BCHA Double Diamond Award

The Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA) National Board established this special annual award in 2003. This award is presented to BCHA chapters for exceptional volunteer projects and/or educational programs completed during the previous year. The efforts eligible for recognition can include, but not limited to, trail maintenance, trail construction, trailhead construction, educational programs, and youth programs.

Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA) will accept applications from any chapter/unit for a volunteer project or educational program that has been accomplished during the calendar year (Jan.1-Dec.31) immediately preceding the April National Board of Directors Meeting. All award applications shall be for a specific project or educational program, not for multiple projects or programs undertaken during the year. Multiple outings to accomplish a specific project are acceptable.

Read About our many Double Diamond Award Winners

Include a detailed description of what the project entailed and how it was accomplished from start to finish. Answer the questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how. Include any pictures (a maximum of eight photos) the committee can use in making its decision. Also include any additional support letters from the agency or private parties that were worked with on this project or program.
Applications must be submitted by email in Word or Adobe format with a maximum of four pages. (Digital format is preferred; however, a hard copy will be accepted if electronic options are not available to the nominator.

Applications must be received by March 20th of the current year either by email to: Volunteer@bcha.org

The BCHA Volunteer Hours Committee appointed by the National Chair of BCHA will decide the winner or winners. The award will be presented at the BCHA National Board Annual Banquet. For questions, please call 360-620-2802.

Thank you for the coming application!
BCHA Volunteer Hours Committee

Our Double Diamond Award Winners

Mother Load Unit (BCHC) Earns 2018 Double Diamond Award

2018 Double Diamond Award Pony Express trail Project Pony Express Trail Project Earns MLU the 2018 Double Diamond Award by Lucy Badenhoop 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, so BCHC-MLU partnered with the US Forest Service (Eldorado National Forest) and the California Division of the National Pony Express Association to restore 47 miles of alpine … Read More
Read More Mother Load Unit (BCHC) Earns 2018 Double Diamond Award

Territorial Riders BCHO Elk Lake Creek Trail Restoration RTP Grant Project

by Tim Lagasse – Please contact me with any questions –  territorialriders@bcho.org The Mt. Hood National Forest has some steep and rugged country, and Bull of the Woods Wilderness is probably some of the most rugged and isolated country in the Mt. Hood.  In addition, in 2010, a significantly sized, and very hot, forest fire burned out the center of … Read More
Read More Territorial Riders BCHO Elk Lake Creek Trail Restoration RTP Grant Project

2017 Winner of the Double Diamond Award

2017 Double Diamond Award Territorial Riders BCH of Oregon City, Oregon Eleven nominations for the Double Diamond Award were received. In reviewing the nominations, it was clear all the chapters that submitted nominations undertook very worthwhile projects. It was difficult for the committee to choose which nomination was most worthy of the award. After the scoring was completed, the Elk … Read More
Read More 2017 Winner of the Double Diamond Award

2014 Winner of the Double Diamond Award

The winner of the 2014 Double Diamond Award is the Beartooth Back Country Horsemen (BBCH)  of Montana. The Beartooth Back Country Horsemen of Montana (BBCH) members  won the the award for their efforts by spearheading the largest coalition of volunteers and government ever to open the Ernie Strum Trail––a trail to Lily Pad and Crater Lakes in Montana. Here is the full paper presented at the … Read More
Read More 2014 Winner of the Double Diamond Award

2013 Volunteer Hours Report & Double Diamond Award Recipient

The BCHA Volunteer Hours committee reports the total value of the volunteer effort reported in 2013 was $13,972,949.71 and the Harney Lookout Tower Preservation Project supported by Black Hills BCH was selected as this years recipient of the Double Diamond Award. The other finalists for the Double Diamond Award were the, Mesa Verde BCH (Colorado), Four Corners BCH (Colorado), San … Read More
Read More 2013 Volunteer Hours Report & Double Diamond Award Recipient

BCHA Announces 2012 Double Diamond Award Winners

The name “Back Country Horsemen” carries weight. They are some of the most highly respected horse folks in the US. That’s not surprising. Since 1973, they’ve been keeping trails open for horse use in a variety of ways, such as attending public land planning meetings, talking with legislators, working with governing agencies, and putting grunt labor to work maintaining trails. … Read More
Read More BCHA Announces 2012 Double Diamond Award Winners

2010 Winner of the Double Diamond Award

Congratulations to the winner of the 2010 Double Diamond Award BCH of Idaho member – Robbin Schindele BCH of Idaho member, Robbin Schindele, Emmett, Idaho, was presented the 2010 BCHA Double Diamond Award at the BCHA National Directors Meeting in Butte, Montana. His winning entry was the two trail safety posters. Both titled “What the Horse Sees”. Both posters emphasize trail … Read More
Read More 2010 Winner of the Double Diamond Award