Cypress, CA (2/18/2014)
- Yamaha
Motor Corp., U.S.A., awarded more than $290,000
in 2013 through its Access Initiative providing
critical funding to OHV communities, riding
groups and land managers across the U.S. Yamaha
is the industry’s leader in Guaranteeing
Responsible Access to our Nation’s Trails
(GRANTs), supporting the program’s mission
of safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable
OHV access to trails and riding areas nationwide
since 2008.
Highlights from the 2013 GRANT year include:
- Yamaha’s Access Initiative was recognized for its achievements and contributions to the motorized recreation community with prestigious awards from American Trails and the National OHV Conservation Council.
- Twenty four projects were funded, bringing the OHV Access Initiative’s total to more than 215 and $2.3 million since its inception in 2008.
- To date, thirty eight states across the country boast GRANT-funded projects.
- Productive partnerships were forged and strengthened with national leadership in OHV recreation, land management and outdoor enthusiasts including Off Road Business Association, National FFA, Outdoor Life’s Open Country and Tread Lightly! to expand the message of responsible use and sustainable access for OHV riders.
- Yamaha employees personally took on the principles of the Access Initiative dedicating more than 300 man-hours in 2013 to trail and forest restoration efforts in the San Bernardino National Forest.
“The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative is expanding its vision to include conservation, land management and educational groups like the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and National Future Farmers of America,” said Mike Martinez, Yamaha ATV and SxS vice president. “These organizations are focused heavily on public land access, volunteerism, leadership and education, and Yamaha is in a position to help them -- alongside the core OHV enthusiasts -- in a meaningful way.”
As in previous funding cycles, the second half of 2013 saw projects submitted from the spectrum of OHV concerns and opportunities on public and private lands. Issues mitigated with Yamaha OHV Access Initiative funding included creating legal access from trail systems to nearby facilities and amenities, dust and erosion control systems, building new or replacing inadequate bridges over environmentally sensitive areas or fish-bearing waterways, and ensuring land managers and trail volunteers had the tools and materials necessary to keep trails safe and open and expand the riding opportunities in their areas. Yamaha GRANT recipients for the third and fourth quarters of 2013 include:
- Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan
- Egg Harbor Township Police Athletic League, New Jersey
- North Dakota Parks & Recreation Dept.
- Oregon Department of Forestry, Forest Grove District
- Oregon Department of Forestry, Tillamook District
- Ohio Motorized Trails Association
- San Juan Public Entry and Access Rights (SPEAR), Utah
- Straight Arrow Enduro Riders, Minnesota
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Thunder Mountain Wheelers, Colorado
- Tri-County ATV Recreation and Rescue, Pennsylvania
“Yamaha’s OHV Access Initiative made great strides in 2013 with two new states – Wyoming and North Dakota – receiving funding, and with that we are that much closer to having GRANT projects in all 50 states,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha ATV and SxS marketing manager. “We have taken a much more proactive stance in seeking out OHV access opportunities to fund and support and look forward to expanding our platform in 2014.”
The 2014 GRANT cycle calendar is available at www.yamahaohvaccess.com where riders, clubs and land managers can also find the current OHV Access Initiative GRANT application form and guidelines for submission. Yamaha continues to seek qualified projects and applications at local, state and federal levels. The next deadline to submit a GRANT application is Monday, March 31, 2014.
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About the Yamaha
OHV Access Initiative
Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from
non-profit or tax-exempt organizations including
OHV riding clubs and associations, national,
state and local public land use agencies and
other members of the OHV community in the United
States. A committee then reviews each application
and awards GRANTs to deserving projects.
Examples of appropriate projects for
GRANTs include, but are not limited to:
- Trail development,
restoration and maintenance
- Trail signage and
map production
- Staging area construction,
renovation and maintenance
- Land stewardship,
trail safety and education
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Updated guidelines, an
application form and information on the OHV
Access Initiative are available at: www.Yamaha-Motor.com/OHVAccess.
For specific questions about the OHV Access
Initiative, call Yamaha’s dedicated OHV
Access Initiative Hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL
(877-648-8724), email OHVAccess@yamaha-motor.com
or write to: Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Review
Committee, 6555 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA
90630-5101.
About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS) a leader
in the motorsports market, makes the toughest,
most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side
vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding
product offerings also include motorcycles,
outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles,
boats, outdoor power equipment, race kart engines,
accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products
are sold through a nationwide network of dealers
in the United States.
Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its
incorporation in 1976, Yamaha also has facilities
in Wisconsin and Georgia as well as factory
operations in Tennessee and Georgia. For more
information on Yamaha, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.
