Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Celebrates Five Years and 200 GRANTs
Program Awards More Than $375,000 in GRANTs in 2012 to Projects Supporting Safe, Responsible OHV Access to Trails and Open Riding Areas
CYPRESS, Calif. – February 13, 2013 – Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., announces the fifth anniversary of its OHV Access Initiative, the industry leader in Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation’s Trails (GRANTs). Launched in January, 2008, the program has aggressively funded the ever growing and diverse needs of the OHV community in support of its mission of promoting safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable access to riding areas. A few of the highlights of the past five years include:
- 200 GRANTs and more than $2 million in funding and equipment in pursuit of the program’s mission.
- GRANT-funded projects in 37 of our 50 states. The GRANT tracker map showcases the program’s cross-country appeal and highlights future opportunities for underrepresented areas.
- Yamaha employees have personally embraced the tenets of OHV Access Initiative, putting in more than 1,500 volunteer man-hours planting trees, clearing trails and supporting restoration efforts on company-adopted trails in the San Bernardino National Forest.
- A new address, www.yamahaohvaccess.com is where you can download our application and submission guidelines and find our calendar of deadlines.
“Yamaha is very proud of everything the OHV Access Initiative has accomplished throughout these five years, but the challenges before us remain,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha ATV and SxS marketing manager. “Yamaha will continue to focus on the OHV program’s mission and reach out to riding groups and other appropriate organizations to strengthen opportunities for motorized recreation today and in the future.”
As part of its on-going program, the OHV Access Initiative closed out the 2012 funding cycle awarding more than $76,000 in GRANTs in the fourth quarter bringing the year’s total to $375,000. The following organizations received GRANTs in Q4 2012:
- Johnson County, Tenn.
- Egg Harbor Township Police Athletic League, N.J.
- Great Falls Trail Bike Riders Association, Montana
- Straddleline ORV Park, Ore.
- Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT), N.Y.
- Western Shasta Resource Conservation District (WSRCD), Calif.
“New Jersey became the latest state with a GRANT-awarded project this quarter, bringing the OHV Access Initiative’s total to 37 states,” Nessl said. “This is a great achievement, but there’s more work to be done.”
Yamaha is actively seeking qualified projects at local, state and federal levels. The current OHV Access Initiative GRANT application form and guidelines are available online at www.yamahaohvaccess.com. The next deadline to submit a GRANT application is Saturday, March 30, 2013.
About the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative
The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative is the industry leader in Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation’s Trails (GRANTs). Through this program, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of trails, maintained and rehabilitated countless riding areas, improved staging areas, built bridges over fish-bearing streams and partnered with local riding communities across the country to improve the OHV experience. 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
Updated guidelines, an application form and information on the OHV Access Initiative are available here. 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, 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.
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