The BCHBC promotes the right to ride for equestrians on public trails in British Columbia. Kevan Bracewell supports their work in BC through annual donations.
At a glance…
The Back Country Horsemen of British Columbia promote responsible management and sharing of public trails, while providing a fun, safe atmosphere for people to learn more about trail riding and backcountry horsemanship.
- Through funding from the Back Country Horsemen’s Trails Committee, local chapters complete regular trail maintenance and improvement projects.
- The BCHBC advocates for horseback riders’ right to ride on public trails, honoring the legacy of horseback riding in BC.
- Kevan Bracewell supports the BCHBC through an annual donation of horse pack trips, with an average value of $1500, and through continued advocacy for responsible sharing and management of public lands throughout the Bridge River Valley watershed.
- These contributions from Kevan Bracewell help raise funds for the BCHBC and support the right to ride for all horseback riders in BC
Who are the Back Country Horsemen of British Columbia?
The Back Country Horsemen of British Columbia (BCHBC) is an organization of equestrian enthusiasts who promote education and conservation through social and safe trail riding experiences. In 1991 the BCHBC received official, “Not for Profit” status. Since that time, the organization has maintained a steady commitment to responsible land management and the preservation of public lands and wilderness parks. As part of this commitment, the Back Country Horsemen’s Trails Committee provides grants for trail projects that improve the quality of trails through construction, renovation, repairs, improved signage, and consistent maintenance. The BCHBC also promote the responsible, sustainable use of wilderness trails and public lands by facilitating greater cooperation between the provincial and municipal governments, local businesses, and recreational users of public parks in BC. The BCHBC continually works to protect the right to ride for horseback riders throughout BC. With the growing popularity of modern recreational activities, like ATVing and mountain biking, safeguarding the right to ride requires a dedicated effort from the BCHBC. The organization further honors the legacy of horsemanship in Canada through their educational initiatives and “Leave No Trace” policy.
Why Kevan supports the BCHBC…
Over the past twenty-five years, Kevan Bracewell has resolutely worked towards the creation of sustainable land management plans throughout the Bridge River Valley watershed. As policies for public lands and parks are being considered, Kevan Bracewell works hard to ensure that traditional activities, like horseback riding, are not excluded from policy-makers’ deliberations. Having invested greatly in these advocacy activities over the past twenty-five years, he understands the dedication it takes to fight for the well-being and balanced use of the wilderness in the midst of so many competing interests. Kevan Bracewell values the public service that the Back Country Horsemen of British Columbia provide and aims to support the individuals who give freely of their time to care for public lands and promote responsible, shared use of BC trails.
How Kevan contributes to the BCHBC…
Kevan Bracewell provides an annual donation to the BCHBC’s Rendezvous event, which raises funds to support further work and advocacy for the right to ride by the BCHBC. In 2015 Kevan Bracewell donated a 3-night guided horse pack trip for five riders through the South Chilcotin Mountains in BC, which was worth $1500. This donated trip trained BCHBC members in the trails and riding procedures for the South Chilcotin Mountains, empowering them to share this BC wilderness with other BCHBC riders on future trips. Again in 2016, Kevan Bracewell provided a 4-day guided pack trip to Eldorado Mountain, which included all meals, accommodations, and horseback riding, with a value of $1450. Kevan continues to support the BCHBC with ongoing online auction donations of cabin use to faciliate independence and self-sufficiency of BCHBC members in the back country.
These donations do more than raise money for the BCHBC. They create an affordable way for horseback riding enthusiasts and committed caretakers of the land to experience riding through the South Chilcotin Mountains- a dream come true for these equestrian adventurers.
Next steps…
The BCHBC is an active organization, continually taking on new projects and pursuing additional ways to promote responsible management of public trails and lands. To learn more about the organization and its current projects, click here.
Learn more about Kevan Bracewell’s work:
Chilcotin Holidays, Wilderness Stewardship Foundation, Stewardship Foundation, Trails to Empowerment, Chilcotin Ark Institute, Wilderness Training Academy, Community Mill