Built by Ordinary People. Strengthened Through Extraordinary Challenges.

Twenty-five years ago, the American Sand Association was born out of necessity.

The founders of ASA were not lawyers, scientists, or policy experts. They were a butcher, a concrete placement contractor, and a motel operator— they were ordinary people who loved the dunes and were determined to protect them.

They knew how to ride, organize events, and bring people together. What they didn’t know much about were the Endangered Species Act, federal litigation, environmental policy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or the inner workings of the Bureau of Land Management.

Like any new organization, ASA learned as it went.

Mistakes were made. Hard lessons were learned. Looking back today, there are certainly things that could have been done differently. But it’s also important to remember what the organization was facing.

In 2000, approximately 49,300 acres of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area were closed. The dune community suddenly found itself confronting complex legal challenges, federal agencies, and well-established environmental organizations. It was a world that few enthusiasts had ever experienced.

At the time, many believed that simply presenting the available science and demonstrating the importance of recreation access would quickly lead to a solution. They soon discovered that protecting access to public lands would require far more than that.

Over the years, ASA educated itself, built relationships, developed expertise, and learned how to advocate effectively. Its legal representation evolved as well, and today ASA benefits from experienced environmental counsel and a deep understanding of the regulatory and legal processes that affect dune recreation.

Most importantly, ASA never gave up.

Through years of advocacy, litigation, public participation, monitoring, and persistence, roughly 40,000 acres were eventually reopened for recreation. That accomplishment did not happen overnight, and it did not happen by accident.

The work continues today.

Significant closures remain, and recreation access continues to face challenges through litigation, regulatory actions, and large-scale infrastructure proposals affecting heavily used riding areas. At the same time, ongoing monitoring and scientific study continue to contribute valuable information about the factors influencing dune ecosystems and species management.

That is why ASA’s mission remains as important today as it was when the organization was founded. The American Sand Association exists because ordinary dune enthusiasts chose to get involved, learn the issues, and stand up for the places they love.

ASA is always looking for dedicated volunteers, committee members, and future board leaders who are willing to help carry that mission forward. If you’ve ever considered becoming more involved, ASA welcomes the opportunity to talk with you.

Thank you for your continued support of the American Sand Association.

Because access doesn’t protect itself.

What would the dunes look like without ASA?

Submitted by Vince Brunasso, ASA Founder, and the ASA Board of Directors.

BLM Imperial Sand Dunes Website

Learn more about and JOIN ASA here.