Wounded Veterans To Benefit From River-Based Recreation Activities in Utah
A renewed partnership between Move United and The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah State Office will provide river-based recreational activities for wounded military veterans on lands and waterways administered by the agency in the state.
Move United member organizations that offer rafting and paddling sports as part of their regular activities will be able to apply for permits to the San Juan, Westwater and Desolation rivers. These permits are highly sought after and competitive, so the memorandum of understanding (MOU) provides exclusive access that ensures our nation’s wounded warfighters have access to America’s public lands and waterways.
“The partnership with the Bureau of Land Management provides important support to our member organizations serving Veterans with disabilities,” said Move United Executive Director Glenn Merry. “Without the preferred access to permits, it can be harder to plan for the additional resources needed to serve these members of our community. The BLM is helping to ensure Veterans are not left on the sidelines when it comes to outdoor recreation, and changing the narrative around who can access the wilderness.”
Move United, the national leader in community-based sports and recreation for individuals with disabilities, has had an MOU with the Utah BLM since 2011, benefitting an average of 50 Veterans annually through six river permits on the San Juan, Westwater and Desolation rivers in Utah. The river permits allow Move United member organizations to run rafting and paddling experiences for Veterans with disabilities on these stretches of river. This renewal will secure continued access into a second decade to America’s great outdoors for Veterans with disabilities.
The BLM manages more land, over 245 million acres, than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
The demand for outdoor adventure and recreation activities for persons with disabilities continues to grow, and innovations in equipment and expanded access are constantly expanding the possibilities for enjoyable, healthy, active, outdoor experiences. Additionally, Veterans with disabilities also enjoy challenging outdoor activities to aid in their recovery. Participation in outdoor recreation activities is proven to enhance persons with disabilities’ self-confidence, physical and mental well-being, and quality of life.
To learn more about sports and recreational opportunities for wounded veterans, visit moveunitedsport.org/get-involved/warfighters. Organizations interested in utilizing the permits should contact Julia Ray at jray@moveunitedsport.org.
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