The Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) have signed a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperatively construct and expand work projects and educational programs that will encourage recreational equestrian activities on National Forest System lands nationwide.

The agreement enables the two organizations to work together in creating and implementing educational programs designed to increase public awareness about land use, conservation, recreation, and the responsible use of natural resources in relation to equestrian and recreational use. Work projects such as trail development, construction, maintenance, and preservation can also be carried out under the agreement.

Currently, the agreement is a resource available exclusively to current ELCR Conservation Partners, a national membership program for organizations in which the partners and their members play a critical role in educating horsemen across the country about the immediate need to conserve land for equine-related activity. While the general public aren’t being given access to the agreement at this time, enthusiasts can work with local conservation partners to expand or improve the trails available for use in their area.

Conservation partners are able to present the agreement to their local FS official and recommend that the two groups work together. If an agreement is reached, local FS officials will work closely with ELCR Conservation Partners in that area to pursue the proposed opportunities