My Public Lands

On June 21, 2014, the Bureau of Land Management’s Eastern States Office hosted more than 300 veterans and their families for an exciting day of recreational and educational activities at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area in Lorton, VA. The free, all-day event honored America’s Heroes and helped connect them to America’s public lands. The program was open to all veterans, active duty members, guardsmen, reservists and their families. 

Youngsters and hardened soldiers alike were delighted when Seymour Antelope made an appearance. You can never have too many friends! Pictured with Seymour from the left are BLM ES Acting State Director John Ruhs and BLM Deputy Director Steve Ellis. 

Seymour helped volunteers prepare for the event honoring America’s Heroes at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area. 

The day began with guided bird walks, interpretive nature hikes, trail riding and other programs designed to educate young people about the importance of good stewardship of our public lands. 

Caroline Seitz, Director of Reptiles Alive!, holds one of her special friends during a “show and tell” for attendees to this special event for military families. 

A young adventurer reaches new heights during the outing for military families. 

Activities also included pony rides for children, a rock climbing wall, hiking, fishing, archery instruction, a reptile show, and mountain biking on Meadowood’s 4.7 mile trail system. 

The Enchanted Pond was a busy place with young anglers landing catfish like this one. Members of Catch a Special Thrill were on site to give kids expert advice. CAST for Kids and Take a Warrior Fishing are two fishing programs for those with special needs. 

Many military families were in attendance during the day and participated in outdoor activities together. Learning how to release was as important a lesson as learning to catch. 

Young archers received safety instruction from U.S. Fish and Wildlife partners and learned proper technique before letting their arrows fly. 

In addition to the veterans event, the ESO conducted an onsite Wild Horse and Burro adoption allowing attendees to watch and learn about this important BLM program. For many, it was an opportunity to see wild horses and burros for the first time. 

A young equestrienne takes the reigns as she learns the finer points of horsemanship. 

BLM staff met with visitors to provide information not only about the BLM but also about federal programs, such as Operation Warfighter, that help veterans transition from military service to other federal careers. 

From left: Nancy Taylor and Pam McNeil, Office of Recruitment and Retention Programs, provided career information for those vets and active duty military who want to transition to careers in the Federal government. Those who visited the BLM careers exhibit were interested in fields such as Outdoor Rec Planning, Law Enforcement, Biology, and Business Administration. 

The ESO’s partners for the event included the Army Old Guard Caisson, Team River Runner, Catch A Special Thrill or CAST, USO, National Military Family Association, Lions International, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Virginia State Parks, Blue Star Families, Bass Pro Shops, Simple Changes, Boy Scouts of America, and Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors program. 

Members of the BLM ES team pose with leaders in the Sierra Club. Many other local partners’ organizations were instrumental in coordinating this successful event at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area. Pictured (left to right) are Tony Herrell, ES Associate State Director; Jon Beck, Lower Potomac Field Station (LPFS); Allison Chin (standing in front), former Sierra Club President; Steve Ellis, BLM Deputy Director; Dan Chu, Director of Sierra Club Wild Campaign; John Ruhs, BLM ES Acting State Director; John Reffit, Acting LPFS Manager; and Joshua Brandon, Sierra Club Military Outdoors. 

The BLM and Military Outdoors have established a national agreement to work together to provide opportunities for military veterans and their families to enjoy the public lands and benefit from the healing power offered by nature. 

Photos by Jennifer Stratton, BLM Eastern States