Clear All Obstacles... 

SPOKANE AT THE CROSSROADS 

A DISTRICT 25 YEARS IN THE MAKING 

PLUS 

Is the BLM’s 

Johnny Horizon

ready to return? 

Is the BLM’s 

ready to return?

The BLM’s National 

Ultramarathon Champ

Shows Us How To Shows Us How To

The BLM’s National 

Ultramarathon Champ

Shows Us How To
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome friends of the BLM! Can 

you believe how fast this summer is 

going? We sure can. 

Once summer rolls 

BLM is thrilled to see our friends and 

neighbors and honored visitors heading 

outside to enjoy the breathtaking public 

lands of Oregon and Washington. And 

given all our magnificent opportunities 

for recreation and family outings, you’ll 

probably see us out there as well. Even 

Federal employees love to get out on the 

public lands when they can! 

Speaking of enjoying the outdoors, 

our theme for our summer issue of 

North est Passage is “Take It Outside!” 

around, the 

champion ultramarathoner. What’s 

an ultramarathoner, you say? Good 

question. It’s anyone who runs a race 

longer than a marathon which is 26.2 

miles. And Robert, the manager of 

the BLM’s Spokane District, has been 

known to run – and win – races over 

hills and through forests for 30 miles, 

50 miles, or more! I think you’ll be as 

impressed by his accomplishments as I 

am. 

reading? Just check out our feature on 

author and BLM retiree Clair Button. 

Clair has written three mystery novels 

about a fictional BLM employee who 

serves the public lands while solving 

crimes. These are must-read novels for 

anyone who loves reading a great yarn 

set on our public lands. 

And finally, we return to a topic that’s 

dear to the heart of the BLM

Op - “Ed” 

backyards. 

This declaration is both a great idea and 

w

the official title of our national effort 

to inspire American youths to actively 

connect with the public lands in their 

In our “Take It Outside” 

article, we provide helpful information 

and hints on how you yourself can get 

2

involved inspiring young people to 

enjoy the great outdoors in your own 

communities. 

When it comes to heading outside, 

there’s one BLM employee who 

simply can’t get enough. His name 

is Robert Towne, and he’s a national 

to the mountains in the center to the San 

Juan Islands at the coast. Once you see 

the photos and read this article, you’ll 

definitely feel inspired to make the 

Spokane District your next destination. 

But what do you do when you’re ready 

to take a break and enjoy some summer 

Keeping on the topic of Spokane, 

Northwest Passage often focuses a 

great deal of coverage on the BLM in 

Oregon where nine of our ten districts 

are located. I’m starting to think that 

coverage balance must have inspired 

our BLM district in Washington State to 

get busy writing their own feature about 

their unique history and exciting future. 

It’s a fascinating piece about how the 

BLM in Washington can be found 

everywhere from the plains in the east 

Johnny 

Horizon. In 197 oh orizon was 

endorsed b rd as the leader 

of A and is Your Land” 

ign. In this issue you’ll see 

vintage Johnny Horizon memorabilia 

and learn more about one of the historic 

mileposts in the BLM’s history. 

But heck, I think it’s time I headed 

back outdoors myself. So thanks for 

reading Northwest Passage and we hope 

you “Take It Outside” this summer! 

Edward W. Shepard 

State Director 

Oregon/Washington 

Bureau of Land Management 

: 

6, J nny H

y President Fo

merica’s “This L

Campa
 

 

 

 

Summer 3

2009

Summer 

2009 

Summer 

2009

FEATURES

 WHAT’S IN YOUR BACKYARD? 6

 CONNECTING YOUTHS WITH PUBLIC LANDS 

BY CANDY HARMON

 MR. GAMMON GOES TO WASHINGTON 8 

AN “INVENTIVE” BLM EMPLOYEE PAINTS HIMSELF INTO A CORNER 

BY MEGAN HARPER

 THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNER 10

 AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BLM’S NATIONAL ULTRAMARATHON CHAMPION 

BY MATT CHRISTENSON

 SPOKANE AT THE CROSSROADS 18 

A DISTRICT 25 YEARS IN THE MAKING 

BY SCOTT PAVEY

 WHERE IN THE WORLD IS JOHNNY HORIZON? 26 

A NEW VISIT WITH AN OLD FRIEND 

BY MICHAEL CAMPBELL

 A NEW CHAPTER 30 

A RETIRED BLM BIOLOGIST REWRITES HIS FUTURE 

(AND HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT IF IT WASN’T FOR THOSE MEDDLING KIDS!) 

BY SUSAN NELSON 

DEPARTMENTS

 OP - “ED” 2

 THIS MONTH’S COVER 4 

OUR CONTRIBUTORS 5

 DISTRICT ROUND-UP 14

 BACKCOUNTRY 32 

Contents 
 

This Month’s Cover
 

Take it Outside! 

Vo l u m e 1 , Issue 5 

WWW.BLM.GOV/OR 

Ed Shepard / publisher 

Jody Weil / editorial director 

Matt Christenson / editor / art director 

Teddi Duling / copy editor 

Shelly York / production designer 

contributors 

Michael Campbell, Matt Christenson, 

Maya Fuller, Bob Hall, Candy Harmon, 

Megan Harper, Trish Hogervorst, Doug 

Huntington, Tara Martinak, Susan 

Nelson, Scott Pavey, Pam Robbins, 

Cheyne Rossbach, Scott Stoffel, Maria 

Thi Mai, Mark Wilkening 

photographers 

Matt Christenson, Maya Fuller, Bob 

Hall, Megan Harper, Trish Hogervorst, 

Doug Huntington, Tara Martinak, 

Susan Nelson, Scott Pavey, Cheyne 

Rossbach, Scott Stoffel, Scobel Wiggins, 

Mark Wilkening 

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. 

Professional photographer Scobel Wiggins generously provided this photo 

for the cover of our Summer Issue of Northwest Passage. Scobel skillfully 

captured BLM Spokane District Manager Robert Towne mid-jump at the 

McDonald Forest 50k Trail Run. 

Wait. 50K? Isn’t that over 30 miles? 

Yes. 

Running! For 30 miles! Through the trees and up, down, and over hills! (and logs) 

Most of us won’t even drive 30 miles if we can’t have our cup holders. 

When we asked Robert if he’d ever seen UFOs or anything strange after running 

that far, he said, “Hallucinations usually happen at night, alone, and many miles 

into the forest - what a combination when you’re freaking out.” 

Indeed. 

To read more about what inspires someone to run as many as 100 miles at a 

time, check out our interview with ultramarathoner Robert Towne on page 10. He 

defi nitely exemplifies the motto, “Take it Outside.” 

To view other shots from the McDonald Forest 50K, you can see them at photographer 

Scobel Wiggins’ site: scobelwigginsphotography.com. 

PHOTO BY SCOBEL WIGGINS 

4
Our Contributors
 

 Writer Candy Harmon marks her inaugural article  Campbell, Campbell, Campbell... How does Northwest 

in Northwest Passage with a piece inspired by this issue’s Passage get so lucky that we can almost always rely on Michael 

central theme: Take It Outside! An author of fiction, Candy Campbell to provide one of his awesomely quirky and fascinating 

used her prodigious prose skills to cover the BLM’s efforts in Oregon articles? We’ll tell you how. Metal! Your humble editors do everyand Washington to support the national initiative, Take It Outside: thing within their power to keep Michael rockin’ with his beloved 

Connect with Your Public Lands (Page 6). As soon as she was done heavy metal so he can focus on his writing. Writing that, in this case, 

with this article, Candy’s first question was, “What can I write about covered one of his favorite cultural icons: Johnny Horizon (Page 26). 

next?” As evidenced by her in-depth coverage of how the BLM connects Will this article help bring back Johnny? Maybe. But for now we’re 

American youth to our public lands, the answer is clearly “Anything!” wondering if Johnny is more of a Zeppelin fan or an Ozzy aficionado. 

 Officially, this is Northwest Passage’s “Summer Issue.”  This must be the old timer’s side of the page because, 

But unofficially? It’s the “Spokane Issue!” Hailing from the BLM’s lone like Michael Campbell, Megan Harper is one of our most 

district in Washington State is Scott Pavey, another first-time contributor. frequent (and favorite) contributors! And in this issue, 

In addition to serving the good people of Washington on planning and Megan puts the spotlight on Paul Gammon, a BLM inventor who won 

environmental issues, Scott profiles the Spokane District’s rise...to power! a national Department of the Interior Award for devising a completely 

This feature (Page 18) is clearly an open challenge to all the other districts new way to capture and reuse paint (Page 8). You heard that right - 

to try to do the same. That’s right – we’re lookin’ at you, Medford! paint! If it’s good enough for Picasso, it’s good enough for us! 

 Aerial photography expert and cartographer Susan Nelson came down to earth to shoot photos of author (and BLM Retiree) 

Clair Button. And while she was snapping shots trekking deep into the bowels of Joseph Canyon, Susan chatted with Clair to learn more about the region in 

which he lives and writes his mystery novels (Page 30). Hey, we’ve got a mystery for Clair to solve: Why does summer always seem to be over so fast? 

 



Candy Harmon Michael Campbell Scott Pavey 

Megan Harper 



Susan Nelson 

 

Summer 

2009 5
 

 

 

 

Public Lands Live! What’s InYour 

THRILLING ADVENTURES ACROSS EXTRAORDINARY LANDS! 

OVER 5,000 SPECIES OF WATCHABLE WILDLIFE LIVING TOGETHER 

The BLM’s Take It Outside 

initiative reconnects 

American youth with the 

nation’s largest “playstation:” 

Our Public Lands. 

IN HARMONY! 

6

ROARING RIVERS DESCEND STEEP MOUNTAINS ONTO OPEN DESERTS 

FILLED WITH TREASURES! 

Are these scenes from a summer blockbuster? Images flickering on a darkened 

movie screen? 

Nay. 

These boundless wonders patiently await you to discover them...

 ...in your very own backyard. 

6
 

 

Summer

2009

CONTINUES ON PAGE

 

 

Oregon is 

for Lovers 

(of Public Lands!) 

Backyard?
 BY CANDY HARMON 

“MY BACKYARD,” YOU SAY? THAT’S RIGHT. And 

if you’re wondering how to get there, the Bureau of Land 

Management just happens to provide an experienced Virgil 

to help you cross a River Styx of game stations, computers, 

movies, and high-speed internet. 

Your tour guide in search of natural wonderment is Leah 

Schrodt, an environmental education specialist in the BLM’s 

Medford District. Year-round, Leah coordinates a number of 

programs – many of which are specifically aimed to entice 

our youth to “get outside” and enjoy all that nature has to 

offer. 

One of Leah’s highest profile projects is her role as the 

lead representative for Oregon and Washington on the 

BLM’s national initiative, Take It Outside: Connect with 

Your Public Lands. This initiative is an umbrella program 

providing overarching assistance to groups, organizations, 

and individuals who share a united interest to inspire 

America’s young people to go outdoors and experience our 

breathtaking environment. 

Take It Outside competes directly with the synthetic 

adventures of televisions and gaming systems by creating 

attractive and fun physical quests on public lands and natural 

areas. Kind of like a completely peaceful World of Warcraft 

– but set in the actual outdoors! 

“Mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health is 

improved by going outside. Kids can find their own creativity 

and independence. Gives them a breath of fresh air!” says 

Leah. 

As the Oregon and Washington ambassador for this 

initiative, Leah is responsible for sharing exciting events 

with all ten BLM districts located throughout the Pacific 

Northwest. And because she’s a member of the BLM’s 

national team, Leah also serves as her region’s voice to ensure 

Oregon and Washington receive the necessary resources to 

successfully reach out to local youth. 

In fact, Take It Outside provides annual funding to both 

established and new outdoor recreation projects. These 

grants help promote, provide transportation, and procure the 

necessary supplies to attract young people to our public lands. 

In 2009, 18 applicants in Oregon and Washington received 

up to $5,000 – the second highest number of approved BLM 

projects in the nation. 



OKAY, SOUNDS GOOD. It’s summer, the weather’s 

warm, and we’re ready – let’s “take it outside!” 

But how can we get started? 

Leah explains about a number of events held in 

conjunction with Take It Outside. In Salem, the BLM 

partnered with Oregon State University and 4-H to hold 

five-day Latino Olympic Summer Camps for youth in grades 

6 – 12. These camps promoted education in math and 

science as an avenue to college and future careers in forestry 

and environmental sciences. And coming up this September 

near Coos Bay, the Tsalila Education Days bring together 

over 2,500 students and their teachers for a three-day event to 

educate them on topics ranging from tribal culture, logging, 

and pioneer living to wildlife, watersheds, and energy. 

These are but a few of the types of programs and events. 

Everyone is invited to contact Leah to learn more about 

what’s happening in our own necks o’ the woods! 

CONTINUES ON PAGE 25 25

Summer 

2009 77
 

“It was so simple,” says Gammon. “It actually took “It was so simple,” says Gammon. “It actually took 

me awhile to explain the system to people because 

they didn’t believe that it could be so straightforward.” 

BY MEGAN HARPER BY MEGAN HARPER

How one BLM employee’s obsession with improving our ecology 

inspired a midnight dream and a new invention – as well as a 

Department of the Interior Environmental Achievement Award 

Paul Gammon’s Fantabulous Contraption 

Mr. Gammon Washington Goes To 

W

Just ask BLM Coos Bay District 

Haz-Mat Specialist and mastermind 

inventor, Paul Gammon. 

In honor of Paul’s invention, an 

environmentally friendly paint can 

recovery system, Paul had the rare 

opportunity to travel to Washington, 

hat’s it like to stand shoulder to 

shoulder between the Director of the 

Bureau of Land Management and 

an official from the Department of 

the Interior while a crowd applauds? 

D.C. to accept the Department of 

the Interior (DOI) Environmental 

Achievement Award from previous 

BLM Director Jim Caswell and DOI 

Assistant Secretary Lynn Scarlett. 

“It was an honor to be chosen for 

the award. When I found out I won, 

all I could think was holy cow.” 

But wait, “paint can recovery?” 

Is that something someone 

spends time thinking about? 

Absolutely! Paul’s creation was 

a labor of love for many months. 

Each year Coos Bay and other 

BLM Districts conduct tree 

marking – the process of selectively 

applying paint to specific trees prior 

to thinning or harvest. While this 

process helps the BLM maintain 

a healthy forest, it also generates 

thousands of used spray cans which 

contain small amounts of paint. 

These cans and the paint they 

contain are designated hazardous 

materials and must be treated as 

such. In the past, the BLM collected 

this paint in 55-gallon drums. And 

that’s when Paul decided it was high 

time for a new process to safely 

collect and reuse this material. 

So one night around midnight 

as Paul lay awake, he was struck 

by inspiration. Jumping up, he 

snatched nearby pen and paper 

and set to scratching out his 

rough design for a new system. 

“It was so simple,” said Paul. 

“It actually took me awhile to 

explain the system to people 

because they didn’t believe that 

it could be so straightforward.” 

Receiving the green light from 

Coos Bay District Manager Mark 

Johnson, Paul traveled to a local 

metal shop which constructed the 

fantabulous contraption which 

would soon make him famous. 



Paul’s system is about the 

size of a refrigerator box and 

sits in the Coos Bay Warehouse. 

Each month a contractor operates 

Paul’s invention to puncture used 

8
Pioneers 

cans and collect the remaining hazardous treatment costs, next morning I could hardly stand.” 

paint. This system collects almost protecting fellow employees, and “I enjoyed the people too. They 

1.5 gallons of paint every 90 using virtually 100 percent of this were all really nice, and it turns 

days. And while that amount of paint, Paul received his award and a out Lynn Scarlett has a tie to Coos 

paint may not sound significant, trip to Washington, D.C., a city Paul Bay. It was fun to swap stories.” 

the process itself saves the BLM had never visited. He took advantage 

substantial hazardous material of the opportunity to see the Recognition of Paul and his 

disposal fees. And, perhaps more famous sites in our Nation’s capitol. recovery system may not be 

importantly, Paul’s mechanism “My favorites were seeing the over. He’s been nominated for the 

protects employees from exposure Arlington National Cemetery and White House Closing the Circle 

to hazardous chemicals. Award which recognizes 

So what happens to the Paul’s Invention safely recovers paint outstanding achievements 

collected trace amounts that is used to freshen up District of Federal employees and 

of paint? Well, it all turns utility trailers – so nothing is wasted! their facilities for efforts 

black, the definition of resulting in significant 

the presence of all colors once the the WWII Memorial. Turns out contributions to waste prevention 

pink, green, and blue get mixed though, D.C. blocks are a lot longer and recycling. And until then 

together. And then this recovered than Coos Bay blocks. I thought Paul can revel in his DOI award 

paint is used to freshen up District eight blocks on the map wouldn’t be recognizing his accomplishments 

utility trailers. Nothing is wasted! so bad, but man, I think we walked in the recycling world: a statue 

So in honor of reducing about eight miles the first day. The made of recycled window glass. 

Summer 

2009 9
1010
iness

obviously personal and about the challenge.” 

The The 

Loneliness of the Lonel
 

Long Distance 

Runner 

Long Distance

INTERVIEW BY MATT CHRISTENSON 

“I’m not sure I’ve ever considered
 

myself athletic. Just determined.
 

I’ve always enjoyed endurance activities like 

backpacking and biking. Individual activities such 

as running have a social element but the emphasis is 

— Robert Towne, 

Bureau of Land Management

 Spokane District Manager 

(& Ultramarathoner) 

Summer 

2009 11
 

Northwest Passage (NWP): 

complete your first marathon? Where was it? 

Robert Towne (RT): 

1990. I was 38 years old and I ran the Portland 

Marathon with Russ 

Buswell. We both 

worked at the (BLM) 

Salem District. 

NWP: What 

ultramarathoner? 

were doing them? Or do you think you might have a 

bit of a wild/crazy streak? 

from

The Loneliness

Long Long 

of the 

ltras are any run longer than the marathon 

(a marathon is 26.2 miles). The typical distances 

are 50k, 50 miles, 100k, and 100 miles. Most ultras 

are run on trails and forest roads,” says Robert 

Towne, BLM Spokane District Manager and 

ultramarathoner. 

So in honor of his cover on our first-ever “Take 

It Outside” issue, Robert spoke with Northwest 

Passage to share his experiences about training, 

the outdoors, and how winning is sometimes just 

finishing the race. 

and drinking with a little scenery thrown in. For me, 

a marathon is a long race where you attempt a fast 

finish. An ultra is an adventure that you hope you can 

finish. Due to the duration of the event you need to 

learn to eat without getting sick, drink appropriately, 

maintain your electrolyte balance, deal with weather 

extremes and elevation, learn to run alone at night in 

unfamiliar territory, and try not to trip on every root 

and boulder. Plus the community of ultra runners is 

very welcoming. Wha

“ U 

you to become an 

RT: I’ve enjoyed running for almost 20 years and 

ultras provide a challen hat is very different 

of extra m

to 

An ultra is an 

RT: I ran my first ultra in July of 2006 in Spokane. 

I was a few days shy of my 54th birthday. The race 

was called Let’s Climb a Mountain and is 34 miles 

long. The race boasts only one hill - the entire race. 

You run from downtown Spokane to the top of Mt. 

Spokane. (2000’ to 5600’) 

NWP: After that first one, 

did you think you’d ever do 

another one? 

Two weeks after completing “Climb a Mt.” I 

ran the Mt. Hood 50 miler. I got lost 

during the race and added a couple 

the marathon. It’s been said that
 

ultras are all about eating 

d 

inspired 

At what age did you 

ge t

Did you know other people who RT: 

For me a marathon is a long race where 


you attempt a fast finish. 


adventure that you hope you can finish.
 

I ran my first marathon in 

NWP: 

t’s not inspiring about that!? 

At what age did you complete your first 

ultramarathon? What, how long, and where was it? 

iles. 

an

So there I was at 

Timberline Lodge having run 27 

miles with 25 more 

go 

o n d e r i n g 

12

w 

12
 

Summer 13

2009

Summer 

2009 

 Distance Runner  Distance Runner

To read more of Northwest Passage’s interview with Robert Towne (and learn 

Robert’s favorite racing foods...), check us out online at: blm.gov/or/nwpassage 

Robert’s big smile suggests more “Serenity” 

than “Loneliness” once he gets out on the trail 

what I’d gotten myself into. Nine hours after 

starting, I finished. 

NWP: What does your body feel like after you 

finish an ultra? What about your brain/mind? 

RT: My mind usually feels great – that endorphin 

high times 10. The body? It depends on how 

hard I ran but usually not so great. 

NWP: What inspires you to continue these 

ultramarathons? 

RT: I’m inspired by the continual lessons in 

living such as dealing with disappointment, 

perseverance, developing relationships, trust, 

hope, and discipline. Plus you get to run in really 

special places. I’ve completed long distance runs 

in fifteen states and three countries. 

NWP: If you could be a professional at any other 

sport, which would it be? 

RT: A drummer in a rock-n-roll band. I know 

that is not a recognized sport but it should be. 

NWP: Do you think there will ever come a day 

when you might stop competing in ultras? 

RT: In the last year, I was the overall winner 

at four ultras. I am the USA Track & Field age 

group National 50 Mile Trail Champion. In 

2008, I had the 63rd fastest 100 mile time and 

the 53rd fastest 100k time in the United States. 

I hope to keep running and keep the wheels on. 

I’ll be 60 in 3 years and hope to set some course 

records for the over 60 age group. 

NWP: Have you ever had a favorite running partner? 

RT: My favorite partner was no one at all. It 

was nighttime in the Black Hills of South Dakota 

and I turned off my light and ran by a blood 

moon and starlight with the mantra of footfalls 

interlaced by the rhythm of my breathing. It 

really doesn’t get any better. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coos 

Biologis

Van S

accepts 

awa

District Round-Up

blm.gov/or/districts/burns Burns, Oregon 

• Run Up the Mountain: A record number of athletes 

participated in the Steens Rim Run & Walk on 

August 1 at beautiful Steens Mountain. See 

steensrimrun.com for results and photos! 

• National Wild Horse Adoption Day is coming 

up on September 26. Stay tuned at our wild horse 

website! blm.gov/or/resources/whb/index.php 

• Oregon’s Wild Horse Corral Facility Goes Solar: 

Speaking of wild horses, the Burns District installed 

a solar grid at Oregon’s Wild Horse Corral Facility. 

Project supervisor John Bethea – who has been 

involved in both public and private solar projects 

since the 1970s – said the facility may be 

able to garner up to 25 percent of its 

annual energy from the new unit. 

Coos Bay, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/coosbay 

• District Conservation Award: Glenn Harkleroad, 

Coos Bay District Restoration Coordinator, recently 

travelled to Washington D.C. to receive a Partners in 

Conservation Award from the Secretary of the Interior. 

The award recognized Glenn for his efforts to develop 

and promote partnerships at the Coos Bay District and in 

the local community. 

• Critical Environmental Programs: A series of 

special events began July 11 at the New River Area 

Burns, Oregon

Wild Horses Rule! 

of Critical Environmental Concern south of Bandon, 

Oregon. Programs aimed at both youth and adults 

include interpretive hikes through the wild coastal 

dunes, discussions about the area’s history, birding, and 

habitat restoration. For a complete listing of events and 

information on how to RSVP, the public is invited to visit 

the Coos Bay District website. 

• Riparian Fisheries Challenge Leads to BLM 

Award: A local partnership 

was awarded the American 

Fisheries Society’s Riparian 

Challenge Award for a stream 

restoration project in the North 

Fork Coquille Watershed. 

The project helped provide 

spawning and rearing habitat 

for salmon, steelhead trout, and 

cutthroat trout and is believed 

to be the largest-scale stream restoration project ever 

implemented in Oregon. 

Eugene, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/eugene 

• New Eugene Office: The Eugene District’s relocation 

to a new office is now a reality. The current site at 3110 

Pierce Parkway in Springfield allows the BLM to collocate 

with the Willamette National Forest in a building owned 

by the Oregon National Guard. 

PHOTOS BY BLM STAFF 

Students

Learning

• Environmental Education for Students: The 

McGowan Creek Environmental Science Program 

completed another successful year at its site located in 

the Coburg Hills near Eugene. About 500 students from 

Springfield elementary schools visited the old growth 

forest site to participate in outdoor education programs on 

forestry, wildlife, streams, and ponds. 

• Wild Horses Adopted: On June 6, eight wild horses 

were successfully adopted at a Eugene event cosponsored 

by the BLM’s Burns District. Local news media coverage 

put a spotlight on the BLM’s Wild Horse Program. 

14
s

 

 

 

Summer 15

2009

CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE 

Summer 

2009 

Lakeview, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/lakeview 

• Artwork Promotes Prevention of Vandalism and 

Littering: The BLM’s Lakeview District and the Pacific 

Northwest 4-Wheel Drive Association recently partnered 

to educate local fifth grade students on the negative 

effects of vandalism and littering on public lands. 

Beginning in May, Breanna O’Connor and Mona Drake 

traveled to elementary schools across Lake County 

to present this message to students. Following each 

discussion, participants were given two weeks to create a 

poster that represented the information they heard. All 

artwork was then judged with prizes awarded to the top 

17 artists. Anthony Botner and Kristina Gomez were the 

top two contest winners. 

• Demand for Juniper Products Rises Despite 

Economic Downturn: Much of the western juniper 

processed by Rehabilitation, Employment and Community 

Housing (REACH), Inc. of Klamath Falls, Oregon, comes 

from BLM-managed lands. Lakeview District Manager 

Carol Benkosky and Klamath Falls Resource Area staff 

members visited the REACH plant where they learned 

Welcome to News from 

all the BLM Districts

in Oregon and Washington!

that this product line began with animal bedding but 

has expanded to include pallets, utility posts, landscape 

timbers and mulch, decking material, engineered 

flooring, tongue and groove paneling, and many other 

products. These commodities are manufactured by 

a permanent workforce that includes individuals with 

disabilities. Currently, the mill runs two shifts and is 

considering expanding operations to three shifts to 

meet the increased market demand for its multiple 

products. The BLM is committed to searching for ways to 

increase the utilization of western juniper generated from 

rangeland restoration and hazardous fuels reduction 

projects with organizations like REACH. 

Medford, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/medford 

• Table Rocks, 30 Years of Partnership: 

The BLM celebrated this milestone along 

with the Nature Conservancy, the U.S. 

Fish & Wildlife Service, and State and 

local partners – to include recognition for the 

annual educational program that teaches over 4,500 

schoolchildren each year! 

g! 

 Bay 

st Dan 

Slyke 

ts the 

ard 

Juniper =

new jobs &

economic

growth

Please join us for an update on all of our community happenings! 

From: District Round-Up

To: You

Kids & Art! 
 

 

 

 

 

16

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

• Natural Resources Education Program: The 

Prineville District has developed a comprehensive 

natural resources education program by focusing on 

student learning, mentoring, and career progression. In 

addition, Prineville is also working with local teachers 

and community members to help provide youth 

leadership and conservation management skills. As a 

result of Prineville’s programs, students have logged 

almost 3,000 hours studying local waterways as part 

of an overall plan to improve riparian areas. Also, 340 

elementary school students participated in the Chimney 

Rock Environmental Education Program on the Crooked 

River Wild & Scenic River as part of an overarching 

conservation program. 

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

• Wild Horse Adoption: The BLM’s Roseburg District 

coordinated a wild horse adoption event held at the 

Holy Spirit Ranch in Rice Valley about 20 miles north 

of the District office. Cassie Soule, local trainer and 

participant in the BLM’s recent Extreme Mustang 

Makeover event, presented a brief handling and training 

demonstration with two of the horses. Four mustangs 

were successfully adopted! 

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

• Painting and Drawing Workshop at Yaquina 

Head: Pacific Northwest artist Erik Sandgren will hold 

a painting and drawing workshop at the BLM’s Yaquina 

Head Outstanding Natural Area on September 10 to 12, 

2009. Registration for this workshop is open for serious 

learners at all levels. Participants may register for 

morning sessions, afternoon sessions, or both. For further 

information contact Katherine Fuller, BLM Park Ranger, 

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (541)-574-

3143, or kafuller@blm.gov. 

• Eastwood Outdoor Days: Almost 500 students from 

every 4th grade class in the Roseburg School District 

attended a new environmental education program 

called the Eastwood Outdoor Days. BLM staff from 

the Roseburg District participated in this week-long 

outdoor classroom that was entirely dedicated to aquatic 

education. It was held on the Eastwood Nature Trail and 

consisted of six educational stations - which taught youth 

about the salmon life cycle, the water cycle, riparian 

areas, wetland study, the web of life, and Native 

American storytelling in an authentic plank house. 

PHOTOS BY BLM STAFF 

Learning

about

Water

Ecology! 

District Round-Up

CONTINUES

FROM

PREVIOUS

PAGE

You can paint this! 

Eastwood 
 

 

 

Summer 17

2009

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

• The BLM in Spokane Hosts SCEP Week 2009: 

Spokane, like the Salem District, hosted the Student 

Career Experience Program (SCEP) Week from June 22 

to 26. Seven students from Burns, Vale, the Oregon 

State Office, and Spokane began their week 

with an orientation and a question and answer 

session with the District’s leadership team. The 

students then spent most of the remainder of the 

week experiencing work outdoors in the field where 

they received first-hand opportunities to learn about the 

challenges associated with managing public lands near 

an urban area. The students worked closely to learn 

about BLM project planning, environmental processes, 

range monitoring, and the biocontrol of noxious weeds. 

• Spokane Partner Receives National Award: The 

Lopez Island Conservation Corps (LICC), a youth group 

and partner of the Spokane District, won the national 

Take Pride in America award. The awards ceremony took 

place at the Department of the Interior headquarters in 

Washington D.C. on July 17. LICC focused its first three 

years on grassroots efforts to engage island youth in 

healthy activities throughout the natural world. Their 

accomplishments include clearing overgrown trails for 

public use, removing invasive plant species from sensitive 

wildflower areas to restore land health, and cleaning 

trash from roadsides and beaches to benefit animals. 

• Spokane Participates at RAP Camp 2009: Local 

high school students from Spokane saddled up and 

headed out to Resources and People (RAP) Camp 2009 

at Lake of the Woods near Klamath Falls, Oregon. 

Spokane District’s Cheyne Rossbach introduced 

students to careers in natural resource management. 

After learning about processes and philosophies, the 

RAP participants took on a real-world exercise where 

they worked together to develop a land management 

plan to meet multiple needs while also protecting our 

valuable resources. The students then presented their 

plan in a simulated public meeting. 

Vale, Oregon blm.gov/or/districts/vale 

• Vale District Employees are Lifesavers: A thrilling letter 

of high praise and thanks for the BLM arrived at the Vale 

District office. This note came from a group of travelers who 

had taken a rafting trip down the Owyhee River. These 

floating visitors had been cruising down the river when their 

inflatable craft ripped on some rocks leaving them “stranded 

18 miles down river—no cell phone reception available.” 

The group began to get worried after finding themselves 

alone for the next few days with no one in sight. Luckily, 

they were overjoyed on the third day to receive a visit from 

their friendly neighborhood BLM District! A group from 

Vale led by specialists Dan Thomas and Bill Henry helped 

these waylaid travelers back to civilization and successfully 

rescued them! In their letter of appreciation, the visitors told 

the BLM that they definitely “will be back” because they “fell 

in love with the Owyhee” – as well as with the BLM. 

YOUR OREGON & WASHINGTON BLM DISTRICTS

Summer 

2009 

Summer

2009

Summer 17

SCE P 

Week 

‘09! 

headed out to Resources and People (RAP) Camp 2009 

RAP participants took on a real-world exercise where 

Never Fear,

BLM is here! 

Career Experience Program (SCEP) Week from June 22 

to 26. Seven students from Burns, Vale, the Oregon 

students then spent most of the remainder of the 

week experiencing work outdoors in the fi eld where 

they received fi rst-hand opportunities to learn about the 

d Outdoor Days! 
18
Summer 19

2009 

Summer

2009

Spokane, 

A District at 

the Crossroads 

STORY BY SCOTT PAVEY 

he District is at a crossroads,” said Spokane District Manager Robert 

Towne at an all-employee meeting in October 2008. “The 

major land exchanges and acquisitions that the District has been 

implementing over the past couple of decades have been completed. Now 

it’s time to focus on managing the lands we have acquired.” On April 20, 

2009, the District celebrated reaching this milestone, recognizing it as 

“the Spokane District, 25 years in the making.” 

he District is at a crossroads,” said Spokane District Manager Robert “TTowne at an all-employee meeting in October 2008. “ e 
 

here has been a Government 

Land Office in Spokane since 

1883. But the BLM’s Spokane 

District today is the 

Land Office in Spokane since 

1883. But the BLM’s Spokane TDistrict today is the 

result of some very recent 

transformations. 

SINCE THE LATE 1980s, the BLM’s Spokane District 

has prioritized efforts to consolidate public lands – mostly 

in eastern Washington – through a series of land exchanges 

and direct acquisitions. As a result, the geography of the 

public lands in Washington State has changed dramatically 

in the past 20 years. 

Since 1987, the National System of Public Lands in 

the State of Washington has increased by almost 150,000 

acres while over 32,000 acres of public land was conveyed 

to private ownership. Today the District manages 

448,000 acres – with 182,000 or 41 percent – almost half 

of the total BLM land 

“be amended to provide that the state no longer 

disclaim all rights to unappropriated federal 

public lands.” Approximately 60 percent of 

the people and the 

in Washington State Since 1987, the National System of Public majority in every 

– acquired during the Lands in the State of Washington has county voted no, 

past 20 years. increased by almost 150,000 acres signaling to BLM 

The District now 

stands at the crossroads Towne mentioned and looks to the 

future to determine where the management of these lands 

and resources should lead. 

HOW DID WE GET HERE? 

UP THROUGH THE 1970s, the BLM’s policy was to 

divest ownership of all Federal public lands in the State of 

Washington. But in 1980, at the height of the Sage Brush 

In the 1980 general election, the State put a measure 

on the ballot asking voters if the state constitution should 

that there was strong 

support for continued federal management of 

their public lands. 

In response to this vote, the Director of the 

BLM approved a proposal by the District to 

begin a process of consolidating BLM lands. 

At this time back in 1980, lands managed by 

the District consisted mostly of small parcels 

scattered across eastern Washington - most of 

HAND along with new District Manager Joe 

Buesing, who arrived in 1983, the stage was set 

Rebellion (a movement to give control over Federal lands 

to the states and local authorities), Washington voters told 

BLM they wanted public lands in their state to remain 

under federal management. 

which lacked public or administrative access. 

FORGING A “NEW” DISTRICT 

WITH THIS NEW DIRECTION IN 

20
 

Summer 21

2009

Just as the District was completing the RMP 

and preparing for implementation, a major 

setback occurred when the opportunity for 

exchange of federal lands was put on hold by a 

review of classifications and withdrawals of public lands 

for the purpose of removing or revoking those that were 

no longer warranted. In 1985, the National Wildlife 

Federation challenged this review and revocation program 

in court. 

The US District Court issued an injunction halting 

the review and suspended related reclassifications and 

withdrawal revocations. A large amount of the public 

lands in Washington were encumbered with classifications 

or withdrawals, many of 

which were no longer 

justified, but could not 

be removed due to the 

Court injunction, As a 

result, although the Spokane District completed the RMP 

in 1987, most of the lands proposed for exchange could not 

be made available for disposal or conveyance. 

The BLM appealed the US District Court decision, 

and in 1990, the US Supreme Court reversed the decision, 

lifting the injunction. 

FINALLY, IN 1991, more than a decade after the 

citizens of Washington had told BLM that they wanted 

Summer 21

2009 

for change in the Spokane District. “The first 

step was to develop a Resource Management 

Plan to provide direction for accomplishing the 

consolidation,” Buesing said. 

For the next several years, the District staff 

focused on their Resource Management Plan 

(RMP), and a Record of Decision was signed by 

the Oregon/Washington State Director in 1987. 

Although the RMP provided management 

direction for use 

and protection of all The citizens of Washington State told

BLM-administered the BLM that they wanted continued 

resources on public Federal management of public lands 

lands in eastern 

Washington, the main emphasis of the plan was 

on land tenure and consolidation. 

court injunction. 

In 1981, BLM had begun a major national 
 

 

 

YAKIMA RIVER CANYON 

IS FAMOUS BOTH FOR ITS 

BEAUTY AND IS ENDLESS 

RECREATION POTENTIAL 

continued federal management of public lands in their 

state, the Spokane District was truly able to begin the 

process of consolidation. 

TRANSFORMATION THROUGH COOPERATION 

ALTHOUGH THERE WAS DIRECTION from the 

people of Washington and approval from the Director of 

the BLM to begin consolidating federal public lands in 

the state, little funding was available to accomplish this 

task. Thus from 1991 until completion of the most recent 

transactions in 2008, the Spokane District stretched its 

limited budget, partnered with organizations like The 

Nature Conservancy, the Washington Department of Fish 

and Wildlife (WDFW), and the Washington Department 

of Natural Resources, and worked with an independent 

the landscape of eastern On the newly managed Federal lands, 

Washington. the Spokane District simultaneously 

Working with these restored wetlands and wildlife habitat 

exchange facilitator to orchestrate major exchanges which 

would forever change 

partners afforded the 

opportunity to block up large parcels of high value habitat 

by acquisition of lands adjacent to those owned or managed 

by The Nature Conservancy and WDFW. 

THE CHANGING FACE OF THE DISTRICT 

Lincoln County is one example of how much 

ownership changed. In 1984, there were only 

about 7,400 acres of BLM in this county. Today 

the District manages almost 80,000 acres in 

Douglas County is another example; in 

1984, the District managed only 37,700 acres 

but manages 54,300 acres there today. 

With the help of a facilitator, the District 

was able to participate in exchanges in these 

and other counties involving as many as 20 

As the increase in Federal lands in some 

counties began to accumulate, some county 

commissioners expressed concern regarding 

the potential loss 

of tax revenue. 

However, they 

found that revenues 

from paymentin-lieu of taxes actually exceeded the amount 

they had previously received in taxes from 

these primarily agricultural lands. 

[MAIN ARTICLE CONTINUES ON PAGE 24] 

Lincoln County. 

participants. 

22
Summer 23

2009

Summer 

2009 

Sidebar 

Islands!? In the BLM’s Spokane District? 

Detour Detour Detour Detou

Many people are unaware that the Spokane 

District manages 800 acres of public lands 

in the San Juan Islands, an archipelago in 

Northwestern Washington at the entrance to 

Puget Sound. 

Some of these lands have always been in 

Federal ownership while others were acquired 

by the District through direct purchase and 

still others reverted to BLM management 

when the U.S. Coast Guard relinquished sites 

previously withdrawn for lighthouse facilities. 

In the late 1970s, the Washington 

Department of Parks and Recreation asked the 

BLM to grant them a lease to manage some 

lands in the islands as State Parks. However, 

local public and several environmental groups 

were against managing these lands as parks. 

They felt that, with the existing national park 

and other state parks on the San Juan Islands, 

there was enough opportunity for recreational 

visitors. The locals and environmental groups 

preferred that the BLM manage the lands to 

preserve their natural condition and provide 

for wildlife habitat. The BLM supported 

the interests of the locals and environmental 

groups when, in 1990, it designated two of the 

largest BLM holdings on the islands as Areas 

of Critical Environmental Concern to preserve 

their natural character. 

This was one of the first times that the 

Spokane District had an opportunity to work 

with environmental groups who were mostly 

based and interested in western Washington. 

As a result of its willingness to work with these 

groups on the San Juan Islands, the Spokane 

District gained support for most of the major 

land exchanges in eastern Washington And in 

general, the Spokane District has established 

a congenial relationship by listening to 

the concerns of conservation advocacy 

organizations regarding management of BLM 

land on both sides of the state. 
 

SPOKANE’S BEAUTIFUL 

CHANNELLED SCABLANDS 

HAVE ENCHANTED 

VISITORS FOR MILLENNIA 

Much of the acquired lands had been heavily 

grazed by livestock for many years. While some 

of the previous owners and ranchers managed 

to stay in business through grazing leases on 

the now Federal lands, the District was able 

to simultaneously restore wildlife habitat and 

wetlands by reducing the amount of grazing that 

had previously occurred or changing grazing 

rotations. 

Within a short time, the success of the initial 

land exchanges began to build momentum and 

support. Backed by county commissioners, 

environmental groups, and state agencies, the 

District was eventually able to acquire Land 

and Water Conservation Funds and make direct 

purchases of some lands with high value wildlife 

habitat. 

The last of the major assembled land exchanges 

concluded on October 22, 2008. This marked 

the end of the era of major land consolidation by 

the Spokane District, and the start of managing 

the retained and acquired lands for present and future 

generations. 

VISION FOR THE DISTRICT’S FUTURE 

UPON REACHING THE CROSSROADS, the 

Spokane leadership team realized that a direction to move 

forward was needed to help guide future management and 

organization of the District. In October 2008, the team 

began developing a vision for the organization. 

Robert Towne discussed next steps with BLM staff at 

an all-employee meeting in Spokane. “The vision belongs 

to all of us,” Towne said as he solicited suggestions for 

improvement. Since then, the leadership team has begun 

to develop a strategy to achieve the vision and also plans to 

involve a number of other members from the District in the 

process. One of their main components will be a revision 

of the RMP that’s scheduled to begin in 2010. 

Just as the BLM employees in Spokane look forward 

to this future, so will all Washington State residents. It’s 

an exciting time for the public lands in their communities. 



24
 

Summer 25

2009 2009

Summer

A N D LET’S NOT FORGET that, in 

addition to Take It Outside, any one of 

us can ser ve as an inspiration to a class 

of elementar y school st udents or scouts or 

youth g roup members in our commu nities 

who have never experienced the majest y 

of hiking up a hill or crossing a snow-fed 

stream. Parents or g roup leaders can 

volunteer to take kids outside and wit ness 

these mar vels of nat ure. And while 

we’re there, we can also examine today’s 

environmental issues and discuss how 

we might all contr ibute to protecting our 

nat u ral resources in the f ut u re. 

Either on our own or as par t of the 

Take It Outside: Connect with Your 

Public Lands initiative, we can all help 

recon nect today’s youth with nat ure. 

These child ren are our next workforce and 

fut ure decision-makers. And once they’ve 

had the oppor tunit y to r u n, jump, and 

play in their own public back yard, they’ll 

begin to create fantastic memories and 

exper iences that will con nect them to the 

g reat outdoors for the rest of their lives. 

Our jour ney merely begins with a tr ip 

to nat ure and the public lands that make up 

our shared “backyard.” So this summer 

let’s take a moment and ask ourselves, 

“WHAT HAV E WE EX PLOR ED 

TODAY?” 

What’s In Your Backyard? 

 And for more about the BLM’s 

Outside

Take It

 initiative, please contact Leah Schrodt at

541.618.2468 or Leah_Schrodt@blm.gov or visit

the BLM’s Take It Outside homepage:

blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/children_and_nature.html 

What kind of adventures are available

to youth on public lands? Lots! 

 In western Washington State, your kids can join

The Great Lighthouse Hunt on the San Juan Islands! 

 Within the city limits of Eugene, Oregon, check 

out the West Eugene Wetlands, one of the most

endangered plant communities in the nation. 

 Explore learning stations and trails fun for the

whole family at Oregon’s Wildwood Recreation Site 

near Portland and McGregor Park near Medford. 

 Plus get started right now! You can download an 

awesome BLM Junior Explorer Activity Pack at

blm.gov/wo/st/en/res/Education_in_BLM/Learning_

Landscapes/For_Kids/junior_explorer.html 

 To discover Fun Adventures

can help 

 and see how you

encourage youth to explore

public lands, please visit the Oregon/W

 nature on our

BLM’s recreation site:

ashington

blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/ 

You can see more online! 

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 
 

26

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU’VE RUN 

THE COURSE, been downgraded to a historical 

footnote, tossed on the cultural reference trash 

heap, and relegated to Wikipedia? 

Only Johnny Horizon can say for sure, but he 

has definitely experienced all of these things as a 

result of the shifting sands of time. 

* 

* 

Only Johnny Horizon can say for sure, but he 

has definitely experienced all of these things as a 

Which has led some 

“BLM needs a new symbol to 

represent the importance of 

caring for the land, such as 

the old Johnny Horizon...” 

[MINUTES FROM A 2003 MEETING OF THE BLM’S 

NORTHEAST CALIFORNIA RESOURCE ADVISORY COUNCIL]

26
STORY BY MICHAEL CAMPBELL 

Summer 27

2009

Where in

the world 

is Johnny?

Summer 27

2009 

ask folks to ... 
 

 

28

For the uninitiated, Johnny Horizon 

was cultural icon – well, that 

might be a stretch. But he did, after 

all, have his own Presidential Proclamation 

in 1976 – even if Johnny wasn’t what 

you’d call a “franchise player.” He was a dash of 

Clint Eastwood, a pinch of strong-jawed western 

inventiveness, part silent cardboard cowboy cut-out, 

a little Mark Trail, and, most simply, a member of 

the same club as Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl. 

PUBLIC INTEREST IN MR. 

HORIZON PEAKED WITH 

THE 1970s LP (long play) record 

that Johnny Horizon cut with the 

well-known Burl Ives giving 

the listening audience a better 

understanding about this 

newly created agency mascot. 

When posed the question, “Who 

is Johnny Horizon?” the album answered, “Johnny is 

a symbolic character representing thoughtful users of 

publicly owned lands. And he has a message: “THIS 

LAND IS YOUR LAND – KEEP IT CLEAN!” 

According to National Public Lands News, Johnny 

began his humble career with the BLM in 1968, when 

the “Johnny Horizon” program was initiated by BLM to 

promote public awareness of BLM-administered lands. 

Several years later Johnny Horizon teamed with such 

notables as famed folk-singer Burl Ives, country music 

upstart Glenn Campbell, 

and psychedelic variety show stars Sonny and Cher. 

Eventually, under the aphoristic slogan “Do You Care?” the 

Johnny Horizon campaign used its new-found star power 

and variety show cred to focus on litter and pollution efforts. 

In turn the success of Johnny’s anti-litter work begat toys, 

coloring books, watches, environmental test kits, stamps, 

and strangely – matches. 

Shortly after the hoopla associated with the Nation’s 

bicentennial in 1976, Johnny 

Horizon slowly faded into the 

h i s t o r y 

books. One 

would think 

that with the 

bicentennial in 1976, Johnny 

Horizon slowly faded into the Burl

Ives Ives 

Sonny & Cher! Sonny & Cher!

Mr. Glen Campbell 

28
 

But alas, that just hasn’t been the case. 

WAS JOHNNY HORIZON A VICTIM OF HIS OWN 

SUCCESS? A casualty in the waning days of Disco? Caught 

up in the pitfalls of agency budgeting? Or was it just his time 

to hang up his (cowboy) hat? 

No one knows for sure. But a 1977 report from the U.S. 

Commission on Civil Rights 

Code” 

Johnny Horizon 

symbol. 

reports, this 

streams and terrain.’ 

of 

figure promoting 

values. The two 

f ig u res 

success of the earlier litter campaigns, 

celebrity endorsements, a nod from 

none-other-than President Ford, the 

dawn of the Federal Land Policy and 

Management Act, and the stamp of 

approval from Peanuts creator Charles 

Schulz, that Johnny Horizon would be 

a stable fixture much like that of Smokey Bear. 

with the terrain of our country.”

times they were-a-changin’. 

with successful national campaigns and 

endorsements from Peanuts creator 

Charles Schulz and President Gerald 

Ford, one might think johnny horizon 

would be an icon for the ages 

should be depicted as persons of equal strength of 

character, displaying equal familiarity and concern 

Burl Ives and others continued to push for the 

expansion of the Johnny Horizon program, but the 

Maybe it was just 

too much for the agency to contemplate a “Jane” 

Horizon, maybe Johnny needed to be a little more 

anthropomorphic like his buddy Smokey, or maybe 

with the emergence of the Federal Land Policy and 

Management Act it was just time for something new. 

LIKE MANY ARTIFACTS OF THE PAST, it’s 

tough to say the exact time, day, or year they ceased 

to be in circulation. Sometimes there is no retirement 

party for our beloved 

friends. Sometimes 

they just need to 

make way for the new 

generation of mascots 

and symbols. And 

sometimes, perhaps 

Summer 29

2009

Summer 

2009 

titled “Sex Bias in the U.S. 

written by esteemed 

U.S. Supreme Court Justice 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg discussed 

by noting 

“...A further unwarranted male 

reference appears in 18 U.S.C. §714, which 

regulates use of the ‘Johnny Horizon’ anti-litter 

According to the congressional 

tall lean figure with sports 

clothes, hiking boots, and a field jacket is ‘a 

representative of a rugged outdoorsman who 

loves our forests, deserts, mountains, lakes, 

This sex stereotype 

of the outdoors person and protector 

the environment should be 

supplemented with a female 

the same 

like Johnny Horizon, they just quietly ride 

off into the sunset knowing they’ve 

done a good day’s work. 
 

 

 

 

 

30

L

30

ast June, I found myself hiking way 

down into the dramatic depths of Joseph 

Canyon in far northeastern Oregon. 

With each step, I walked deeper and 

deeper into the setting of the novel, 

Coyote Staircase, a mystery starring Tom 

Kreuger – or rather his alter ego, Clair 

Button. 

In addition to his fame as a published 

author, Clair is also 

a retired BLM 

wildlife biologist 

turned botanist, just 

like the protagonist 

who serves as the 

main character in his 

mysteries. 

While historical 

fiction tends to weave 

actual incidents from 

history into the lives 

of fictional characters, Clair’s stories are 

all the more intriguing because most of 

his characters (and I mean characters!) are 

descriptions or composites of former BLM 

colleagues and people he met on the job. 

His characters live in settings that come 

from his life experiences wandering the 

outback on public lands from Colorado to 

Arizona to Oregon. 

Clair says his 28 years with BLM – in 

addition to two with the Post Office and 

another two in the U.S. Army – left him 

with endless story material. Thus his 

stories’ settings are based on reality even 

if his villains and non-BLM characters are 

fictional. 

When I asked Clair if technical writing 

of reports prepared him for creative 

writing, he said, “No, not really. It may 

have given me experience with grammar 

and vocabulary, but writing environmental 

THE AUTHOR

DRAWING

INSPIRATION FOR

HIS NEXT NOVEL

AT THE “SCENE

OF THE CRIME!” 

INSPIRATION FOR

HIS NEXT NOVEL

AT THE “SCENE

OF THE CRIME!”

A New 

Chapter 

A retired BLM Biologist rewrites 

his life story as a mystery novelist 

history into the lives 

author, Clair is also 

BY SUSAN NELSON 

main character in his fi ctional. 

While historical 

fi ction tends to weave 

actual incidents from 

history into the lives 

When I asked Clair if technical writing 

of reports prepared him for creative 

writing, he said, “No, not really. It may 

have given me experience with grammar 

and vocabulary, but writing environmental 

fi ctional. 

When I asked Clair if technical writing 

of reports prepared him for creative 

writing, he said, “No, not really. It may 

have given me experience with grammar 

and vocabulary, but writing environmental 

fi ctional. 

When I asked Clair if technical writing 

of reports prepared him for creative 

writing, he said, “No, not really. It may 

have given me experience with grammar 

and vocabulary, but writing environmental 
 

 

 

Summer 31

2009 

Summer

2009

Summer 31

2009

Summer 

2009 

assessments and planning documents was 

stifling compared to fieldwork where you 

can learn and explore. My coworkers on 

the other hand gave me a lifetime of oneliners that I have been able to sprinkle 

throughout the series...” 

Clair has created a hero for all BLMers. 

His protagonist Tom Kreuger is a hands-on 

scientist who has the ability to annoy his 

supervisors by skirting the rules. But he 

continually amazes his cohorts by solving 

crimes armed only with his rapier wit, acute 

curiosity, and an uncanny ability to wield 

the scientific method. 

CLAIR TOLD ME THAT HE 

WROTE HIS FIRST BOOK, Cow 

Cookies, for himself with no idea that it 

would lead to another career. After his 

friends read it, they talked him into getting 

it published. 

Clair has since found that writing 

for readers other than himself has 

caused him to change his style. With 

Quicksand Plot and Coyote Staircase, 

he included more characters and 

moved his hero backward and forward 

through different periods of his life. 

Initially, Clair used a professional editor. 

Since then, he has relied on the advice of his 

wife, also a former BLM employee, as well 

as his colleagues in the Baker City writer’s 

group which he organized after he retired in 

2006. 

Although Clair had only a vague idea 

of what he would do in retirement, 

he knew he’d continue his passion 

for natural resources. And indeed he 

has. In addition to his fiction, Clair 

also manages the website for his local 

chapter of the Oregon Native Plant 

Society. If that weren’t enough, he 

takes care of the greenhouse at a local 

senior center. Plus Clair recently reconnected 

with other members from his Army platoon in 

Vietnam. Then just last year he successfully 

ran for City Council in Baker City where 

he’s since been able to help make decisions 

involving his local environment. Not to 

mention publishing three novels! 

Clair Button’s advice for anyone 

considering creative writing is to write 

what you know. But one more immediate 

suggestion for us is to get to know Tom 

Kreuger. Clair says he’s got two new novels 

in the works, and I have a feeling we’ll all be 

seeing a lot more of this BLM hero. 

it published. 

““The sun began to sear his bald spot the instant he emerged 

from the Bronco. From a cardboard box on the back seat, he 

unfolded a National Forest map covering the vinyl driver’s seat 

and back, shading it from the sun. That would make it possible 

to sit when he returned. It gave him wry satisfaction to think 

that the Forest Service was doing something to save his ass.” 

Clair Button, Cow Cookies 

JOSEPH CANYON SERVES AS 

THE SETTING FOR CLAIR’S 

NOVELS – AND FOR HIS LIFE! 

moved his hero backward and forward 

Clair has since found that writing 

for readers other than himself has 

caused him to change his style. With 

, 
hat historic 

 

 

Summer 32

2009 32

Do You Remember? 

Summer 32

2009 

Ticon, Johnny Horizon? 

The BLM’s mascot by way of John Wayne, Mark 

Trail, and the greatest stewards our public lands have ever known? 

Whether you’re meeting him for the first time or welcoming back an old 

friend, please join us inside this issue on page 26. 

Starting from this autographed photo 

of Johnny Horizon’s buddy, Burl 

Ives, we’ll be taking you back to 

a vintage period in our history. 

And between the memorabilia, 

the celebrities, and 

the memories, we 

can try to answer 

that old question: 

“Where in the 

world is Johnny 

Horizon?” 

BackCountry 

That historic