As one of the RAF's State Liaisons (Colorado), I was fortunate enough to attend their Red Rock Roundup in St. George UT last week. This was a bi-annual gathering of the State Liaisons, Directors, Board members and dignitaries. Some of the highlights:
Colorado Liaison Patrick Romano gave an amazing presentation on his efforts to catalogue abandoned and backcountry strips in Colorado. You guys know Patrick, he is the author of "The Approach" articles here at BCP. If you haven't read them, you should.
AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker was in attendance and provided a presentation. The AOPA is fully behind our type of flying and very supportive of the RAF. Mark is the real deal, he joined us in a Thursday morning breakfast fly out to Marble Canyon, AZ. Flew his personal 185.
Pete Bunce, President and CEO of GAMA (General Aviation Manufacturers Association) gave several presentations. Pete is very excited about our type of flying and very supportive. An amazing guy!
Anthony Bobo, Acting Deputy Division Chief for BLM's National Landscape Conservation System. Anthony oversees the management of 878 Federally recognized areas encompassing 27 million acres. Anthony indicated that there are documents (MOU: Memorandum of Understanding, I believe was the term: I might have the title wrong) coming out of the BLM Legal Department soon that recognize and fully support backcountry flying!
Steve McCaughey, Executive Director of the Seaplane Pilots Association, gave a very moving presentation on his efforts to revitalize that organization. They have a number of projects in the works to deal with upcoming issues and advance water flying.
Bruce Morse, President, Morse Agency. Bruce was able to put together a program with a major underwriter to provide reasonable insurance rates for private airstrip owners. Very exciting!
The above are only a very brief highlight of the full activities. There were many other presentations worthy of mention. It was an amazing event.
Probably preaching to the choir here: If you haven't checked out the RAF, you should. It is an amazing group of volunteers. Check out their website and see the list of accomplishments that have occurred in a very short time. Especially their efforts in amending State RUS (Recreational Use Statutes) to add "aviation use" language to protect private property owners. 22 states to date, and many others in the process.
My hat is off to the Board and the Directors: Job very well done!

Thanks for the update Tom. That's good news on the BLM side.

I was there as well. Mr. Bobo was fantastic, as was the gentleman from the Forest Service. He came from DC too. They were frank and basically said agency personnel are not out to get aviation interests. They gave an insight into current USFS and BLM thinking and both also mentioned we are about to sign MOU's incorporating aviation into the national planning. Best news possible long term. We have a seat at the table.

Thank you for the report back, and thanks too for all your efforts in supporting the cause.

Great news! Thanks for the update. Also thank you for all your efforts. The RAF is a great organization.

Great news Tom, it's always an encouraging reminder to hear what the RAF is doing.

Thanks for being a volunteer yourself!