Back Country Horsemen of California, with support from various units across the state and a grant from Back Country Horsemen of America, sponsored an Intern for the summer of 2018 to work with the Pack Stock Region 5 Center of Excellence. The intern worked directly with Forest Service Packers Michael Morse and Lee Roeser as well as the Regional Master Packer. Dennis Serpa, working with Lee and Michael, developed the application and interview process, expectations of the Intern, and benefits of the program to BCHC & BCHA. This was the first time many of the units in California joined forces to collectively contribute to sponsor an intern for the Center of Excellence. This intern was specifically trained in pack stock use, along with many other skills that were learned from Lee and Michael.
The main mission statement that Lee and Michael were guided by was as follows: “To develop young adults to carry on the skills, attitude and fundamentals of packing, partnerships and LNT for the future of BCH.”Back Country Horsemen of California see this internship alliance as an opportunity to not only develop a passion in a young person to continue the goals of BCHA; but also to strengthen our partnerships with our public land agencies.
Kristianne Morrison was our intern for this inaugural event. She has received rave reviews from all of the people who have worked with her.
In addition to Michael and Lee, Kristianne was certified on the Crosscut Saw by BCHC members Michael Lewis and Jack Peckham at the Region 5 Wilderness Academy soon after the beginning of the internship. Bill Carter (Eastern Sierra Unit of BCHC) took Kristianne on a trail clearing project to the Pacific Crest Trail soon after she was certified to get her some immediate trail clearing experience.
Throughout her time working for the Center of Excellence, Kristianne learned a variety of skills; ranging from how to properly pack and balance loads, proper use of trail tools, how to tie a variety of knots for various purposes, as well as the principles of Leave No Trace, and why they are important to the future of our wilderness areas. Back Country Horsemen of California hope, with continued support from BCHA and our local units, to continue this internship program for years to come. Thank You again to all of our supporters; BCHA, BCHC, local units, and of course, Lee Roeser and Michael Morse!
Learn more online:
www.bcha.org
Back Country Horsemen of California
Sponsor an Intern for the
Forest Service Region 5 Pack Stock Center of Excellence
By Karen Lopes
36 / Sport and Trail Magazine
The main mission statement that Lee and Michael were guided by was as follows: “To develop young adults to carry on the skills, attitude and fundamentals of packing, partnerships and LNT for the future of BCH.”Back Country Horsemen of California see this internship alliance as an opportunity to not only develop a passion in a young person to continue the goals of BCHA; but also to strengthen our partnerships with our public land agencies.
Kristianne Morrison was our intern for this inaugural event. She has received rave reviews from all of the people who have worked with her.
In addition to Michael and Lee, Kristianne was certified on the Crosscut Saw by BCHC members Michael Lewis and Jack Peckham at the Region 5 Wilderness Academy soon after the beginning of the internship. Bill Carter (Eastern Sierra Unit of BCHC) took Kristianne on a trail clearing project to the Pacific Crest Trail soon after she was certified to get her some immediate trail clearing experience.
Throughout her time working for the Center of Excellence, Kristianne learned a variety of skills; ranging from how to properly pack and balance loads, proper use of trail tools, how to tie a variety of knots for various purposes, as well as the principles of Leave No Trace, and why they are important to the future of our wilderness areas. Back Country Horsemen of California hope, with continued support from BCHA and our local units, to continue this internship program for years to come. Thank You again to all of our supporters; BCHA, BCHC, local units, and of course, Lee Roeser and Michael Morse!
Learn more online: www.bcha.org