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Local Organization Helps Protect Public Lands

by KREX News Room
by John Dias

Story Created: Jul 30, 2012 at 6:21 AM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 30, 2012 at 8:13 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- They say age is nothing but a number, and one local group is hoping to prove it. For over 20 years these senior citizens have been trying to show they can participate in outdoor fun, while saving the environment along the way.

The Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a national group with a chapter in Grand Junction. The self-proclaimed "broads" come from all over, but they have one thing in common. They believe wild places should be protected for generations to come.

"We're educated, we’re just older,” said Jan Burch, member of the Great Old Broads for Wilderness. “But elders are wiser, so we expect them to take us seriously because we're after helping them and however it takes, we're doing it."

The local Grand Junction chapter, which has been around for nearly three years, focuses a lot of its attention on things like fracking and protecting the Clean Water Act.

"We spend a lot of time and attention on public lands issues,” said Burch. “We feel like a lot of people can't and don't even know what is going on."

The members work with organizations like the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Mountain Club and the Sierra Club, all in an effort to protect and preserve public lands for younger generations.

"We're not going to be here forever, but the kids, and their kids, and their kids, we would like to save some of the great things we've enjoyed through the years,” said Joyce Olson, member of the Great Old Broads for Wilderness. “They need to have it and they need to enjoy it."

The Grand Junction chapter is made up of over 40 members, and they say even fixing the smallest of the problems can still make a difference.

If you’re interested in getting involved, the group is hosting a “Women for Wilderness” event at Fraps and Wraps located at 150 Main St. in Grand Junction on Monday at 5 p.m.

Members add that even though they’re a bunch of “great old broads,” they don’t discriminate against men and younger generations, so everyone is welcome to join.

For more information on the group, click here.

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