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Let’s All Do More “Green” Wheeling Let’s All Do More “Green” Wheeling
5 SIMPLE TIPS FOR GREEN WHEELING I don’t want you to frown at the title of this article and think that I am going... Let’s All Do More “Green” Wheeling

5 SIMPLE TIPS FOR GREEN WHEELING

I don’t want you to frown at the title of this article and think that I am going to suggest you recycle your toilet paper or any other extremist radical-enviro malarkey, because that’s not the case.  What I do suggest is that we all love four-wheeling and going the places we go, seeing the things we see.  But we don’t enjoy seeing a pile of trash left behind or some idiot getting off trail and tearing up the countryside.  “Green” wheeling is actually an acronym as well as a concept that help solve these problems.

Grand Mesa Jeep Club Rock Junction 2012, picking up desert trash left behind by the general public.

SOME “GREEN” MAKES SENSE

Admittedly, I have some “green” concepts that make full sense to me and what I leave behind for younger folks, such as 1) conserving and using our resources wisely; 2) keeping our outdoors clean; 3) cutting back on waste a bit; 4) using common sense to reduce air and water pollution; 5) making America more energy self-sufficient; and 6) curtailing illegal and outlaw behavior on public lands and water ways.

So, when it comes to four-wheeling, here’s my suggestion for “GREEN.”

G = Get serious about land use.

R = Read the riot act to outlaws.  (or Read from the Good Book?)

E = Educate yourself and others.

E = Eradicate trail trash.

N = Never be the drip.

WHAT DOES “GREEN” STAND FOR?

G = Getting serious about land use means three things: JOIN, DONATE and VOLUNTEER. Join everything you can afford to join, including national, regional, state and local clubs/associations that make sense to what you believe in.  Donate (beyond membership) at tax return time or when you have some extra cash.  And volunteer your time and energy at least a few times a year to those causes/groups doing what you know makes a difference.

The simple things you can do.

R = Read the riot act to outlaws means not letting someone tear up your recreational opportunities and trails. Ask them to stop; show them the error of their ways; or just report them (with pictures) to the nearest law enforcement authority.  If there is a trail patrol or trail watch program, be a part of that.  STOP the outlaws, AND the ill-informed from ruining our future.

Rubicon Trail Ken Hower, Trail Patrol leader with his screaming mean look.

E = Educate yourself and others on good trail behavior such as the BlueRibbon Coalition Recreation Code of Ethics and Tread Lightly principles.  Carry handouts and freely offer ideas to others on how we can keep our trails open by “doing it right.”

E = Eradicate trail trash is just that – carry a trash bag and pack out more than you brought in.  Set the example for others and stop and pick up that can alongside the trail when so many others may have driven by it. Proudly display your trash bag and fill it up as often as you can!  Clean up messy left-behind camp fire rings, even those you did not create.

The author sets the example and picks up desert shooting trash, not his. Carry a trash bag.

N = Never be the drip and set the example for having a rig that does not leave a fluid trail or sit and drip in camp. Maintain and fix your 4×4 so it doesn’t pollute the trail.  Fix your muffler; tighten up hoses; replace seals; and stop any fluid leaks on the trail.

Do the crescent wrench and creeper routine before each trip like Stacie Albright here. Stop the drip!

If we all practice this idea of Green Wheeling, our trails will be in better shape than ever, our image will improve immensely with those who watch us (or don’t like us), and our future will be brighter.

Del Albright Ambassador

Internationally published author; WorldWide ModernJeeper Abassador and 2014 Inductee of the Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. Del has been involved in the Jeeping Lifestyle for longer then most of us can count. His educational and mentorship programs have helped developed warfighters in the ongoing battle to keep Public Lands Open to the Public.

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