Saving Moab with BlueRibbon Coalition

Updated on Jul 8, 2024

Recreational trails have come under fire from local and federal authorities in recent years. In a misguided effort to safeguard Mother Nature, trail access is being revoked on a national level by several environmental groups.

While some off-road patrons deviate from trails and leave previously clean and well-kept areas littered with debris, most off-roaders respect the trails they enjoy visiting. Unfortunately, a few bad apples can spoil the bunch, resulting in a full-fledged attack on all recreational motorists.

Fortunately, this tight-knit hobby isn’t without its fair share of fighters. And if enough enthusiasts join together to rally against unjust trail shutdowns, we can stave off and even reverse recreational motorist bans on some of the country’s most iconic trails. Such is the mission of BlueRibbon Coalition.

In this feature, we’re highlighting the organization’s bold mission, ongoing efforts in Moab, Utah, and ways fellow motorists can aid in the cause.

Table of Contents:

Who is BlueRibbon Coalition?

BlueRibbon Coalition and Moab

How You Can Help

Who Is BlueRibbon Coalition?

In this section, we’re taking a deeper look at BlueRibbon Coalition, including the organization's history, goal, and ongoing efforts across the country.

When Was BlueRibbon Coalition Founded?

Blue Ribbon Coalition was founded in 1987 after Idaho Governor John Evans expressed his public opinion that recreational motorists had no political significance or power. Instead, Evans suggested that motorized access to public lands didn’t hold a candle to wilderness protection.

What Evans failed to grasp, however, is that both viewpoints can coexist. Most recreationists are, in actuality, just as passionate about the outdoors as they are about the vehicles they pilot through it.

Who Started BlueRibbon Coalition?

Blue Ribbon Coalition’s founder and first Executive Director, Clark Collins, formally incorporated the Idaho Public Land Users Association in early 1987 to educate and inform the public of the State legislative effort to restrict recreational use of Idaho’s public land. Months later, in April 1987, the BlueRibbon Coalition was formally incorporated.

By 1988, BRC (BlueRibbon Coalition) garnered the support of several OHV manufacturers, enabling Collins to take on the role of BRC’s first full-time Executive Director.

Why Was BlueRibbon Coalition Founded?

BlueRibbon Coalition was founded by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts. Upon noting the diminishing support and advocacy for recreational motorists, Collins founded the BRC to provide a concise, unified voice for all recreationists, expressing an unwavering desire to safeguard trail access.

As evident from BRC’s updated website domain (sharetrails.org), the organization aims to ensure trail access remains open and shared amongst all recreationists.

What is BlueRibbon Coalition’s Mission?

BlueRibbon Coalition has a simple mission. The well-respected national recreation group encourages individual environmental stewardship with minimal state and federal intervention. Pulled directly from the BRC website, the organization aims to “champion responsible use of public lands for the benefit of all recreationists.”

BRC accomplishes this mission through continued education, outreach, membership, and unwavering support from volunteers and fellow recreationists.

BlueRibbon Coalition and Moab

Since 2008, BlueRibbon Coalition has fought tooth and nail against the Moab Bureau of Land Management (BLM) after a plan was drafted to close miles of beloved off-road trails in the Moab, Utah area.

This plan affected nearly 10,000 miles of trails, including the iconic Gemini Bridges/Labyrinth Rims campsites. After these initial closures, routes near the campsites could be deemed as “providing no recreational value,” leading to 317 miles of additional trail closures. This plan also restricts recreational motorists' access to vistas, “high value” Jeep® trails, and scenic routes.

After numerous redrafts, challenges, and appeals, including diligent efforts by BRC staff and volunteers, the BLM's planned closures were granted. Though legislation to defund the BLM’s plan made it to the U.S. House of Representatives—called the Historic Roadways Protection Act—all legal efforts were denied, and all previously mentioned trails were closed in November 2023.

The BRC has since challenged the ruling in the federal district court for the District of Utah, where the issue remains. For additional information on the timeline and closures, check out BRC’sSave Moab page.

How You Can Help

BlueRibbon Coalition offers several avenues for enthusiasts to support and assist the organization's continued efforts and cause.

Donate to the Cause

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a non-profit IRS 501(c)(3) organization. One of the simplest ways to benefit the BRC’s ongoing legal and on-the-ground efforts is to donate directly to the cause. BRC allows monthly or one-time donations—every dollar counts to save the nation’s beloved off-road trails.

Purchase a BlueRibbon Membership

Another less direct form of support is through BlueRibbon Coalition’s annual membership program. The BRC offers three membership tiers: a basic plan for $25/year, a premium plan for $50/year, and a lifetime membership for $600.

Basic membership includes a membership card, BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) sticker, voting rights, and a subscription to BRC’s media products.

Premium and lifetime memberships include all of the above benefits and a $25 digital credit from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, a discount for Gorilla Whips.

Spread the Word

Lastly, spread the word. This method does not involve monetary donations or funds. However, sharing BlueRibbon Coalition’s mission with fellow enthusiasts and recreationists is one of the simplest means of furthering BRC's mission.

Recreational motorists’ access to some of the country's most beautiful and iconic landscapes is in jeopardy, and with the support of BRC and fellow wheelers, we can protect recreationists' land rights for generations to come.