What do horsemen and hikers, educators and counselors, hunters and berry-pickers, loggers and home brewers have in common that brings them together? An appreciation for the wild public-lands legacy and recreational and economic opportunities our nation has gifted to us in this area, and to future generations.

People from many backgrounds gathered Thursday, April 25 at Rimrock Lodge in Thompson Falls to escape the divisiveness of politics and simply enjoy each other’s contributions and company.

Several advocacy groups made short presentations, inviting the others to join in guided hikes, trail maintenance volunteer projects, kids’ camps, or anything else they offered.

ON HAND to answer questions or discuss the future were representatives from Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Montana Wilderness Association, Plains and Trout Creek chapters of Backcountry Horsemen, and Cube Iron–Cataract Coalition, and others.

Old hands shared history with younger folks, while the oldsters seemed to gain renewed energy to see the enthusiasm of a younger generation willing to continue a tradition of rolling up their sleeves to enjoy and help care for public lands into the future.