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Many off-highway recreation users have very reasonable concerns about having and maintaining access to the U.S.’s land and trails. And they have good reason to be. Local, County, State, and Federal governments are quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, closing off or restricting recreational land use. These restrictions can and do affect almost all motorized vehicles, including motorcycles.
Trail Stewardship
Land is finite. As Mark Twain said about real estate, “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” Twain’s comment emphasizes land’s rarity and value. And because of its value and rarity, closures and restrictions on its use continue to increase. The result, your riding options shrink—unless everyone gets involved.
To that point, there are many, many local groups and organizations that work hard to keep our trails and public lands open. But unfortunately, the riding community’s voices, human resources, and advocacy are not enough. Sometimes, having the backing of a corporation with deep pockets can help. Teamed with community organizations, corporations with cash can help keep trails and public lands from being closed to the off-road community.
Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative
We have already told you about Yamaha’s involvement in helping to keep trails open in no less than two separate articles (see #1 and #2 here). Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative offers grants to organizations that work to keep public lands and trails open. These funds can be used to open and maintain trails and public off-highway recreation lands. They can also be used for land management, conservation projects, safety, and education. Since Yamaha started its Outdoor Access Initiative in 2008, its grants total more than $5,000,000.
Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative has given grants to support off-road recreation since 2008. Photo: Yamaha OAI
If you are interested in applying for a Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative grant, you can visit their website here.
Polaris’s T.R.A.I.L.S. grant program
In existence since 2006, Polaris’ T.R.A.I.L.S. program is making funds available to organizations in the US to “…ensure the future of riding and getting outdoors.” Polaris’ grant program has two main objectives. The first is to promote safe and responsible riding. The second is to preserve access. In case you are wondering, the T.R.A.I.L.S. acronym stands for:
Trail development
Responsible riding
Access
Initiatives
Lobbying
Safety
Polaris’ T.R.A.I.L.S. organization offers grants to the off-road community. Image: Polaris
501(c)(3), 501(c)(7) government or non-profit organizations can apply for T.R.A.I.L.S. grant funds. Organizations can use these funds for trail development and maintenance projects, safety and education initiatives, lobbying, and other projects to increase and maintain land access. Polaris limits individual funding (or Polaris products) to $10,000 per request, and organizations may apply for two grants per year. You can apply here if you are interested in applying for a Polaris T.R.A.I.L.S. grant.
Fox Factory’s Trail Trust
Fox Factory (the company known for its suspension components) has created its own organization to support trail stewardship.
According to its Trail Trust website, the organization’s goal is as follows:
“Fox Factory created Trail Trust to provide grants to organizations helping to preserve the places we love to play. The goal is to bring together diverse communities to build, maintain, and expand access to trails. In short, we want to make sure that the thrill of the ride can live on forever.” – Fox’s Trail Trust website
Like Yamaha’s program, Fox’s Trial Trust organization focuses on trail building and maintenance, responsible recreation, and expanding trail and land access. In addition, one of Fox’s goals is to “…diversify the population that participates in the cycling and power sports industries, which have historically seen inadequate representation.” In addition, the Trail Trust enabled over 10,000 individuals from underrepresented communities to experience off-road adventure.
Photo: Fox Factory Trail Trust
First-year grants total more than $1,000,000
In its first year of existence, Fox’s Trail Trust has already given more than $1,000,000 in grants, and its grants are helping more than 70 non-profit organizations in seven countries.
Fox’s partnership is very forward-thinking for the off-road motorized recreation community. Its partnership with the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council is one example. It focuses on educating stakeholders about designing, constructing, maintaining, and managing sustainable OHV trails. It’s those skills that will help not only keep our trails open but responsibly design and maintain new tracks.
Trail Trust also works with organizations like Nevada Outdoor School to educate adventurers of all ages about how to safely and responsibly engage in off-road recreation.
Not only for motorized recreation
Interestingly, Fox’s program supports trail maintenance and access for power sports and non-powered sports like mountain biking. For example, they recently gave a $15,000 grant to support community-level GRiT (Girls Riding Together) events to bring more girls and women into cycling.
More support for the future
While the Fox Factory has already given more than $1,000,000 in grants is impressive, there is more to come. They plan to give $10 million globally through Trail Trust by 2030. They say the $10 million will go toward new trails, education initiatives, youth programs, bike parks, desert clean-ups, and more. Ultimately their goal is to “…specifically expand access to 100,000 adventurers from underrepresented populations.”
Grant money available
If you are part of an organization or know of one that could benefit from the Fox Factory’s Trail Trust, visit TrailTrust.com to learn more or apply for a grant.
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