Cypress, CA (4/15/2009)
- Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is contributing
more than $175,000 in cash and equipment this
first quarter of 2009 to ATV riding clubs, national
forests, law enforcement support groups and
other off-highway vehicle (OHV)-related organizations
across the country. This initial effort for
2009 is a continuation of Yamaha's OHV Access
Initiative, which has poured more than $875,000
into the OHV community since the beginning of
last year supporting its mission of promoting
safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable
riding areas.
In this first quarter funding cycle, Yamaha
GRANTs (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our
Nation's Trails) were awarded to 15 applicants
with compelling projects designed to improve
OHV experience locally, regionally and nationally.
Awardees include:
* Ashland Resource Area, Oregon
* ATV Off-road Club of Michigan
* Balsam Trailblazers ATV Club, Minnesota
* Burnett County Law Enforcement Citizens Auxiliary,
Wisconsin
* Colorado OHV Coalition Foundation
* Coalition of Recreational Trail Users, Minnesota
* Deschutes National Forest, Oregon
* Harlan County Ridge Runner ATV, Kentucky
* Knott County Trail Riders, Kentucky
* Leatherwood Fire & Rescue, Kentucky
* National OHV Conservation Council
* Northern Traxx ATV Club, Minnesota
* Oswego Valley ATV Club, New York
* Ride Safe Virginia
* Rock Run Recreation Area, Pennsylvania
"The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative has become
a vital resource for OHV
communities that are performing the on-the-ground
work needed to create and maintain safe and
responsible riding areas," said Mike Martinez,
Yamaha's general manager of ATV and Side-by-Side
Operations. "Yamaha has put more than $875,000
back into the OHV community through the OHV
Access Initiative over the past 15 months. Particularly
in this economic climate, these grass roots
organizations need help, and Yamaha is proud
to continue our support of the industry and
enthusiasts through these GRANTS."
The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative funds OHV access-related
projects that include, but are not limited to:
* Trail development, restoration and maintenance
* Trail signage, mapping and map production
* Staging area construction, renovation and
maintenance
* Responsible OHV riding education and outreach
* Land stewardship and education
* Legislative lobbying efforts
About the Yamaha
OHV Access Initiative
Each quarter, Yamaha accepts
applications from non-profit or tax-exempt organizations
including OHV riding clubs, national forests
and associations, and national, state and local
government agencies. A committee then reviews
each application and awards GRANTs to deserving
projects. Applications for the second quarter
of 2009 should be
postmarked by May 31, 2009.
Updated guidelines, an application form and
information on the OHV
Access Initiative are available at: www.yamaha-motor.com/ohvaccess.
For questions regarding the OHV Access Initiative,
groups can 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.
