July 16th is the anniversary of the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, a federal agency that collaborates with communities and other partners to help manage our public lands for multiple uses including conservation, commercial activities, and outdoor recreation.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Ukiah Bureau of Land Management, especially Rich Burns, the field manager for the BLM Ukiah Field Office, for working to protect our vibrant, active landscapes where folks live, work and play.

Many of us are grateful to live near the Berryessa Snow Mountain region, where there are many opportunities for outdoor adventure on our public lands managed by the BLM including camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, off-highway vehicle driving on designated routes, mountain biking, birding and wildlife viewing, photography, climbing, and visiting natural and cultural heritage sites.

These recreational opportunities and magnificent landscapes are vital to the quality of life enjoyed by locals, as well as national and international visitors.

Keep up the good work.

More information about the public lands in our region can be found at www.tuleyome.org and www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ukiah.html .

Sara Husby-Good is executive officer and campaign director for the organization Tuleyome, based in Woodland, Calif.