The Dixon Water Foundation announces the closing of the walking/running trail on its Mimms Unit pending review and development of a new public access policy.
For almost ten years the first two miles of the main road into the Mimms Unit of Dixon Ranches has been open for the public to use as a hiking and running trail during daylight hours. Along the public access section of the road, the Foundation has installed signage to interpret the importance of prairie ecosystems and the role of livestock grazing in maintaining those ecosystems.
Over the past year the amount of unauthorized use of the property outside the open-access road has increased to the detriment of the land, cattle and wildlife of the ranch. “We regret closing the road to public use” said Robert J. Potts, President of The Dixon Water Foundation. “We know that there are many responsible users of the trail that really enjoy the opportunity to be on the ranch and respect the rules of access. Unfortunately, there are also too many people who are disrespectful of the rules, the land and even our employees.”
During this public access review period, The Dixon Water Foundation will continue to provide access to groups interested in desert grasslands and the role of livestock grazing in maintaining and improving those grasslands. For more information or to arrange for group access contact Philip Boyd pboyd@dixonwater.org.
