TreadLightly

14 days left for applications...!! We want to know how you'd spend some stewardship money!

Hey guys! So our 4th Annual Tread Lightly! Charity Auction is now live on eBay. We’ve got about 150 items from 50 companies that will be auctioned with bids starting at 40% to 75% percent off retail prices. 100% of the money raised will go to help keep off-road trails and the great outdoors healthy and open to the public.

Here are a FEW featured items up for auction right now:

Yamaha Grizzly 550 Fl 4X4 ATV

2011 John Deere Gator XUV 625i 4x4 Utility Vehicle

Talon 18 SR Winch from Superwinch

Hunting Apparel & Gear from Browning

Set of C Series Type 7 UTV Wheels from ITP

Winter Gear and Backcountry Pack from HMK

Neoprene Dust Filter Riding Masks from Rz Mask

Racing Apparel and Accessories from Moose Racing

The MoJavi Saddlebag from Giant Loop

$100 Gift Cards from Trail Tech

Lexx Mxe Slip-On Silencer from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

Handlebars and Handguards from Renthal

2-Cycle Exhaust Stealth Kit from dB Snorkel

Vortek T7 Dimension Helmet from EVS Sports

UNO UTV Gun & Bow Rack from All Rite Products

LEAD-DOG Helmet Light from Helmetlight

Flo-Vent Kit from Fastlane

Flywheel Puller Tools from Dennis Stubblefield Sales Inc.

Check out the entire auction and help out our important cause right here.

Auction opens November 1st! Stay tuned for the announcement including a list of all the other amazing items available!!!

Warn has generously donated a new Warn VR8000 winch for our SEMA "Friend of Tread Lightly!" promotion!!! You know you want to win, so...

Here's how this works:

Sign up to be a "Friend" of Tread Lightly! between now and the last day of the SEMA trade show in Las Vegas (Nov 1 to Nov 4), either by stopping by our booth (38053), scanning the QR code on the poster below, or going to our "Friend" page Tread Lightly - Become a Friend of Tread Lightly! and signing up. By becoming our friend, you'll receive periodic emails about TL! and our efforts encourage responsible use and stewardship.

On November 5th, we will announce the winner. Only those who sign up as Friends between now and the 4th are qualified.

That's it, That's all. Thanks for your support

The Fall/Winter 2011/2012 Tread Lightly! Trails Newsletter is now available for viewing and download!

In this issue, we talk about:

-Ebay Charity Auction

-The new "Ride On" Campaign

-Statewide Utah Education Campaign

-Our new partners and members

http://www.treadlightly.org/files/news/newsletter/Fall%20&%20Winter%202011-2012%20Trails%20Newsletter.pdf

Our ad intended for our military servicemen and service women...

Thank you for your service.

Good Deal + Good Cause Alert: Tread Lightly! will be auctioning off two brand new vehicles: A Yamaha Grizzly 550 FI 4x4 and a John Deere Gator XUV 625i 4x4 that can be delivered straight to your local authorized dealer for free. They'll be auctioned on eBay starting November 1st, and bidding will start pretty low-probably around $5,999 for the Grizzly and $6,999 for the Gator.

So if you're in the market for either of these vehicles, don't miss this opportunity to not only purchase an excellent ride, but also make a significant difference in keeping trails and off-road areas healthy and open to the public. 100% of the purchase price will go straight to Tread Lightly! and its important cause. You'll be getting double your money's worth. More info is here: Tread Lightly - Charity Auction

Links to view the vehicle models-

Yamaha Grizzly: 2012 Yamaha Grizzly 550 FI Auto. 4x4 Home, information

John Deere: John*Deere 625i Crossover Utility Vehicles Gator Utility Vehicles JohnDeere.com

Tread Lightly! Stewardship Grant Program

Tread Lightly! recognizes that one of the best ways to promote responsible outdoor recreation is to get recreational enthusiasts involved in the stewardship of their favorite recreational areas. Tread Lightly!’s Stewardship Grants are designed to help individuals and clubs organize clean-ups, trail maintenance work days and other small stewardship projects. The maximum grant amount is $500, and those funds can be used to rent equipment or purchase supplies like garbage bags, water, or snacks for volunteers, etc.

Who is eligible?

You must be a Tread Lightly! member club or Three-Year Individual Member to apply. All other membership categories are not eligible.

Tread Lightly! Member Clubs and Three-Year Individual Members.

How much grant money can an applicant receive?

The maximum grant award is $500.

When are grant applications due?

Grant applications and all supporting material are due by 8:00am mountain time Thursday November 24th, 2011.

What do I need for my application?

Applicants must submit an online grant application, a letter of support from a representative of the land management agency or land owner and, if applicable, any additional documentation including photos of the area.

Where should I send supplemental documentation for this grant?

Your letter of support and additional documentation can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to 298 24th Street, Suite 325, Ogden UT 84401.

When should my project or event be completed?

Projects can start anytime after December 1, 2011. For this grant cycle, all projects or events must be completed and final reports submitted by April 30, 2012.

If I am awarded a grant, when should I expect funding to be released?

Tread Lightly! will provide fifty percent of the grant award up front. The final payment will be issued upon receipt of a complete project report and other requested documentation.

Tread Lightly - Stewardship Grants

A lot of LHC has been closed due to travel management plans, as well as a couple routes that have been started but not opened to the public to date.

This is a great opportunity to show both the local residents and the Boulder Ranger District how much the OHV community does for volunteer efforts on our public lands.

Date: Sat Oct 1st

Time: 9:00 - 1:00pm

Location: Lefthand OHV area. 4.6 miles up Lefthand Canyon Dr. from the intersection with Hwy 36. Parking is along the main road (both before and after the OHV area entrance)

Moe's Bagels, coffee, juice, and other drinks provided

Bring work gloves and sturdy work boots.

Map/info on the area: Stay The Trail Colorado - View Trail System - Lefthand Canyon

Caribou, Maine

Description:

When:

Sunday, October 23

Time:

8:00am - 5:00pm

Location:

Caribou Wellness & Recreation Ctr

55 Bennett Dr.

Caribou, Maine

To register for this course, please email Steve Salisbury at [email protected] or call (207) 841-8434.

Course Date: 10/23/2011

Course Location: Caribou, Maine

Registration Open: Open until full or Oct. 16

Course Cost: $25.00

Course Size: 25

Seats Remaining: 24

For more information: Tread Lightly - Trainer Courses

REGISTRATION DEADLINE - SEPTEMBER 12TH. THAT'S TOMORROW!!!

This is a great way to help us as a community spread the Tread Lightly! ethic throughout, promoting responsible recreation as a proactive step towards maintaining our access on public lands.

Nice article out of the Aspen Times!

Down and dirty: Motorized users step up environmental work | AspenTimes.com

Down and dirty: Motorized users step up environmental work

Amanda Charles

Special to the Aspen Times Weekly

Aspen, CO Colorado

BASALT — The morning air was crisp; the sun peaking its way through the mountain tops when I arrived at the Basalt Mountain parking lot just before 8:30 a.m. on the last Sunday in August. A group of 20 to 25 people huddled under a tent just before the trailhead, enjoying coffee and bagels as they discussed the day-long project ahead. In a little less than 10 minutes, they would be suited up in full gear on their “machines” to hit one of their favorite trails — only this time with an intention beyond just getting dirty.

The smell of the single-track trail more than two miles past the parking lot was that of algae in a stagnant pond in the dead of summer. The early morning gave way to heavy heat, leaving the cottonwood sticking to the backs of knees as riders parked their bikes and led the group through narrow tree passages, rock and debris until reaching the muddy stream crossing.

Flies and mosquitoes hovered as the group dug and lifted heavy rocks and branches from the banks on the side before placing them like a bridge over the crossing. With seven hours to go, the enthusiasm ran high as the group connected over a common effort to preserve a favorite trail for the interest of multi-recreational use.

Lending a hand

In partnership with the Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) and cooperation with Mount Sopris District Recreation Ranger Jon Thompson, the Colorado Backcountry Trailriders Alliance (CBTRA) volunteered to repair a damaged trail on the lower north fork of Cattle Creek.

“What we're doing today is armoring back a damaged stream on the upper creek crossing so that it has enough paving to facilitate multi-use, including dirt bikes and horses,” said RFOV Executive Director David Hamilton, whose organization works closely with multi-user groups to maintain trails in the White River National Forest.

“This is the first project we have worked on with the CBTRA,” he said. “We are surprised with the large turnout.”

Hamilton wasn't the only one who came ready to work. Mountain bikers, dirt bikers and hikers alike convened at the stream with gloves, picks, rock bars and CamelBaks as they filled in eroded areas and gathered rocks to create a solid bridge crossing.

“I am supportive of the CBTRA's efforts to maintain the trails,” said Glenwood Springs mountain biker Greg Wetzel. “Many different users enjoy these trails including myself. If I'm riding them, I might as well work on them, too.”

Bringing motorized to the table

Since its start-up in 2002, the CBTRA, headed by President Mike Thuiller of KTM in Carbondale and Vice President Traci Schalow, have initiated efforts to not only preserve the use of motor bikes within the White River National Forest and BLM lands, but educate riders and other users on trail sustainability, stewardship and personal responsibility.

Thuiller, who's tall, thin and subdued appearance doesn't do justice for his 40-plus years of dirt biking in the valley, including mechanical engineering and welding expertise, pairs perfectly with Schalow, his energetic 5-foot counterpart who is not only a role model for women who ride, but the primary event coordinator.

“One of our biggest concerns today is the decommissioning of trails outlined in the Forest Service Travel Management Plan,” said Schalow, who also works closely with White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams and district ranger Jon Thompson to assess trails in the interests of multi-users.

Currently, forest rules allow for 800 miles of single-track riding to mountain bikers. Compared with that, only 56 miles of single-track riding are made available to dirt bikers. According to Schalow, the discrepancy came from supervisors being unaware of the interests of motorbike users.

“I think previous supervisors held the notion that dirt bikers enjoy riding on double-track (four-wheeler and jeep roads). While some do, most of us prefer the single-track because of the challenge and remoteness it offers … so we can't help but feel a bit slighted with only 56 miles of single-track available to us,” she said.

Motorized users as a whole have been the most alienated of user groups, mostly due to a reputation — right or wrong — that their engines create more damage. Historically, they have also been given the smallest voice among user groups when the Forest Service has asked for feedback on management plans.

According to Thompson, with more representation in recent years, the motorized groups should see more usage in the forests.

“The TMP (Travel Management Plan) has been in the works for 12 years now and is dynamic when it comes to revision,” he said, explaining the need to balance recreation needs with conservation needs.

“It seems Fitzwilliams has recognized that our user group has been underserved in past years,” said officer of Rocky Mountain Sport Riders (RMSR) Spencer Ball, who rode his dirt bike from Gypsum to help out in the day's project. “With his direction, we are working hard to bridge the gap in communication between groups while teaching fellow riders proper etiquette.”

Combining interests

Since its founding in the spring of 2010, the RMSR has adopted 125 riders and 50 permanent members, from Summit County to Rifle — most of which lies within the White River National Forest's footprint.

Politics aside, the collaborative day-project shed light on group initiatives beyond the simple promotion of the dirt biking sport; after all, a motor bike could easily pass over the damaged rocky stream on the upper creek crossing.

Thuiller and Schalow's efforts with the RFOV demonstrated their support for multi-recreational use and, as Schalow recalled, “most of us who ride also mountain bike and hike, that's why coming together really helps.”

“If there is one common denominator amongst all groups, it would be conservation,” Thompson said, “I think we can all agree on that.”

Dirt etiquette and safety points

“The majority of us riders are considerate,” Rocky Mountain Sport Riders officer Spencer Ball said with regard to multi-recreational use. “But all it takes is for one rider who isn't familiar with the rules to give us all a bad rap.”

According to the CBTRA and RMSR, those who ride should remember these rules and safety tips:

1. Riding uphill on a dirt bike, specifically with a motor under your butt, doesn't mean you have the right away.

2. Share the trail by moving to the side for hikers and mountain bikers.

3. Motor bikes have the potential to scare horses. When you see a person on a horse, be courteous and turn your motor off.

4. In order to prevent deep ruts, trail cutting and off-trail excursions, stick to the trails and don't ride when the terrain is wet.

5. Always wear proper riding gear, including: helmet, boots, padded pants, chest and shoulder protectors, gloves and goggles.

6. When possible, ride with a partner or group to prevent getting stuck out in the backcountry alone without help.

7. Bring lots of water on the trails to prevent exhaustion; riding a dirt bike is an intense workout and you don't want to become dehydrated.

8. Make sure to perform a pre-check of your bike by topping off fluids, checking the tires and brakes, because breaking down miles from home isn't fun.

9. Bring a tool pack that can dissemble the primary parts of the bike if something goes wrong.

10. If you are going backcountry, it is safe to bring a day's worth of camping gear in case you break down and have to spend the night.

11. Consider investing in a GPS because many of the trails aren't marked, which means getting lost is easy.

12. The last thing you want to have happen is to run out of gas, so it is essential to know your bike and mileage limitations.

13. Most importantly, don't dare go out on the trails without first registering your bike.

No one wants to lose opportunities to enjoy our public lands and there are no easy fixes to the problems associated with outdoor recreation, but there are solutions—which is where Tread Lightly! comes in.

Our goal is to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to maintain a healthy environment and Tread Lightly!’s leading the way to help remedy current and future recreation issues. The program is positive and something in which all who are involved can be proud of, but we need your support.

Combined Federal Campaign

Federal employees can designate Tread Lightly!, #10000 in the CFC, for workplace giving.

Where does your money go?

Restoration for Recreation

Give to a region of your choice and help rescue and enhance your favorite recreation areas. Efforts will be directed toward reducing the impacts from continuing use, rehabilitating problem areas, improving the quality of recreational experiences and educating the public on outdoor ethics. Tread Lightly! leverages its Federal Partners to acquire matching funds in an effort to make your donation go as far as possible.

Education/Communications

With your generous tax-deductible donation, Tread Lightly! can achieve its mission to proactively protect recreation access and opportunities in the outdoors through ethics education and stewardship initiatives. Your donation will help us educate the public through critical educational materials, school curriculums, website features, events, teaching tools and print, broadcast, web and radio public service announcements.

THANK YOU :thumb:

For more information: Tread Lightly - Donate

NOHVCC, Bloomington, MN

Description:

Where: Bloomington, MN

When: Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Location:

Park Plaza Hotel

4460 W 78th St. Circle

Bloominton, MN 55435

952-831-3131

Registration Deadline: Sept. 12, 2011

Course Date: 09/21/2011

Course Location: Bloomington, Minnesota

Registration Open: Deadline--Sept. 12, 2011

Course Cost: $50.00

Course Size: 25

Seats Remaining: 25

To register: Tread Lightly - Trainer Courses

Property taxes? Definitely outside the scope of our marketing program...

Good discussion here guys, and we appreciate your continued support of respecting access on both public and private lands!

Wow In Colorado We have tons of public land to ride on !!! In my 40+ years of riding I`ve never had a issue with a land owner But I have run into the 10% of asses that make it bad for us !! And MOST of them were kids 25 and under !!

The above article is not the first incident i've heard of, including Colorado... unfortunately.

Again, this is one of the reasons that ALL public land users need to be respectful of each other. Vengeful tactics like that do no good for anyone, and should not be tolerated by any of the outdoor communities.

With all do respect, I have read these and I find them to be non-effective, I had to look over them to really understand the point, to me, these have no value. But all the best to you and your group.

Appreciate the support, and the constructive criticism. I did get a similar comment from another forum as well, and we will re-examine when we do another round.

Here is a preview of our Respected Access is Open Access campaign PSAs that were recently released. The Respected Access campaign focuses on other issues on public lands such as recreational shooting, private land access, invasive species, and so on.

Just like with the Ride On materials, if your club or agency would like to use these as part of your outreach, please contact us: [email protected]

Thanks again for your help.

In response to the recent (well... 2005) change from "routes open unless closed" to "routes closed unless designated open" on USFS routes, as well as many BLM travel management plans being revised, we at Tread Lightly! have launched a new campaign to encourage the use of designated trails only.

Please, as you're heading out, verify that the routes you intend to take are a) open, and b) open to your type of vehicle. For USFS-managed lands, that includes the use of a Motor Vehicle Use Map. On BLM, currently many field offices are still using on-the-ground signage as well as Travel Maps. Many local resources are available to help pin-point those routes, nationwide.

The expectation of using designated routes and areas extends across all forms of motorized recreation, from dirt bikes to Subarus and dune buggies to crawlers. Additional information concerning camping regulations, hunting, and seasonal designations can often be found with those maps.

A view at our new Public Service Announcement advertisements:

If your club or agency would like to use these posters/graphics as part of your outreach, please contact us. [email protected]

Thank you for being a part of keeping our public lands open to public uses

Tread Lightly! Stewardship Grant Program

Tread Lightly! recognizes that one of the best ways to promote responsible outdoor recreation is to get recreationists involved in the stewardship of their favorite recreational areas. Tread Lightly!’s Stewardship Grants are designed to help individuals and clubs organize clean-ups, trail maintenance work days and other small stewardship projects. The maximum grant amount is $500, and those funds can be used to rent equipment or purchase supplies like garbage bags, water, or snacks for volunteers, etc.

Who is eligible?

You must be a Tread Lightly! member club or Three-Year Individual Member to apply. All other membership catatorgies are not eligible.

Tread Lightly! Member Clubs and Three-Year Individual Members.

How much grant money can an applicant receive?

The maximum grant award is $500.

When are grant applications due?

Grant applications and all supporting material are due by 8:00am mountain time Thursday, August 18, 2011.

What do I need for my application?

Applicants must submit an online grant application, a letter of support from a representative of the land management agency or land owner and, if applicable, any additional documentation including photos of the area.

Where should I send supplemental documentation for this grant?

Your letter of support and additional documentation can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to 298 24th Street, Suite 325, Ogden UT 84401.

When should my project or event be completed?

Projects can start anytime after September 1, 2011. For this grant cycle, all projects or events must be completed and final reports submitted by December 30, 2011.

If I am awarded a grant, when should I expect funding to be released?

Tread Lightly! will provide fifty percent of the grant award up front. The final payment will be issued upon receipt of a complete project report and other requested documentation.

Tread Lightly - Stewardship Grants

Nice answers so far!

Sounds like a few of you started as a family activity... I assume you've worked to pass that passion on to your kids?

Forest Service News Release:

Kaibab and Coconino National Forests Seek OHV Ambassadors

WILLIAMS, Ariz. – The Kaibab and Coconino national forests in northern Arizona are seeking volunteers to promote responsible off-highway vehicle recreation as part of the Arizona OHV Ambassador program.

OHV Ambassadors contribute their time, experience and local knowledge by working cooperatively with Arizona land managers to:

• Monitor and maintain motorized areas, roads, trails and facilities

• Provide a recognizable presence on public lands

• Model appropriate riding behavior

• Provide educational and informative material to the public

Prior to beginning their service, volunteers receive extensive training. The statewide OHV Ambassador program was developed through the joint efforts of Arizona State Parks, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, and interested user groups. The agencies and volunteers that comprise the program are dedicated to enhancing motorized recreation opportunities and management in Arizona.

“This program provides a great opportunity for OHV enthusiasts to get to do the activities they enjoy out in the forest while also having a positive impact by monitoring OHV use and educating the public,” said Christa Osborn, a recreation specialist on Kaibab National Forest. “We encourage people to volunteer if they are interested in making a difference on the forests of northern Arizona.”

To learn more about becoming an OHV Ambassador and to apply to the program, please visit http://www.azstateparks.com/ohv/ambassadors

The deadline for applications to the Kaibab and Coconino national forests OHV Ambassador program is Aug. 19.

For additional information, please contact OHV Ambassador program administrator Marge Dwyer at (480) 794-0316, [email protected]

Good evening friends!

Decided to step it into a new direction this week. Instead of a tip of the week, we'd like to know the answer to a simple (potentially) question.

Why do you ride or wheel? Lets hear it. Where did you start? Who hooked you? Etc, etc.

dba Limits are pointless IMO We don`t build our quads so we can choke the power out by plugging up the exhaust:yes: It boils down to $$$$$ My Vemon exhaust is at 96dbls but thats still loud by Colorado law They should spend their time and $$ workin on safety for the riders:yes: Make a helmet law for insteance JMOI

I agree I wonder were my V sits I haven't tested it yet o well I am sure I'll find out when I get my first forestry ticket.

If you're at 96dBa in Colorado, then you are within the limit. Its 99dBa for machines built Jan 1, 1998 and older.

You both are fortunate to have lots of sound-testing resources available around the state. COHVCO received a grant a couple years back to train and provide sound meters for clubs and land managers to be able to do educational sound testing. You also have the roaming staff at Stay The Trail who can provide that as well (I know Sam was at the Sand Dunes over Memorial Day, and I personally have tested hundreds of machines statewide since 2008). Most of the land managers i've spoken with in Colorado are still more concerned about the education side of it, except when its a blatant disregard for the regulation or combined with other violations.

You can see more info about the sound regulations and testing on their website at Stay The Trail Colorado - Home