Jan. 19, 2009 – Yamaha continues grant program

swadminJanuary 19, 2009

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. injected more than $700,000 in cash and equipment in 2008 into projects across the country via the company’s new OHV Access Initiative.
The initiative supports safe, responsible riding and sustainable, open riding areas.
In the program’s first year, Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. provided GRANTs (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation’s Trails) to more than 65 local, regional and national organizations representing the greater OHV community.
Awardees from the OHV Access Initiative’s fourth-quarter funding cycle include:

The California Trail Users Coalition,

Cheaha Trailriders, Ala.,

Aitkin County, Minn.,

Arrowhead ATV Club, Minn.,

Dixie National Forest, Cedar City Ranger District, Utah,

Florida Trail Riders,

Lewis County Department of Forestry, Parks and Recreation, N.Y.,

Paul Bunyan Forest Riders, Minn.,

Rose City – Lupton Area Chamber of Commerce, Mich.,

Embarrass River ATV Park and Campground, Wis.,

and the town of Rome, Dyracuse Recreational Park, Wis.
“By directly funding public and private land management and enthusiast-initiated projects, the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative is leading the grassroots effort in creating and sustaining safe and responsible riding opportunities,” said Mike Martinez, Yamaha’s general manager of ATV and side-by-side operations. “These GRANTs have become an important asset to the OHV community and we are pleased to continue this support into 2009.”
The primary purpose of the OHV Access Initiative is to provide funding of OHV access-related projects that include:

Trail development, restoration and maintenance;

Trail signage and map production;

Staging area construction, renovation and maintenance;

Land stewardship and education;

Responsible OHV riding education and outreach;

and legislative lobbying efforts.
“Riders, land managers and OHV groups are working together to submit quality applications in support of long-term access goals,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS marketing manager. “Yamaha plans to expand this program and build on its success in supporting the OHV community well into 2009 and beyond.”
Updated guidelines, an application form and information on the OHV Access Initiative are available at www.yamaha-motor.com/ohvaccess. psb

swadminJanuary 19, 2009