Thirty Pairs of Atlas Snowshoes to be Purchased by Lassen Land & Trails Trust

A spokesman for the Lassen County California Board of Supervisors recently announced the Lassen Land and Trails Trust received funding of more than $3,000 to purchase 30 pairs of snowshoes for after-school education purposes. The snowshoes are allocated for use by the residents of Lassen County on snow shoe hikes that are planned to be led by experts from the Lassen National Forest. Local merchants have agreed to provide Atlas Snowshoes at a cost of $120 a pair, with a total price tag of $3,600 for all 30 pairs of Atlas Snowshoes.

The spokesman added that recreational planners and Lassen County school district officials intend to inspire residents and students with hands-on experience of what working in the outdoors is all about. Programs are scheduled to promote exercise by leading hikes along with experts from the Bureau of Land Management and the city of Susanville during the day and at night to view star constellations. Education programs for children will teach them about winter survival skills. Title III funds were used for the purchase of the snowshoes. The spokesman said the snowshoes will be used in several locations, including the Bizz Johnson Trail, Eagle Lake Basin and groomed trails in the National Forest. Forest Service officials are planning to publish a schedule of snowshoe walks for the winter 2005-2006 season.

Supervisor Lloyd Keefer stated that after-school education meets the criteria of the Title III funding program, which sets aside money for after-school environmental education programs and other county projects such as fire prevention, planning and emergency services. The funding comes from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000, written to compensate counties and schools for declining timber revenues.