The public Organizational Meeting of the new Back Country Horsemen of North West Georgia (BCHNWG) will be held Thursday, May 12, at 7 p.m. at the Depot in Calhoun. The meeting will inform equestrians about trail opportunities and activities to protect and support trails. Those interested in preserving and enhancing trails open for equestrians are invited to join and support this chapter of the Back Country Horsemen.

The region served by the North West Georgia chapter contains approximately 252 miles of equestrian or passive shared-use public trials, or 42 percent of such trails within Georgia. These trails are managed by federal, state, or county agencies. The North West Georgia service area extends southward from the Tennessee border to parks and trail systems west and south of Atlanta, and eastward from the Alabama border to the western parts of the Cohutta mountains. Local service teams will support the following regions: Western Cohuttas, Chickamauga-Pigeon, Dry Creek-Pinhoti, and Metro.

The Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA) is a national organization dedicated to perpetuating the common sense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s back country and to assist land management agencies in their maintenance and management of equine-related trails and facilities. BCHA has over 13,000 members and organizations in 27 states. The Back Country Horsemen of Georgia (BCHGA) currently includes three BCH chapters: North, Northeast and Middle Georgia.

Persons interested in joining the North West Georgia chapter are encouraged to attend the May 12 meeting at the Depot in Calhoun. The Depot is on the west side of the railroad tracks, near the junction of U.S. 41 and Court Street, about two blocks west of the courthouse. Those unable to attend may obtain a membership application by contacting Larry Wheat at L.Wheat@mindspring.com (note period in name) or by calling 770-595-1913.

The Depot in Calhoun address is 109 South King Street, Calhoun, GA 30701.