WIFI WILDLIFE 

AT-RISK YOUTHS LEND A HAND TO HELP THE LAND 

CHATTING WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 

A HIGH-TECH TREASURE HUNT 

OHV RIDERS CONSERVE OREGON FORESTS 

(Take it Outside!)
2

OP-“ED”
 

SUMMER SUN MAY BE SLOW IN COMING, 

BUT YOU’D NEVER KNOW IT IN OREGON AND 

WASHINGTON. We at the BLM are thrilled to see so many 

families enjoying virtually every type of recreation in America’s 

Great Outdoors come rain or shine. From hiking lush forests to 

riding OHVs on sustainable trails to rafting wild rivers, millions 

of folks in the Pacifi c Northwest love getting out on their public 

lands.

Inside our summer recreation issue of Northwest Passage, we’re 

covering two activities that have seen recent rises in popularity. 

The fi rst is geocaching, a modern-day treasure hunt. Participants 

use high-tech tools to pinpoint a hidden cache. But the biggest 

reward is not what’s hidden, it’s in the exciting journey to fi nd it. 

And because using these tools is like bringing the internet to the 

outdoors, geocaching is a great way to get kids out of the house. 

Plus most smart phones have a free or low-cost application (“app”) 

that will allow you to get out and join the fun right now.

The other activity we’re spotlighting is off-highway vehicle 

(OHV) riding. At the BLM’s Shotgun OHV Trail System near 

Eugene, Oregon, we’ve partnered with the local community to 

develop paths that are so good they keep riders on the public trails 

and off the nearby natural landscape and private property. 

Edward W. Shepard

State Director

Oregon/Washington 

Bureau of Land Management

But recreation isn’t all we’re about this issue. The public lands 

in Oregon and Washington offer another exciting resource – jobs. 

Over the past decade, we’ve partnered with the Oregon Youth 

Authority, our state’s juvenile crime prevention task force, to offer 

young people the opportunity to work on environmental restoration 

projects. These youths are helping not only their communities but 

also themselves as they get real-world job training that has prepared 

a number of them for careers upon completion of the program. When 

you read our interview with Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar 

also in this issue, you’ll see we’re right on track with the national 

effort to bring together youths, employment, and the outdoors. 

Then after you’ve read about all the recreation and opportunities 

on your local BLM lands, I hope we’ll see you out there this summer. 

No matter what your passion is, we’ve got you covered. Even if we 

don’t need our sunscreen quite yet. 

Thanks for reading and see you soon.
Summer 3

2011

Outdoors. Next stop, jetpacks.

This Month’s Cover

WiFi Wildlife

FEATURES & 

DEPARTMENTS
 

6

BLM On Film Part II

It’s the summer movie season, 

and we’re back with a sequel just 

like Hollywood. Our prediction? 

Better than The Hangover II.

2

Op - “Ed”

4

8

Interview with 

the Secretary

We stow away aboard the Secretary 

of the Interior’s airplane to chat about 

renewable energy, youth employment, 

and cell phone greetings.

12

X Marks the Spot

High-tech gadgets get kids off the 

couch and into America’s Great 

5

Our Contributors

16

Scenic & Historic Trails

18

District Round-Up

26

22

Restoring the Land,

Restoring the Human Spirit

The BLM partners with 

Oregon’s at-risk youths to 

rebuild the environment 

– and their future.

32

Back Country

28

Bridging the Gap

photo by matt christenson 

youtube.com/blmoregon 

facebook.com/blmoregon 

twitter.com/blmoregon 

flickr.com/photos/blmoregon 
 

 

 

 

This Month’s Cover 

Take it Outside! 

V o l u m e 3 Issue 2 

W W W . B L M . G O V / O R 

Ed Shepard / publisher 

Jody Weil / editorial director 

Matt Christenson / editor & art director 

Teddi Duling / copy editor 

Shelly York / production coordinator 

contributors 

Michael Campbell, Matt Christenson, 

Jeff Clark, Molly Cobbs, Chris Knauf, 

Megan Harper, Kurt Heckeroth, Ariel 

Hiller, Trish Hogervorst, Christina 

Lilienthal, Tara Martinak, Michael 

Mascari, Pam Robbins, Cheyne 

Rossbach, Scott Stoffel, Maria Thi Mai, 

Jim Whittington, Mark Wilkening 

photographers 

Matt Christenson, Jeff Clark, John 

Craig, Mike Fieber, Michael Mascari, 

Mike Millay, Merrie Richardson, Cheyne 

Rossbach, Scott Stoffel, Maria Thi Mai 

contact 

Northwest Passage is a publication of 

Bureau of Land Management 

Oregon State Offi ce 

333 SW 1st Ave 

6th Floor 

Portland, OR 97204 

503.808.6035 

or_northwest_passage@blm.gov 

mission 

The BLM’s mission is to sustain the 

health, diversity, and productivity of the 

public lands for the use and enjoyment 

of present and future generations. In 

Oregon and Washington, the BLM 

provides innovative leadership in 

managing natural resources of the 

Pacifi c Northwest. 

justin weil’s geocache treasure : photograph by jeff clark 

As a kid, I hated the outdoors. I know, I know... It’s a strange thing to admit for 

someone who works for the BLM. But I couldn’t stand the family fishing trips

where the only thing I was guaranteed to catch was a bout of seasickness. 

Then at some point, some friends introduced us to the sport of mountain biking. (Though 

at the time in the late 70’s, we called it “BMX.”) Pedaling a rugged bike through trails, up 

and down (oh man, don’t forget down) the hills of Michigan was the most thrilling thing I’d 

ever experienced. My first thought was to ask, “Is this the same outdoors I used to dread?” 

But I didn’t because I was afraid someone would get wise and stick me back on my dad’s 

fishing boat.

While I was divebombing those Michigan hills, surreptitiously getting incredible exercise, 

I came to realize each brand of outdoor recreation isn’t necessarily for everyone. And that’s

okay. In fact, it’s great. I didn’t want my trails getting overrun just as my parents would have 

been sad to see their favorite fishing spots become too crowded. 

In a way, this zenful attitude is the perfect illustration of the BLM’s multiple use mission. 

Whether we’re creating sustainable OHV trails (page 28), introducing people to geocaching 

(page 12), or highlighting our scenic and historic trails (page 16), the BLM has perhaps the most

diverse selection of activities to be found on any public lands. And if none of the ones I’ve 

mentioned grab you, just check out our online recreation search engine. It’s super easy. It maps 

out all the recreation hotspots nearest you: blm.gov/j35c. Give it a spin and see what comes up. 

See you on the public lands this summer! – Matt Christenson 

4
 

 

 

Our Contributors 



Kurt Heckeroth Michael Mascari 

Jeff Clark 



Scott Stoffel 

Ariel Hiller 

Matt Christenson 









 A green thumb leads to a silver lining! Returning Northwest  He’s a Triple Threat! Back with two articles this issue is Jeff Clark. 

Passage contributor and BLM botanist Kurt Heckeroth has long Director, photographer, writer: he literally can do it all. First Jeff continues

worked with Oregon’s at-risk youths on projects to restore the habitat his series about classic films shot on BLM lands with recent art house hit

around streams and forests. Thanks to Kurt’s care for both the land Meek’s Cutoff produced in eastern Oregon. (Page 6) Then Jeff takes us 

as well as the people who live on it, these young people are now to the future of treasure hunting with an article about geocaching on 

finding positive new career opportunities they never knew existed. public lands. (Page 12) Apparently you use some newfangled sci-fi gizmo 

And keep an eye on our YouTubeTM page for a series of videos where that tracks every move you make. Which sounds kind of like FacebookTM 

you can meet Kurt in person: youtube.com/blmoregon (Page 22) but without FarmVille or those repeated friend requests from your mom. 

 The wizard of writing. When we first heard Ariel Hiller  Speaking of newfangled technology... Scott Stoffel describes

was taking leave from her post as community planner for the BLM how the BLM uses WiFi technology to track sage-grouse in eastern 

in Roseburg, Oregon, to work with the public affairs team, we at Oregon. This project proactively studies their behavior patterns and 

Northwest Passage literally begged her to sprinkle her magic dust habitat to carefully conserve the species in light of oncoming renewable 

on our summer issue. She generously worked with Kurt to give his energy projects such as wind turbines to be installed in the high desert. 

project all the sparkle it richly deserves. Superstar! (Page 22) (Page 26) P.S. Sage-grouse want a faster internet connection, too.

 Go Ducks?! Michael really, really wanted us to use this photo, 

but we’re not sure what it means. We think his point is that he’s such a 

massive Oregon Ducks fan he was willing to wear some random college’s

sweatshirt and take a public beating from a sweaty kid in a bird costume 

that’s never seen the inside of a washing machine. The power of ducks?

(My college mascot was a tree, so who am I to judge? - Ed.) (Page 28) 

 I’m literally writing about myself in the third person. And it 

ain’t pretty. Want to read about someone else? Like maybe you? Please 

submit articles, photos, or story ideas for future issues of Northwest 

Passage to or_northwest_ passage@blm.gov. Then next issue we’ll see 

your photo in the spotlight. In the meantime, I have a cool voicemail 

greeting. 503.808.6035 – check it out. (Page 8) 

Summer

2011 5
6

STORY BY JEFF CLARK

ORIGINAL PHOTO OSCILLOSCOPE LABORATORIES
Summer 7

2011

 

 

BB

Filmed around BLM-managed land in 

eastern Oregon, Meek’s Cutoff delivers 

a realistic portrayal of the pioneer 

journey on the Oregon Trail. 

Pioneers’ Progress 

efore moving to the Northwest, my knowledge

of the Oregon Trail was mostly limited to dying 

of cyber-dysentery in the classic computer game of the same 

name while eating fruit roll-ups in my parents’ basement. I 

knew those 16-bit graphics minimized the harsh conditions faced 

by pioneers trying to cross Oregon. But recently, a new film 

promises to bring those trials to the big screen in a realistic way. 

The new film is called Meek’s Cutoff, and it’s inspired by the 

infamous true story of mountain man Stephen Meek who was 

hired in 1845 to lead a wagon train over the Cascade Mountains. 

Claiming to know a shortcut, Meek took the group on an 

unmarked path across eastern Oregon’s high plains desert only 

to become tragically lost. Isolated and running out of supplies, 

the group faced hunger, thirst, and a growing lack of faith in each 

other and their guide. 

Meek’s Cutoff was primarily shot around Hines and Burns, 

Oregon, in Harney County which means BLM-managed lands 

feature prominently in a film described by the Village Voice as 

“visually stunning and extraordinarily textured.” Many reviews 

have specifically praised director Kelly Reichardt for her creative 

use of this austere landscape. 

While Meek’s Cutoff is in the middle of a limited release as of 

writing this article, it may not be in theaters by publication time. 

Fortunately, it should be available on DVD and Blu-ray soon. 

But you don’t have to wait to see this land for yourself and learn 

more about the Oregon Trail. You can take your own journey 

out to the high desert in southeast Oregon. And you can learn 

more about the pioneers’ travails by visiting the BLM’s National 

Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City, 

Oregon. This BLM site offers living history demonstrations, 

interpretive programs, exhibits, multi-media presentations, and 

more than four miles of interpretive trails. 

But if you’re going to undertake such a journey, don’t make the 

same mistakes as Meek’s pioneers. Bring a map, stay on major 

roads, and make sure you bring enough supplies. I recommend 

fruit roll-ups.



To learn more about the Oregon Trail, please visit the BLM 

online at: http://www.blm.gov/or/oregontrail/ 
8
 

 

 

Northwest Passage’s Matt Christenson provided photography support 

for Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s recent trip to Washington 

state. During a rare quiet moment, they had a chance to chat about 

youth employment, renewable energy, and funny voicemail greetings. 

INTERVIEW SECRETARY WITH

THE

Northwest Passage (NWP): First things fi rst. Seattle Mariners or 

Portland Trailblazers? Or the Portland Timbers, our new soccer team? 

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar (KS): (Laughs) I think we’ll 

go with the Portland Timbers. 

NWP: Nice. They’re my favorite, too. Okay, a little more substantive. 

I know your schedule is pretty relentless. But when you have downtime 

in the Pacifi c Northwest, is there anything in particular you like to do? 

KS: What I’d really like to do is spend a lot more time out in the 

field. There are so many great places in Washington and Oregon. I’ve 

been to many of them. I’ve flown over them. Today we were above 

the San Juan Islands. And I’d really like to spend time on the Islands 

themselves. I’m planning on coming back to Washington in September 

and will be doing a number of activities including some river restoration 

efforts. 

NWP: We’ll be looking forward to it. In 2009, you established the 

Offi ce of Youth in Natural Resources at the Department of the Interior. 

What’s the best way the BLM can connect American youths with natural 

resources and their public lands? And what can they expect to get out 

of that experience? 

KS: At the Interior and very much supported by the President, we 

have launched a major youth conservation corps initiative. We had 

21,543 young people work with us in 2010. We expect to expand that 

(effort), and BLM is very much a part of it. The BLM has been a great 

participant in that effort, including here in the San Juan Islands where 

young people are signed up to work on the ground. 

Summer
 2011
 9
 

 

 

 

10

KS: There are really two reasons why we (employ youths). One is that 

it helps us do our work. Workers come in and help carry out the mission 

of the agencies and the Department of the Interior. And secondly, it’s a 

great way to teach young people and get them involved with conservation 

initiatives across the country. We have many conservation initiatives with 

the BLM that I’m very proud of. 

NWP: And for the young people themselves, what might they expect to 

gain from this experience? 

KS: Once people have experienced the outdoors, they love it. Whether 

it’s hiking or biking or mountain climbing. Whatever it is, they grow 

attached to it. Sometimes their whole livelihood is determined by the 

experiences they get to have with the Department of the Interior and its 

agencies. 

NWP: Defi nitely. You’ve also championed a renewable energy 

economy that reduces our dependency on foreign energy sources. How do 

you see the BLM moving forward in that direction, and what are some of 

the more promising sources of renewable energy available domestically? 

KS: The President and I have been pushing very hard for a 

comprehensive energy program that includes conventional fuels such as 

oil and natural gas but also renewable energy. We’re working very hard to 

harvest the power of the sun, geothermal, and wind. And the BLM is the 

point of the spear on that (development). Under the leadership of (BLM 

Director) Bob Abbey, Deputy Director (Mike) Pool, and the state directors 

across the country, we’ve launched a whole new renewable energy agenda. 

I’d say to the people of this country that if you want to look at renewable 

energy and where we’re going, you really have to see what the BLM has 

done. What we’ve done in renewable energy over the last two and one-half

years has been a game-changing program.

NWP: My last question is pretty short. Since we’ve been taping 

this interview on my phone, would you mind recording a personalized 

voicemail greeting for me? 

KS: Hi, this is Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Matt’s busy right 

now protecting America’s Great Outdoors. So please leave a message at 

the beep. Thank you.* 

*To hear Secretary Ken Salazar’s greeting, call Matt’s voicemail at 503.808.6035 
INTERVIEW & PHOTOS BY MATT CHRISTENSON 

Summer
 2011
 11
12

Welcome to 

the future. 

The high-tech treasure hunt known as 

geocaching is getting kids off the couch to discov

the excitement of America’s Great Outdoors. 
Summer 13

2011

 

 

o
 

.
 

ver 

 ustin’s heart skips with excitement. 

Standing beneath a tall Douglas fir he awaits 

instructions from the group, most of whom are 

huddled around handheld Global Positioning 

System (GPS) units. “We’ve got the location,” 

his group leader says as they begin grabbing 

gear to move out. “Justin, try and find us a 

bridge. We need to cross this river.” 

Justin heads toward the river’s edge. This 

is his favorite part of the hunt: visiting new 

lands and traversing different – and difficult – 

terrain. Spotting a bridge, he signals the others 

and waits for them to regroup so they can 

cross over the rapids into a fog-filled forest. 

As he waits, the sun snakes through the trees 

casting an ethereal glow over the landscape. 

The group arrives, moving soundlessly across 

moss-covered trails and mist-soaked wooden 

walkways. 

Deeper in the forest, Justin’s group leader 

stops to consult her GPS unit. “We’re about 

200 feet away,” she says. “Keep your eyes 

peeled.” Everyone slows down, scanning the 

trees and ground for signs of their target. Tyler 

calls to Justin, the nearest member of his team, 

“Do we have any idea what size this thing’s 

supposed to be?” “No,” Tyler answers. “There 

wasn’t any information in the file. It could be 

anything. Or anywhere.” 

Justin sighs and takes in a deep breath. 

Secretly, he’d hoped they could find their 

objective quickly and that he would be the one 

to discover it. “Fifty feet,” calls his leader, 

“spread out, everyone.” The team scatters 

looking behind trees, under leaves, and below 

the wooden walkway cutting through the 

underbrush. A silent eternity later, Justin’s 

group leader emerges, silhouetted by trees 

holding an old army ammunition can. “I got 

it!” she cries. Disappointment flashes across 

Justin’s eyes for the briefest instant, but then he 

looks up excitedly saying, “Way to go, Mom!” [CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE]

STORY& PHOTOS BY JEFF CLARK

Summer

2011 13
14

 

 

 

[CONTINUES FROM PREVIOUS PAGE]

Geocaching is an international outdoor 

activity for all ages. Treasure hunters are on the 

chase at over 700,000 locations in more than 100 

countries on all seven continents around the world. 

But geocaching got its start right here in Oregon 

when a GPS enthusiast hid a container and posted 

the coordinates on the Internet. And since then this 

high-tech treasure hunt has seen exponential growth 

in popularity as a fun and family-friendly activity 

that gets everyone from mom and dad to the kids to 

Fido off the couch – and, in our case, on public lands 

managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 

“Geocaching can be a wonderful hobby,” says Anne

Boyd, a BLM archeologist in the Spokane District. 

“The exercise you get and the chance to explore new

areas while searching for treasure is hard to beat.”

She says the reasons for geocaching are as diverse as

the people who enjoy it. “For me, it’s all about getting 

outside and seeing things that I might not have known 

about. For some, it may be a way to get exercise or 

take the dogs for a hike. For others, it’s teaching 

the kids how to use a GPS and to appreciate the great

outdoors.”

Falling squarely into the latter category is Jody 

Weil, BLM Oregon/Washington Communications 

Director, avid geocacher, and mother of Justin and 

Tyler. “Geocaching is something we do as a family,”

Weil said. “One kid can decipher the clue, the other

can be in charge of the GPS unit and be the leader. And 

we can all participate in the actual hunt. Sometimes

we even get a little competitive and keep track of who 

finds the most caches first.”

In addition to healthy competition, Boyd and Weil 

each gave examples of how geocaching is highly 

informational as well. “There is one type of geocaching 

that is educational and significant to BLM lands in 

Eastern Washington – and that is earthcaching,” Boyd 

said. This particular activity leads people to learn more 

about the geology of an area by visiting the site and 

answering some questions. There’s no cache hidden 

at these sites – but the reward of the hunt to witness 

new scenery and learn about earth science is a highly 

valued prize of its own. Boyd continues, “Professional

geologists, college professors, and other instructors 

are increasingly using the earthcache experience to 

introduce others to the nature of our area, and I think 

many folks have been surprised and excited to learn 

about these geologic treasures.”

“Geocaching has taken us to places that have a

story of their own,” Weil said. “We once found a cache

along the Oregon Trail. Our youngest son, Justin, was 

studying the history of the Oregon Trail in his school 

class and was able to make a real life connection by 

going out and seeing the actual tracks still rutted in the 

ground. He was so proud to take the pictures into his 

classroom and show them the real thing. Geocaching 

allowed us to make that connection in a fun and 

tangible way.”

14
Summer 15

2011

 

 

 

www.blm.gov/wp5c

www.geocaching.com

www.treadlightly.org

For More Info:

PRO TIPS 

• Before you head out, select a difficulty level rating based on your outdoor skills. 

• Check weather conditions and carry supplies such as water, food, maps, a compass, and

 extra clothes. 

• Let someone know your destination and expected return. 

• Travel sustainably, tread lightly, and leave no trace. 

• Contact your local BLM office before placing a cache, planning a geocaching event, or conducting

 commercial geocaching activities on public lands. Don’t hide caches in protected wilderness areas

 or cultural and archaeological sites. And please don’t disrupt wildlife or create trails to hidden caches. 
 

16

MAP OUT

YOUR NEW YEAR

ASK THE EXPERTS VOL 2. NATIONAL SCENIC & HISTORIC TRAILS 

OREGON’S BEST TRAILS 

BY CHRIS KNAUF, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

OUR FAVORITE SUMMER HIKES 

THE MAGIC OF THE OREGON TRAIL 

FROM MEXICO TO CANADA: THE PACIFIC CREST 

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT OREGON & WASHINGTON
 

 

 

 

 

Summer 17

2011

America’s Best Kept Secrets Are Yours To Explore

As we mentioned in our previous issue of Northwest Passage, 

the BLM is well-known for protecting a large number of America’s

treasured landscapes under a system known as the National

Landscape Conservation System (NLCS). For more than 10 

years, the BLM has protected and conserved these areas in their 

natural state for future generations. Now, with the partnership of

National Geographic Magazine, the BLM has produced a map 

highlighting these incredible wide-open spaces. To visit some of

these specially designated locales that have been intentionally set 

aside for public use and enjoyment, you can print a free copy of 

the BLM/National Geographic map at blm.gov/or/resources/nlcs. 

We’ll be continuing this series over the next year, interviewing 

BLM experts to hear their insights and recommendations on how 

to best visit and explore these amazing places. So print out your

own NLCS National Geographic map and get ready to see some of

the best that America’s Great Outdoors has to offer. 

Last issue we chatted with BLM expert Jerry Magee about 

Wilderness Areas. This issue we speak with BLM expert (and rock 

and roll drummer) Chris Knauf about National Scenic and Historic

Trails. 

So what are Scenic and Historic Trails? Back in 1968, Congress

established the National Trails System and designated the first of

these trails. Historic Trails are extended journeys following a trail 

or route of national significance. Scenic Trails provide maximum

outdoor recreation potential as well as conservation and enjoyment 

of locations known for their natural and cultural qualities. But these 

are just the dictionary definitions.

Let’s chat with Chris to get the real story... 

The National Landscape Conservation System is a lot of things. It includes a lot of special landscapes, such 

as the National Scenic and Historic Trails. In order for a trail to be under the National Scenic and Historic Trails 

System, it has to be designated by Congress.

National Scenic and Historic Trails draw visitors on multiple levels. In one sense, you can have a historic 

experience such as on the Oregon Trail where you can actually view the wagon ruts that pioneers made when 

they were coming across Oregon. On the other hand, you can get a great scenic experience on the Pacific Crest 

Trail that goes through many wilderness areas, monuments, and natural landscapes. That particular trail starts 

in Mexico and ends in Canada. So you could hike that trail for a couple of hours or conceivably for the entire 

summer season. 

The Pacific Crest Trail is fairly close to Portland. If you drive U.S. Route 26 across Mount Hood, you can 

pick up the trail in a couple different locations in the Mount Hood National Forest. Other areas you might look 

at are the BLM’s Medford District in southern Oregon which has a good portion of the Pacific Crest Trail as 

well as the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument which is also part of the NLCS. My favorite trail is the part 

of the Pacific Crest Trail that goes through the North Cascades National Park. I hike part of that trail just about 

every summer. 

To get out on the trail you need decent shoes. Get good walking or running shoes. Hiking boots will certainly 

work – on a multiple-day trip, that’s what you want to take. You need to be prepared for any kind of weather 

because the trails generally are high elevation. So in the spring you can get snow, and in the summer it can get 

quite cold. And you always need to let someone know where you’re going – and when you’ll be back. 

On these trails, you’re likely to meet a lot of people like yourself. 

Some of them are out for the day. Some of them have heavy packs 

and are out on multi-day trips. You’re also likely to see some amazing 

birds, crystal-clear running streams, some great vistas, some great 

views, and a nice place to sit down and have your lunch. 

To learn more about National Scenic and Historic Trails in Oregon 

and Washington, please visit us online at: blm.gov/g35c 

And meet Chris Knauf in person to hear more great stories about 

trails in his online interview at youtube.com/blmoregon!

PHOTO BY MATT CHRISTENSON 



(*Know your 10 essentials! - Ed.) 

* 
 

 

 

 

 

 

18

 The Burns District has become an active participant 

in the High Desert Partnership’s Education Initiative, 

working to organize field trips and provide outdoor 

exploration visits to public lands for local rural youth. 

The BLM also provides instruction and educational 

support in local classrooms. One of the goals of the High 

Desert Partnership is to bring together landowners, 

conservationists, social advocates, agencies, and other 

interested parties to address challenges facing rural 

and frontier communities. The Partnership’s Education 

Initiative specifically focuses on place-based science 

education for K-12 youth in southeast Oregon. Recently, 

about 100 students from seven counties toured the BLM’s 

Wild Horse Corral Facility in Hines. 

 This spring, the Moon Reservoir Recreation Site 

was upgraded with a new boat ramp, parking area, and 

improvements to the main access road. The site also 

benefits from an all-accessible restroom. Summer’s here so 

come check it out! 

Burns, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/burns 

Coos Bay, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/coosbay 

Eugene, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/eugene 

District Round-Up 

 One hundred and fifty Reedsport and Elkton elementary 

students planted 3,000 trees in April as part the 66th 

Annual Lower Umpqua Tree Plant. The kids planted BLMpurchased trees on Roseburg Resources land with the help 

of BLM, private, and state foresters. At least 35,000 

students have planted more than a million trees in the 

Lower Umpqua area since 1946. The tree plant is the 

longest running event of its kind in the nation and has 

received multiple National Arbor Day Foundation awards. 

 In April, District Manager Mark Johnson and Fish 

Biologist Dan Van Slyke traveled to Washington, DC to 

receive the award for Extraordinary Action in Support of 

Fish Habitat Conservation from the National Fish Habitat 

Action Plan. The Coos Bay District was recognized for its 

cooperative efforts to restore habitat for fish and other 

aquatic and riparian species. Over the last five years, the 

District has placed more than 3,600 logs and 14 boulder 

structures across 52 stream miles. 

 The Siuslaw Resource Area in the Eugene District conducted a 5K fun run fundraiser at the Hult Pond Equestrian Trailhead. Working 

with local organizers from Blachly, Oregon, the BLM held the event along the picturesque lake edge to raise money for testicular 

cancer research. Race organizers planned to provide money to a cancer patient in need of financial support or to a general fund. 

Approximately 100 participants attended raising more than $1,000. This event was the second such race at Hult Pond and looks to 

become an annual BLM effort to raise funds for charitable causes in the local community. 

The BLM’s Wild Horse Corral welcomes visitors five days a week 

Mark and Dan in Washington, DC 
 

 

 

Summer 19

2011

Medford

Lakeview

Burns

Roseburg

Prineville

Salem

Spokane

Vale

Coos

Bay

Eugene

continues on next page! 

Burns

Vale

Coos

Eugene

Lakeview

Prineville

Medford

Roseburg

Salem

Spokane

Lakeview, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/lakeview 

 The employees of the Lakeview Interagency Office held 

a cleanup project to beautify the building’s work and 

warehouse areas. They devoted an entire day to organizing 

common spaces, putting desktops in order, and identifying 

and resolving safety hazards. This effort will prevent 

allergic reactions to dust and mold, decrease the risk of 

illness, and enhance workplace safety. The individuals who 

participated in these activities were rewarded for their time 

and effort. Lakeview’s Employee Activity Team provide all 

participants with a barbecue lunch in recognition of the good 

housekeeping practices they used to improve the health and 

safety of their office. 

 The BLM helped the town of Lakeview celebrate its 2011 

Irish Days Celebration on March 12 by competing with other 

Federal agencies in the local Potato Peeling Competition. 

A total of four teams entered the game and battled for 

first place in front of a rambunctious group of spectators. 

Employees of the Fremont-Winema National Forest peeled 

their way to a victory, but not before being seriously 

challenged by stalwart contenders Carol Benkosky, Esther 

Gruber, Tessa Teems, and Scott Stoffel who valiantly 

refused to concede the game until every single spud in their 

bowls was fully peeled! 

Medford, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/medford 

 The Medford District and the Nature Conservancy worked 

together to offer a series of 16 expert-led public hikes at 

Table Rocks during April and May. Hikes included a BLM 

wildlife biologist luring owls, a Southern Oregon University 

geology professor discussing the ancient lava flow that 

formed the Table Rocks, a professional photographer 

presenting nature photos, and a member of the Siletz Tribe 

addressing the history and culture of ancestral tribes 

who lived in this area. For over twenty years, the Medford 

District and the Nature Conservancy have provided spring 

hikes for the public to learn about the historical, ecological, 

and aesthetic values of the unique Table Rocks landscape. 

Welcome to news from the BLM in Oregon & Washington! 

Your BLM Districts are “All Over the Map!” 

Potato Peelers in Lakeview 

Hiking Across Medford 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roseburg, Oregon

employing members with disabilities from the local community. 

 

 

 

Demystifying EGS

More great news from the BLM in Oregon & Washington! 

Prineville, Oregon Roseburg, Oregon
 blm.gov/or/districts/prineville blm.gov/or/districts/roseburg 

 A river runs through the Prineville District. Technically, 

many rivers do. And people love to run the rivers that run 

through Prineville. To protect these water resources while 

enhancing the river experience for people making their way 

downstream, the Prineville District has implemented a 

system for launch permits on two segments of the John Day 

River. Visitors can find all the information they need online 

at johndayboaterpermit.com. And for updated boater 

pass requirements on the Deschutes River, please visit 

boaterpass.com. 

 The Prineville District hosted the Crook County American 

Red Cross blood drive in April. District staff and friends 

exceeded the Red Cross goal of 25 units of blood and blood 

products for emergency needs. The office was a constant 

of hub of activity as generous members of the community 

provided life-giving donations. 

 The Prineville District partnered with the Biak Training 

Center, the Oregon Youth Challenge Program, Cub Scout 

Pack #31, and the 224th Engineer Company of the 

Oregon National Guard to conduct their first annual Earth 

Day cleanup. Two separate weekends drew 165 people 

to participate in projects such as cattle guard and fence 

repair, kiosk installation, and trash cleanup. A total of 

4,740 pounds of trash and tires were removed from 

America’s Great Outdoors. 

The Beautiful John Day River 

 The Roseburg District Green Team led by Community Planner 

Ariel Hiller with the help of Facilities Manager Hughie Watters 

recently made several upgrades to the district recycle 

program. Roseburg has long recycled paper and refundable 

bottles and cans, but now employees visiting the break 

room can find new options to recycle glass, plastic, metal, 

cardboard, batteries, and CDs. Since collection of batteries 

The Green Team Keeps Roseburg Clean! 

began, the Roseburg District has been keeping about 45 

pounds of batteries out of the local landfill each month. Green 

Team members monitor recycle bins in the break room and 

bring bagged items to a central collection area when they get 

full. Watters personally wrangles several hundred pounds of 

white paper recycled monthly through Sunrise Enterprises 

Inc., a local company that also manages trash collection and 

provides janitorial services for the Roseburg District by 

employing members with disabilities from the local community. 

Vale, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/vale 

 Winter had been holding on with snowstorms continuing late into March, but it appears that warmer weather has finally 

returned to eastern Oregon. A sure sign of spring is seeing Vale District staff busy preparing to head into the field to work 

with local ranchers holding grazing allotments. River rangers are also getting out to keep the public safe and out of harm’s way 

as many Vale rivers have risen dramatically in recent months. Plant, shrubs, and flowers are also sprouting, and the mating 

season of the sage-grouse has begun. Seasonal crews have been hired and are being trained for this summer’s fire fighting 

season. The Vale District also welcomes its new employees and says a fond farewell to those who have moved elsewhere. As 

the local staff continue to plan and manage resources in their community, so goes the cycle of the Vale District. 

20
 

 

 

Spokane, Washington

 

 

 

 

 

 

District Round-Up District Round-Up

Salem, Oregon
 blm.gov/or/districts/salem 

 The Salem District’s Yaquina Head Outstanding 

Natural Area is reestablishing the historical lighthouse 

keeper vegetable garden. The original site – along the 

main road to the lighthouse – has been marked off and 

fenced. Summer youth crews will be tilling the garden 

area and preparing it for planting. Though the cool windswept headland presents some challenge to growing 

vegetables, a few kale plants, descendents from the 

original gardens, have already been found. 

 Fat Tire Farm, a Portland-based mountain bike 

business, and the Salem District cosponsored a special 

recreation permit event along with the Sandy Ridge 

spring break race series. Three weekend races served as 

a fund raiser for the Sandy Ridge Trail System, drawing 

almost 300 participants and raising approximately 

$7,000 toward the continued development of the 

Sandy Ridge Trail System. 

Riding the Sandy Ridge Trail System 

Spokane, Washington
 blm.gov/or/districts/spokane 

Sunset on Patos Island in the San Juans 

 Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited the San 

Juan Islands to meet with local residents and chat about 

new opportunities for improving local public lands as well as 

enhancing partnerships between Interior agencies. Secretary 

Salazar (also on page 8 - Ed.) was overheard remarking 

about the unique special qualities and beauty of the San 

Juans stating that he’s already planning a return trip in the 

fall. In addition, both Secretary Salazar and local residents 

recognized BLM Recreation Planner Nick Teague for his 

unparalleled dedication and commitment to the community. 

 The Spokane District eagerly welcomed Daniel Picard as the 

new district manager with his official swearing-in ceremony. In 

the interim between managers, Spokane was fortunate to have 

Pat Ryan (Malheur Field Manager) as acting district manager. 

Pat’s contribution to the district was greatly appreciated. 

 The Spokane Office is looking a little more polished these 

days thanks to a recent office remodel effort. “Recycled” 

cubicle system furniture was procured from the National 

Interagency Fire Center in Boise. Stop by and see for yourself 

on your next trip to Spokane! 

Summer 21

2011

Plus daily updates at 

Facebook and Twitter! 
restorin

the land

restorin

human s

22
23

spirit

by KURT HECKEROTH

with ARIEL HILLER

photograph by jeff clark 

ng 

d, 

ng the 

A 

partnership 

between 

the 

BLM and 

the 

Oregon 

Youth 

Authority 

benefits 

more 

than 

streams 

and 

forests; 

it also 

helps 

youths 

at risk. 

Summer
 2011
 
24

photograph by maria thi mai by KURT HECKEROTH with ARIEL HILLER 
Summer 25

2011

these stripes are green 

from green to gold 

and home again 

The benefits of this relationship are many. The BLM and 

their partners receive a consistent work force. And in turn, Camp 

Tillamook work crews are given the opportunity to learn about 

plants and nursery operations and environmental conservation. 

Youths are educated on the science of seeds. And thanks to this 

on-the-job experience, a number of young participants have secured 

employment at local private nurseries upon their release from the 

OYA. 

Not surprisingly, this partnership is getting a lot of attention. 

“Because of their dedicated efforts and long-term contributions 

to BLM projects, the partnership has received three national 

awards,” says BLM Botanist Kurt Heckeroth who oversees the 

BLM’s seedling production for northwest Oregon. “The nursery 

at Camp Tillamook is a huge undertaking. If it wasn’t for the OYA 

Youth Study Program, we would never have started a nursery here 

in Tillamook.” Kurt also mentions that, in addition to restoration 

projects, tending the nursery, and planting trees, the OYA work 

crews also cut firewood for the elderly, help the state park clear 

debris from storms, and support local cleanups following floods.

Several awards and accolades later, we’re back at today’s job site. 

The crew is breaking for lunch. The elk have long wandered off, and 

even the constant Oregon rain is taking a rest. Workers eat and chat 

about their struggles. They joke about how the mud is thick, the hikes 

are long, and their hands and backs feel the good strain of a morning’s 

planting. 

Crew leader Brad Keith understands. He works right along with 

them. He adds, “They’re learning job skills, they’re giving back to 

the community, they’re helping wildlife, and they’re working together 

as a team.” These youth workers are leaving behind their old ways of

interacting with the world, ways that weren’t working for them or their 

communities. As they continue to labor and learn at the OYA’s Camp 

Tillamook, the youths continue to move forward towards a new model 

of behavior and success – a model that happily welcomes them back to 

society. The BLM is proud to be a member of this partnership shaping 

the next generation of land stewards. 

In some ways, it’s not easy to say which benefits more: the restoration 

of nature or the restoration of the human spirit. Perhaps they are one 

and the same. 

t’s a silent, misty morning. Majestic elk weave slowly 

through the forest. Watching them from nearby, a group of young 

workers headed to their job site waits quietly for the wild animals 

to pass, enjoying the stillness before their hard work begins. Today 

these youths will be restoring a streambed, planting native trees and 

shrubs that they cultivated for this purpose. 

Soon the elk have passed, and the crew finishes their hike to 

where they’ll be working today. Into a large pile, they drop off 

heavy planting tools, food and water, and necessary supplies. Days 

for the Camp Tillamook work crew are long and hard and physical. 

A layer of mud and sweat and rain will coat everyone before their 

work is done. 

Before we follow our workers further into their project, let’s 

learn a little more about them. These young folks who are giving 

back to the land and helping complete environmental restoration 

were all considered at-risk youths before they came to the Oregon 

Youth Authority’s (OYA) Camp Tillamook work crew. The OYA’s 

mission is to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth 

offenders accountable for their behavior. The OYA provides the 

treatment, education, and job training to provide youths with the 

opportunity to learn personal responsibility and develop the skills 

and behaviors they need to make positive choices for themselves. 

Ultimately, the OYA seeks to help youth offenders lead crime-free 

lives and become productive members of their communities. 

In the late 1990s, the OYA developed a number of informal 

partnerships which led to these restoration projects. Recognizing 

the potential of these young people, the BLM, local watershed 

councils, and soil and water districts enthusiastically joined forces 

with the OYA to develop crews that would restore more than 400 

miles of degraded streambeds and nearby forest areas. For years all 

these agencies worked together informally. It wasn’t until 2003 that 

their partnership was officially sanctioned by written agreement, 

and they received funding for the first time.

Over this period of time, Camp Tillamook has become the hub 

for stream and forest restoration on the northern coast of Oregon. 

Here the OYA supports the production of local plants for crucial 

restoration projects. This campus houses a small nursery that 

annually produces 15,000 indigenous trees and shrubs, the majority 

of which are planted by these local partnerships to continually 

improve Oregon’s environment. 
 

 

 

WiFi Wildlife
 

STORY BY SCOTT STOFFEL 

PHOTOS BY MERRIE RICHARDSON & JOHN CRAIG 

THE BLM EMPLOYS WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY TO BALANCE
 

T he testing of potential locations for new wind energy 

projects has increased dramatically over the last four years on 

public lands managed by the BLM’s Lakeview District. And 

this trend will likely continue into the foreseeable future as part 

of the President’s emphasis on renewable energy production. 

(See page 10 for the Secretary of the Interior’s comments on 

this very topic. – Ed.) Thus it’s essential that scientists better 

understand how wind energy development may affect sensitive 

species to prepare the BLM to continue its mission conserving 

native plant and animal communities while supporting 

renewable energy initiatives. 

Specifically, the greater sage-grouse is a candidate for 

protection under the Endangered Species Act. And eastern 

WITH THE CONSERVATION OF OREGON’S WILD
 Oregon is home to some of the best habitat for this bird, with 

roughly 30 percent of this territory managed by the Lakeview 

District. It also happens that many of these sites inhabited 

by the sage-grouse have a strong potential for wind energy 

production. For the BLM, a balance must be achieved. 

In 2009, wildlife biologists from the Lakeview Resource 

Area developed a project to establish baseline data for sagegrouse habitat. These reference records are to serve as a 

starting-point for comparison purposes with future proposals 

for wind energy development within the bird’s home range. 

As part of their study, BLM scientists employed wireless 

technology to mark and track the greater sage-grouse across 

over 300,000 

shrub-steppe 

26

acres of 

grassland 
 

RENEWABLE WIND ENERGY 

ANIMALS IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT 

on which four wind energy projects have been granted right-of-way 

access. A total of 120 sage-grouse were fitted with radio collars and 

monitored from September 2009 to September 2010. 

BLM biologists collected data related to the bird’s population numbers, productivity, 

mortality, seasonal habitat use, movement patterns, and group behavior. Additionally, 

data related to how juniper plant growth may impact the nesting of sage-grouse was also part 

of this research. This juniper-related information may ultimately be used by the Natural Resource 

Conservation Service for an additional research project evaluating the sage-grouse response to the removal 

of encroaching juniper. 

Initial reports from the BLM study have been very helpful in creating a picture of the sage-grouse’s habitat 

before any wind energy projects are constructed – so much so that the scientists will extend their research a second 

year. Soon, the data generated from this project will help the BLM develop wind energy projects that provide not just the 

Summer 27

2011

necessary energy our nation requires, but also to conserve the native sage-grouse who call the land their home. This majestic 

bird shall continue to dance across the high-desert landscape as it has for centuries.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUT WHAT’S IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT 

“YOU DON’T THINK OF ANYTHING 

OF YOU. YOU HAVE A VARIETY OF 

TRAILS. YOU’RE CONCENTRATING 

ON THE CHALLENGE OF GETTING 

YOUR BIKE THROUGH THE COURSE. 

IT’S A GREAT DIVERSION FROM 

THE STRESSES OF LIFE,” SAYS 

JARED ACHEPOHL, EMERALD TRAIL 

RIDERS ASSOCIATION. 

28
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BY DESIGN, THE BLM’S 

SHOTGUN OHV TRAIL 

SYSTEM BRIDGES THE 

BREATHTAKING THRILLS 

OF OFF-ROAD RIDING 

WITH THE CAREFUL 

STORY BY MICHAEL MASCARI STORY BY MICHAEL MASCARI

PHOTOGRAPH BY MIKE MILLAY

CONSERVATION OF

OREGON’S NATURAL

FORESTS. 

Summer
 2011
 29
 

 

 

 

or almost 20 years, the BLM’s Shotgun Off-Highway 

Vehicle (OHV) Trail System near Eugene, Oregon, has 

been a favorite destination for dirt bikers and four-wheelers 

who love bouncing over rocky beds and muddy craters 

beneath a picaresque forested canopy. Covering over 35 

miles, Shotgun’s trails provide a diverse set of opportunities 

and challenges for riders of all abilities. Riders like Jared 

Achepohl say it’s this very diversity of trails that is the key 

to its extraordinary riding experience. 

F 

“A small system really gets beat up and used. A good 

system has a lot of mileage which is hard to do in this 

area. A trail that incorporates different terrain features and 

provides challenging stuff makes for a great trail. Riders 

enjoy Shotgun because it has several different types of 

terrain.”

TRAILHEAD 

Historically, the lands around the Shotgun OHV Trail 

System were plotted in a checkerboard pattern under a

Congressional land grant during the 1860s. And while such 

a checkerboard layout of public and private lands may not 

have posed a problem in the 19th century, modern OHV

riders haven’t always known where BLM lands end and 

private lands begin. Unintentional trespasses have been a 

regular occurrence. 

To reduce this confusion while still protecting the land 

and providing a quality trail experience, the BLM developed 

the Shotgun OHV Trail System in 1993. The objective was 

to develop a progressive trail system that stayed within the 

confines of BLM lands while making use of an incredibly 

well-designed path allowing riders to cover a wide area of 

rideable land. 

HITTING A BUMP 

The BLM has so far maintained the Shotgun System by 

regularly incorporating new plans and refurbishing existing 

trails. But as its popularity increased, greater usage has 

caused some areas to become rutted and impassable. So to 

avoid getting bogged down, riders have left the 

Recognizing the need 

for a new generation 

of trail support, BLM 

Outdoor Recreation 

Planner Liz Aleman and 

Recreation Technicians 

Mike Fieber and Mike 

Millay took an inventory 

of all the necessary 

improvements needed at 

the Shotgun System. Avid 

riders themselves, the two Mikes had spent a great deal of 

time at other trails and wanted to improve the BLM’s own 

offering. 

main course to blaze their own trails, eroding soil 

and damaging the natural landscape. 

BLAZING A 

NEW TRAIL 

“We rode the trail and, after seeing many deteriorated 

spots, we wanted to make a more permanent, sustainable 

system,” said Fieber. “People don’t want to ride in ruts and 

get stuck. They want good surfaces.”

With Aleman securing the necessary funding, the two 

Mikes enacted a plan that differed from past iterations by 

incorporating state-of-the-art materials like geotextiles as 

well as cinder block, gravel, and large rock to both protect 

the integrity of the soils and ensure long-term preservation 

of the trails. The Mikes also obtained seeds and trees from 

the Eugene District to fill in old routes and rerouted trails 

to avoid streams. 

The new trails often seem more like a cobblestone road 

than a dirt path. Not only are they designed to last longer 

and protect the forest, they’re also great for riding. 

Regarding environmental concerns, Achepohl of the 

Emerald Trail Riders Association (ETRA) describes most

30
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer 31

2011

riders as very interested in conservation. Protecting the integrity 

of trails is crucial to those who use them. He adds, “When you 

don’t have enough trails people create their own, which harms the 

environment. And they can be risky or dangerous. We try to be 

good stewards of the trails so future generations can enjoy.”

The Shotgun OHV Trail System wouldn’t have been possible

without the support of partners. Workers from the Northwest 

Youth Corps, the Oregon Department of Youth Corrections, and 

the BLM worked tirelessly to construct a trail system rugged 

enough to survive regular usage with a strong appeal to ensure 

riders use this designated system and not pirate trails. And the 

ETRA regularly organizes work parties to construct bridges, 

clear trail debris and brush, and build connectors. The Shotgun 

System is very much a part of its community.

“It’s great,” Achepohl said. “The two Mikes have been real 

proactive in getting more quality miles in the system. Due to 

the checkerboard factor and the private land around it, it’s been 

a long hard road to build a quality trail system there. They’ve 

nailed it.”

riders as very interested in conservation. Protecting the integrity 

of trails is crucial to those who use them. He adds, “When you 

don’t have enough trails people create their own, which harms the 

environment. And they can be risky or dangerous. We try to be 

good stewards of the trails so future generations can enjoy.”

The Shotgun OHV Trail System wouldn’t have been possible 

without the support of partners. Workers from the Northwest 

Youth Corps, the Oregon Department of Youth Corrections, and 

the BLM worked tirelessly to construct a trail system rugged 

enough to survive regular usage with a strong appeal to ensure 

riders use this designated system and not pirate trails. And the 

ETRA regularly organizes work parties to construct bridges, 

clear trail debris and brush, and build connectors. The Shotgun 

“It’s great,” Achepohl said. “The two Mikes have been real 

proactive in getting more quality miles in the system. Due to 

the checkerboard factor and the private land around it, it’s been 

a long hard road to build a quality trail system there. They’ve 

IN THE STATE OF OREGON, 

RIDERS MUST OBTAIN A 

PERMIT TO OPERATE OHVS 

AND DRIVE ON OHV TRAILS. 

THE COST IS $10 FOR 

A TWO-YEAR PASS. THE 

MONEY FROM THESE PASSES 

HELPS PAY FOR TRAIL AND 

FACILITY MAINTENANCE AND 

WAGES FOR WORK CREWS. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, 

PLEASE VISIT ONLINE: 

HTTP://WWW.OREGON.GOV/ 

OPRD/ATV/PERMITS.SHTML 

RULES OF THE ROAD 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE FIEBER, MICHAEL MASCARIPHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE FIEBER, MICHAEL MASCARI & MIKE MILLAY & MIKE MILLAY &

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While I Kiss

the Sky 

While I Kiss 

Backcountry

ou know the BLM 

manages the public 

land, but what about 

the public air? Here 

at Woodrat Mountain 

near Medford, Oregon, 

high-flying adventureseekers step off a cliff 

1,000 feet above the 

ground with nothing 

but a glider strapped to 

their back. 

Want to try this for 

yourself? Yeah! But 

there’s probably some 

training you should 

take first. And then 

you need equipment. 

Hmm... Hey, why not 

watch our video first?

We placed a 

helmet camera on 

an experienced hang 

glider to share the firstperson experience with 

everyone. You’ll see 

the same thing our pilot 

sees as you (virtually) 

join him on a ride 

through the ether. 

And speaking of 

videos, they’re not 

limited to hang gliding. 

The BLM in Oregon 

has more videos at 

our YouTubeTM page 

than any other state in 

the agency. And we 

add a brand new one 

every Monday – with 

many of our shorts 

accompanying stories 

right here in Northwest 

Passage. 

So... Are you ready 

to step off the ledge 

and see what gliding 

from 1000 feet off the 

ground looks like? It’s 

at blm.gov/p25c. 

See you up there!

‘Scuse Me 

Y 

photograph by john craig