I have often tired to get the "Take Pride in America" threat onto the radar screens of the environmental community. So far, nothing has worked. Perhaps the appended article from the current issue of the BlueRibbon Coalition's magazine will help folks appreciate that this volunteerism-based program is an important component in the American Recreation Coalitions' strategy for commercializing, privatizing and YES MOTORIZING, recreational opportunities on America's public lands.

Volunteerism, like user fees, is a privatization tool used to gain special access by special-interest groups. As federal agency recreation budgets are cut ever-more deeply, recreation management will progressively transfer to those who are prepared to give either time or money.  TPIA is a privatization tool heavily supported and endorsed by the motorized recreation industry.

To learn more about TPIA, go to ARC's homepage and follow the links or go to TPIA's official webpage at www.takepride.gov . If anyone would like to view a "proof" version of TPIA's soon-to-be-released brochure, you can find it here. This is quite a special document. You'd think it came directly from the Government, what with it's introductory statements by President Bush and Gale Norton. Nowhere does it say that this is an ARC program .... but when you get to the very bottom of the last page you'll see a mailing address given for the "Take Pride in America Partners Council" and that address is the same as ARC's mailing address.

Scott

PS... A very few non-motorized recreation groups have, perhaps by accident, become associated with this Take Pride in America program. Were it not for their involvement, exposing TPIA as a fraud would be a snap. So if anyone reading this message belongs to one of those groups, I'd ask that you please do all you can to divorce your organization from this effort. You'll be doing the environmental community and your organization a favor!!! 

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"TAKE PRIDE IN AMERICA" PLEDGE DRIVE
by John Stewart, Director of Environmental Affairs, United Four Wheel Drive Associations

It began during a phone call and escalated during an email exchange. The Secretary of Interior, Gale Norton, was interested in reviving the Take Pride In American program featuring volunteer efforts on public lands. This year offered the opportunity to promote volunteer efforts to help restore damaged public lands after another season of disastrous wildfires had charred over 730,000 acres of Southern California. A promotional campaign was laid out that used the Tournament of Roses Parade as a venue to boost volunteerism.

According to the plan, Secretary Norton would be riding in the Tournament of Roses Parade with the WOW-Wonderful Outdoor World kids to publicize a New Years Resolution Pledge Drive soliciting ten hours of volunteer work per person to achieve a goal of 730,000 volunteer hours, one volunteer hour for every acre burned in Southern California. She would be carrying pledges of volunteer hours received during the press conference with her during the parade.

A key ingredient was missing: Representation by major recreation organizations. Knowing that numerous California recreation organizations routinely volunteer many undocumented hours for public service, I set out to count some of the effort and provide a pledge. Within a span of less than two weeks, members of recreation organizations began reporting hours they currently commit to volunteer activities and pledged to continue or exceed that level of effort for the next year. Volunteer efforts are needed to help plant trees, clean up recreation sites, restore trails and perform other tasks needed to rehabilitate damaged land.

A press conference was arranged for December 31, 2003 at Pasadena's Rosemont Pavilion where Secretary Norton and Marti Allbright, Take Pride in America Executive Director, would receive volunteer hour pledges from Sue Bray, Good Sam Club Executive Director; John Stewart, Director of Environmental Affairs for the United Four Wheel Drive Associations, and other partners that would be carried during the New Years Day Parade.

The big day arrived. Accompanied by CJ "Sparkplug" Stewart, Executive Director, Cleveland National Forest Off Highway Volunteers Association, I arrived at the Pasadena Rosemont Pavilion with time to spare before the 10:00 a.m. press conference. We quickly assembled some "media kits," proceeded to the gate, and were escorted inside. We were at ground floor level where the parade floats were in final decoration stage. The public is afforded the opportunity to view the float decoration area from a catwalk overlooking the floor level activities. We were at ground level, generally off-limits to all but float construction crews.

Security measures were evident. Visitors were under the watchful eyes of numerous security guards. A police escorted, bomb sniffing dog inspected the various nooks and crannies in the pavilion. Local TV news crews began arriving and setting up cameras. The sound system was tested. Presenters received last minute instructions of where to stand. Secretary Norton and the official party arrived. Show time was approaching.

Promptly at 10:00 a.m. Derrick Crandall, President of American Recreation Coalition, began opening remarks. Secretary Norton presented her vision of Take Pride In America and desire to see volunteer efforts help restore fire damaged public lands. Marti Allbright continued with a roll call of presenters. The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts presented their pledges. The Good Sam Club presented their pledges. My turn arrived. During my introduction, Marti read a list of fifteen recreation organizations that offered pledges totaling 150,000 volunteer hours. I presented Secretary Norton with the pledge check from Multiple Use Recreation Organizations for the 150,000 volunteer hours pledged.

The ceremony ended with almost 450,000 volunteer hours pledged. After a brief photograph opportunity session, a VIP tour of the float decoration area began. This was a "behind the scenes tour" with the opportunity to view the floats up close.

The following organizations were named during the press conference as supporting the pledge of volunteer hours:

• United Four Wheel Drive Associations
• Cleveland National Forest Off Highway Volunteers
• San Bernardino National Forest Off Highway Volunteers
• Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep
• Friends of the Rubicon
• Warrior's Society
• Tierra del Sol Four Wheel Drive Club of San Diego
• California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs
• American Sand Association
• American Motorcycle Association - District 37
• Arizona State Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs
• Colorado Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs
• North East Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs
• Rubicon Owners Club of America
• Back Country Horsemen of California
  

This list of organizations represents a variety of recreation interests from motorized to mechanized (mountain bikes) to non-motorized (equestrian). They all depend on public lands for recreation, are concerned with the health of the environment, and committed to maintaining access to public lands.
So, you don't live in Southern California? Opportunities to participate in Take Pride In America exist nationwide. Your efforts locally help by allowing the federal agencies to allocate their scarce resources to areas of critical need: restoring fire damaged areas.

Recreation volunteers have been a powerful, but silent, force. Their efforts are recognized and appreciated by few. Take Pride In America is a way to recognize the efforts of volunteers. Each year clubs nationwide spend hundreds of hours cleaning and maintaining trails. The site may be the Rubicon Trail, a desert sand dune, or a country road in Virginia or New England. The action is many people caring about the environment and their recreation opportunities.

Over the coming year, many volunteer opportunities will be available. Volunteer assistance will be requested. Please support the volunteer pledge with a few hours of your time. We all benefit from the combined efforts of concerned recreationists. Active participation helps promote access for all. Your participation is needed to keep public lands and trails open.
 

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