ELCR Welcomes The Goethe Trail, Inc. as Equestrian Partner Number 100

The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource celebrates a new milestone in its Equestrian Partner program as it welcomes The Goethe Trail, Inc. to fill the much anticipated slot of Equestrian Partner No. 100.

The Goethe Trail, a nonprofit organization formed in 1996, assists the Florida Division of Forestry to maintain the extensive shared use trail system at Goethe State Forest in Levy County, Florida. The organization is dedicated to preserving Florida’s cultural heritage of having the first horse in what is now the continental United States, and wholeheartedly supports ELCR’s mission. Says founder Helen Koehler, “As a living part of Florida's history, the Horse is deserving of a place in its future. We are proud to support ELCR— we share the same goals and values.”

ELCR’s Equestrian Partner membership program serves important purposes above and beyond providing financial support to help ELCR disseminate land conservation information to horsemen across the country. In addition, it allows ELCR to build a network, or coalition, of horse-related organizations across the country that acknowledge the relationship between conserving land and preserving our equine heritage, and actively support and promote ELCR’s mission. Each of ELCR’s Equestrian Partners has made a philosophic and financial commitment to assist with educating and supporting horsemen on issues of land protection for horses.

The Equestrian Partners recognize that, regardless of breed, discipline or product specialty, the U.S. land development rate of 250 acres per hour jeopardizes the future of equestrian recreation, sport and lifestyle. Of the 100 Equestrian Partners, 30 serve to educate and advocate for equines and equestrians; 29 engage in recreational riding, driving and trail maintenance; 13 supply products and services for equines and equestrians; 12 are dedicated to horse breeds; 8 are involved in land conservation and stewardship; and 8 are devoted to equestrian competitions and disciplines.

ELCR President Georgiana Hubbard McCabe views having reached the 100 mark as a very positive sign: “The long fragmented horse world within the United States is slowly coming together to build a community of organizations that are concerned for the future of our beloved equine tradition. The addition of The Goethe Trail as the 100th

Equestrian Partner marks a symbolic watershed for ELCR, the only organization working nationally to save land for all horse activity, regardless of breed or discipline. The Equestrian Partner program networks its members through various means so that they can exchange ideas and anecdotes related to saving land for horses and horse-related activities. Even as we race the clock against encroaching sprawl and development, horse people are now turning to ELCR, educating themselves and taking action to protect and conserve for the long term future, the land that we will need to feed, raise, train and keep our horses.”

If your organization would like to join ELCR’s national efforts to save land for horses, visit www.elcr.org, or feel free to call the national office at (859) 455-8383 for more information.

For more information about The Goethe Trail, Inc., visit www.geocities.com/goetheforest/volunteer.html

Source: www.elcr.org