Challenge to California and Nevada Horsemen

["Hickory Ridge Arabians" <hikryrdg@evansville.net>]

This was sent to Jerry Fruth-AERC Trails Chairman,
he is forwarding it on to you to see.

Please Note that as of this writing the Challenge has
been responded to by Pat Dallam and her sisters in
Palo Alto who have put up an additional $10k, which
puts us near the half way point in raising the $50k we
will need.  Please pass this notice on to your
networks and do whatever you can to help us reach the
goal we need for a horse camp.)

Challenge to California and Nevada Horsemen


The Truckee Donner Land Trust (TDLT) is trying to
raise a half million dollars as its share of costs
with the State to purchase the Schallenberger Ridge
that runs along the south side of Donner Lake.  This
acquisition is critical for completion of the Donner
Lake Rim Trail.

The Donner Lake Rim Trail begins in Truckee, goes up
the north side of Highway 80 to where it joins the
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), turns west and follows the
same route as the PCT to the Schallenberger Ridge.  A
new trail is now in planning down the Schallenberger
Ridge to complete the 23-mile loop back to the Town of
Truckee.

Horsemen have been active with the TDLT over the past
few years to assure that the Rim Trail will be
available for mixed use, INCLUDING EQUESTRIANS.  Bay
Area horsemen have donated the bridge in Negro Canyon
across Gregory Creek to assure equestrian access to
the trail on the north side of the trail alignment.
We also serve on the advisory committee to the Trust
Board of Directors.  With the help of Perry Norris of
TDLT, we have succeeded in getting a Memorandum of
Understanding between the State of California and TDLT
that equestrians WILL be allowed on the Rim Trail.

In addition, Norris is negotiating with the State to
identify a parcel of land suitable for a horse camp
somewhere along or near the trail alignment, probably
on the north side.  We hope to be able to review
several prospective sites by this summer.  Once a site
is selected and approved through public processes,
horsemen will have the opportunity to build such a
camp with volunteer effort.  Envision riding the
Donner Rim Trail one day, heading down to Robey Horse
Camp the next day, and back to the Rim Trail the
third.  However, in order to assure this opportunity
is explored to the fullest, and to guarantee
acquisition of the Schallenberger Ridge to complete
the Rim Trail, horsemen must come to the table with
significant dollars this summer for the TDLT to meet
its estimated half million dollar cost share.  We are
trying to raise 10% or $50,000.

We issue a challenge to California and Nevada horsemen
to make sure these wonderful opportunities become a
reality:  We will pledge up to $11,000 if you match us
dollar for dollar. Please submit your contributions to
the TDLT before September 1, 2001.
Make checks payable to the Truckee Donner Land Trust
but BE SURE to earmark the checks for the SMCo
Equestrian Matching Grant in order to get matching
funds for the donation.  Mail contributions to TDLT at
PO Box 8816 Truckee 96162  (530-582-4711).

TDLT needs to raise an additional $3.4 m in the next
few years to protect and preserve 3200 acres deemed
critical to the pristine vision of the Rim Trail to
avoid development immediately adjacent to the trail
alignment. When the planning for the trail down the
Schallenberger is complete, volunteer effort will be
needed for parts of the actual trail construction.
Please consider actively supporting this wonderful
organization over the next several years.   Take
advantage of an opportunity to leverage your
contributions to the Rim Trail by equal matching
donations from others who consider this a critical
opportunity for horsemen now and in the future.

Happy Trails from Adda Quinn and George Sublett
envirohorse@yahoo.com


Adda Quinn
3027 St. James Rd.
Belmont CA 94002
650-592-0722 phone
650-802-8654 fax but computer must be on, call first
envirohorse@yahoo.com Adda