To some, the fact that Brad Chilton is an avid dirt biker may seem at odds with his profound love for the wilderness-and his desire to see much of his treasured Boulder- White Clouds in central Idaho forever protected.
"I enjoy dirt bike riding," he will tell you, quickly adding, "and there are plenty of places I can ride-tons and tons, but we also need wilderness areas where we can have peace and quiet."
Chilton, a native Idahoan and owner of Scotts Ski & Sports in Pocatello, grew up in a family that valued the state's strikingly beautiful wild places. "Central Idaho was my family's playground for summer vacations," he says, recalling fond memories of hiking, camping, and fishing in the Redfish lake and Stanley Basin area.
It was actually his biking activities that got Brad involved in the movement for wilderness protection. Riding on designated trails in the nearby national forest, he began noticing that ATVs were going into areas that were off-limits, doing serious damage to the fragile land. "I tried to get the authorities to do something about it, but it was the weekend and I couldn't find anyone that would listen," he said. "It was very frustrating."
Around that time, he met John Schmidt, a former board member of the Idaho Conservation League and a dedicated environmentalist, who got Brad interested in what he could do personally to help protect public wild lands against off-roader abuse and other threats. After seeing presentations by members of this conservation group, Brad signed up. "I started writing letters to the editor of my newspaper, and contacting my representatives."
He's been working diligently ever since. "Brad has given a most valuable asset to the Boulder-White Clouds wilderness campaign-and one that's in short supply in our society-his time," says Linn Kincannon, Central Idaho Director of the Idaho Conservation League. "He has visited Washington D.C. twice to urge legislators to support the bill which would permanently protect these mountains. He has appeared in newspaper ads, written guest opinions and letters to the editor, and attended local political gatherings-all to support the passage of legislation to protect the first wilderness in Idaho in more than a generation." Kincannon adds, "We could use a lot more Brad Chiltons!"
Of his trips to the nation's capitol, Brad says they were "wonderful." The first one was a couple of years ago, before the bill was even introduced. "As a small business owner, I wanted to make the point to my representatives and other Members of Congress that our economy is very dependent on the revenue brought in by tourists who come to visit our beautiful backyard, as well as recreationists who help keep the cash registers of shops like mine ringing."
When he was asked about appearing in a print ad campaign sponsored by the Idaho Conservation League and the Campaign for America's Wilderness featuring local Idahoans who wanted to see the Boulder-White Clouds protected, Chilton readily agreed. "It's important to remind people that while we are fortunate to have this special place here in Idaho, it won't stay the way it is unless it is protected as wilderness. And also that liking to ride dirtbikes doesn't mean that you can't appreciate and support wilderness designation. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy both."
Another point Chilton makes in his ad (one in a series of three; to view them, visit http://www.commongroundid.org/) is that, "As businessmen, outdoor enthusiasts, and most importantly as Idahoans, we need to work together to protect pristine open spaces like the Boulder White Clouds. Because wilderness is about more than just protecting Idaho's special places-it's about creating possibilities for everyone."
Brad recently hiked seven 11,000-foot elevation peaks in Boulder-White Clouds, and is just back from a 14 mile, five-day backpacking trip with his wife and seven-year-old daughter. Where did they go? The beautiful Boulder-White Clouds, of course!
We salute Brad Chilton-an important voice for wilderness protection.
