On July 16, 2015, the Uinta Basin Back Country Horsemen were honored with the UServeUtah Power of Service Award for their exceptional commitment to community service. The award was presented by Lt. Governor Spencer Cox, UServeUtah Commission Chair Chris Bray, and UServeUtah Director LaDawn Stoddard during the Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism’s bi-monthly meeting. Gordon Hirschi, the organization’s Public Lands Coordinator and Trail Boss, accepted the award alongside his son, Nathan Hirschi, who also volunteers with the group.
The Uinta Basin Back Country Horsemen are a volunteer group dedicated to preserving and maintaining trails throughout the Uinta Basin. With 30 members contributing around 850 volunteer hours each year, they’ve made a significant impact on their local environment. In 2014 alone, they cleared trails at Musket Shot Springs, Doc’s Beach, The Chicken Coop, and the Sounds of Silence Hiking Trail at Dinosaur National Monument. They also adopted the Home Mountain Trail, where they contributed over 200 hours widening paths and trimming overgrowth to make the trail accessible.
Beyond their trail work, the group has also raised over $100,000 for the Children’s Justice Center in Vernal, further demonstrating their deep commitment to the community.
“The Uinta Basin Back Country Horsemen are dedicated to preserving the environment and making the trails in their area accessible,” said LaDawn Stoddard, UServeUtah Director. “Their dedication to serving the Uinta Basin is commendable, and we are thrilled to honor them with the Power of Service Award.”
The Uinta Basin Back Country Horsemen exemplify the power of volunteerism, combining their love of horseback riding with a passion for improving and preserving their community.