Horsemen contribute mightily to woods work

Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead was founded in 1973 by four friends who were avid hunters and horsemen with a desire to preserve the heritage of wilderness packing in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and all of Montana’s backcountry.

Today the organization has 174 chapters in 21 states with more than 13,000 members.

Back Country Horsemen is an invaluable partner with the Forest Service, along with numerous other agencies and organizations that do work in the wilds of Montana, and its packers contribute millions of in-kind donations annually to the Forest Service.

Now that the local chapter is getting geared up for another banner year here in the Flathead, it stopped to take a look at some of its past accomplishments.

In 2013, members donated more than 3,100 hours of volunteer time for packing, clearing trails, training and education and at public events. Packers hauled stock 12,759 miles to projects where pack stock worked more than 5,400 hours and packed 28,360 pounds of goods.

Last year the group’s volunteer efforts were worth $199,447, according to board member Wayne Appl. With current government cutbacks, their help is truly appreciated.

Goals for 2014 are to increase the membership to 225 (currently the organization has about 180) and subsequently increase volunteer hours to 5,000. Most importantly, Appl says, is getting youths and the younger generations involved in the organization.

“We are all getting older and the art of packing stock and trail maintenance is slowly disappearing,” Appl said. “By getting younger people involved, it will give us the opportunity to mentor the next generation of packers because we won’t be able to do it forever.”

Members are trained in defensive horsemanship, horse and mule packing, first aid, Leave No Trace principles and trail etiquette.

Back Country Horsemen meet at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Building, 490 Meridian Road, in Kalispell. Everyone interested is welcome. For more information, visit www.bchmt.org.

Lions Park on the south end of Kalispell has a colorful new look, thanks to a complete refresh of three wood gazebos, a pavilion and a storage building — just in time for spring.

Working with the Kalispell Lions Club, Sherwin-Williams donated materials and several volunteers from the local store donated their time on April 7 to prep and restain the structures.   

The project was part of Sherwin-Williams commitment to making a positive difference in communities across America in recognition of National Painting Week.

Community editor Carol Marino may be reached at 758-4440 or by email at community@dailyinterlake.com.