I am proud to announce The Black Hills 4 Wheelers (http://www.bh4wheelers.com/) as our latest Platinum sponsor of the Turn the Tide Tour. At their meeting tonight, I was presented with a check by Todd Zick their president (see picture) along with well wishes for success in rallying enthusiasts around the country.

Based in Rapid City, SD, the Black Hills 4 Wheelers has been around for even longer than the BlueRibbon Coalition. In fact, this year they are holding their 30th annual Dakota Territory Challenge here in the Black Hills August 30-September 3. Ask anyone who has attended and they will agree with me when I say their event is one of the premier events in the US. Wheelers from all over the country attend the Dakota Territory Challenge to try their rigs on the famous rock-crawling trails in the Black Hills. The event is honestly one of the most well organized events I have ever been to... top notch. I know because I have helped to put it on. The work they put in behind the scenes is incredible.

As a club, their influence and efforts with the Forest Service is second to none. They were one of the first clubs that got me into the land use arena in the first place. I served as their land use chair for many years. They continue to be a leader and innovator in all of their efforts. Funding from their events is consistently put back into land use efforts and the local community. I could go on for hours in heralding the work they do, but mostly I just want to say that I am proud to call them a member of the BlueRibbon Coalition.

Thank you to the Black Hills 4 Wheelers, not just for this sponsorship, but for understanding the importance of organized recreation's role in keeping access to our public lands open for responsible recreation. You are leaders!