness."

	Like the question, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" Who is benefiting the most from this partnership? It really doesn't matter. Because in this case, everyone wins.





	Garry rode the length of California on horseback with a packhorse in 2003. The trip took 3 1/2 months and covered 1350 miles. Upon completion of this trip, Garry became a member of The Long Riders Guild. Now he is President of the Ohlone Riders Unit of the Backcountry Horsemen of California. He is a horse trainer and NARHA Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor. As a member of the Wilderness Rider Program, Garry is a trained and certified instructor and spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service, National Parks Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Game Department and Backcountry Horsemen of California. He is an equestrian writer and has had over 100 articles published in 15 magazines. Garry is Chairman of the Board of The DreamPower Foundation, which provides equine therapy to children and adults with mental and emotional problems. In 2004, Garry retired from a 20 - year career as an Executive in Silicon Valley.


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