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The Wilderness Rider Program

2003 Wilderness RidersThe Wilderness Rider Program is a partnership between the Backcountry Horsemen of California, the National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Wilderness Riders are trained stock users who have made a commitment to educating others about the value of wildlands and the importance of Gentle Use Skills.

Wilderness Rider Job Description

Wilderness Riders represent the Backcountry Horsemen of California, the Park Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management. Their duties are weighted equally between work in the field and workshop presentations.

Wilderness Riders are mounted volunteers who ride high use areas educating stock users and others about the value of wilderness and the importance of Gentle Use skills. They may also be called upon to monitor trail maintenance needs, maintain trails, conduct on site restoration, trailhead education, field based Gentle Use instruction and other duties as requested by the agency contact. Wilderness Riders schedule and deliver educational sessions on how to practice Gentle Use skills in or out of doors, and could involve hands on demonstrations, skits, slides, videos, and other multi-media presentation tools. The Wilderness Rider must be able to maintain relationships with the agency partners and community members, schedule their own trips and educational sessions.

Wilderness Rider Forms

Wilderness Rider Project Report Form in .pdf format

Wilderness Rider Application in .pdf format

Gentle Use Skills and Ethics

  • Plan Ahead and Prepare
  • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  • Dispose of Waste Properly
  • Leave What You Find
  • Minimize Campfire Impact
  • Respect Wildlife
  • Be Considerate of Other Users
  • Minimize Stock Impact

Selection Procedure

  • Submit Wilderness Rider application at the BCHC Rendezvous, or by April 20 of each year.
  • You must be interviewed by the selection committee, preferably at the Rendezvous.
  • Selection committee reviews applications and calls references.
  • Wilderness Rider selection committee chooses successful applicants.
  • Successful applicants are notified by the selection committee by June 1 of each year.
  • If selected must join Backcountry Horsemen of California.
  • Must complete Wilderness Rider Training.
  • Must be accepted into the Wilderness Rider Program by the training course instructors.