Alabama Hills Stewardship Summary 

In November of 2006, the BLM Central California Resource Advisory Committee met in Lone Pine and encouraged local leaders to work with BLM to frame a community strategy to maintain the character of the Alabama Hills.  Since that time, a number of meetings sponsored by the community have occurred.  A summary of the actions to date are as follows:

 - The community developed a list of the things they liked and appreciated about the hills and also a list of areas where they thought the management of the area could be improved.

 - This exercise helped the community in developing and writing the Alabama Hills Vision Statement.  The vision statement is being used to assist the community and BLM in managing the hills and also consider new proposals.  The first Alabama Hills pilot wedding is an example.

 - The BLM presented to the community a summary of actions proposed for the Alabama Hills contained in the BLM Bishop Resource Management Plan.  From the actions proposed, the community selected the top three areas they wanted to begin work on.  They are: 

1. Develop a visitor services program for the Alabama Hills to reduce vandalism and trash.
2. Develop an interpretive program to address geologic and recreational values for the Alabama Hills.
3. Limit vehicle use to designated roads and trails. 

- Based on this direction, the following actions or projects have been initiated: 

1. Alabama Hills Information Kiosk area has been cleaned up.  Picnic area was developed and a table placed there for public use.  A new sign directing visitors to the area has been ordered. Pavement will be improved this spring.
2. A “Don’t Crush the Brush” campaign and button have been initiated.
3. An Alabama Hills Community Spirit Day was held to clean up the hills before the film festival. McDonalds provided breakfast. A T-shirt with “Alabama Hills Steward” printed on it was handed out to the 25 volunteers in attendance.
4. A Movie Road Tour brochure was produced.  The community has received a small grant to print the brochure.   A donation of $2.00 dollars will be requested to help with reprinting.
5. Graffiti was removed on the Tuttle Creek road. BLM now has a water hauler which can be used to remove graffiti in the future.

6. A field trip was held to review the vehicle routes in the Movie Road area. Work will begin this winter on the restoration of routes agreed to at the last stewardship meeting.
7. BLM, together with Healthy Communities, constructed a trail into the Arch. Signing has been completed and a brochure is being developed.
8. A photo monitoring program has been established. This will help the community to maintain the scenic values of the area.
9. An Alabama Hills Steward is patrolling the hills!!! 

Have we forgotten anything?