Yamaha Issues
17 New OHV GRANTs Totaling More Than $200,000
Yamaha Spearheads Local
OHV Access Effort with San Bernardino National
Forest Association
Cypress, CA (7/21/2008) -
Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is pleased to announce
the second round of OHV Access Initiative GRANTs,
resulting in more than $200,000 funded to projects
supporting safe, responsible riding and sustainable,
open riding areas across the country. Seventeen
organizations from 14 states received GRANT
(Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation's
Trails) funds for projects including OHV park
development, trail mapping and signage to building
materials for trail heads and construction equipment
for trail development.
In just more than six months, Yamaha's OHV
Access Initiative has awarded in excess of $390,000
to nonprofit organizations that are leading
grass roots efforts to support responsible,
open access.
The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative review committee
will award GRANTs in amounts ranging from $2,000
to $25,000 to the following organizations:
Arapaho National Forest/Clear
Creek Ranger District
Amity Rescue Squad
Arizona Off Highway Vehicle
Coalition
Black Hills National Forest
Cycle Conservation Club of
Michigan
Harland County Ridge Runners
ATV Club
Hazard/Perry County Tourism
Indian Creek Valley ATV Club
Mining City Trail Riders (MCTR)
Moto-Trax
Northwood Riders OHV Club
Oswego County ATV Club
Roxbury Riders
San Bernardino National Forest
Association
Tillamook County Sheriff's
Office
Triangle Volunteer Fire Dept
Thedford Volunteer Rescue
Squad
"Interest in the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative
continues to grow as more organizations learn
about this relatively new program," said
Mike Martinez, Yamaha's general manager of ATV
and Side-by-Side (SxS) Operations. "Yamaha
dealers are embracing the program and actively
assisting their local public land agencies,
OHV clubs and associations in a combined effort
to supply and support a safe and responsible
off-road environment."
As part of its own efforts, Yamaha recently
entered into a partnership with the San Bernardino
National Forest Association (SBNFA), which is
headquartered less than 100 miles from Yamaha's
corporate offices in Southern California. On
May 20, 2008 Yamaha staff, including Martinez
and more than 10 others, worked the first annual
"Trail Clean Up Day" alongside members
of SBNFA's OHV Volunteer Program in support
of Yamaha's locally adopted trails. Trail assessment,
trash pick up, signage renovation, brush clearing
and vertical mulching were among some of the
duties performed.
"As leaders in the OHV industry, it's
natural for Yamaha to be on the front line of
the access issue," said Steve Nessl, Yamaha's
ATV/SxS marketing manager. "Participating
with SBNFA and the Trail Clean Up Day is one
way of getting our hands dirty to make a difference
for our local trails. The SBNFA has a model
OHV Program and this is a great example of the
type of efforts we'd like to see nationwide."
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.
Each quarter, Yamaha will accept applications
from organizations such as non-profit or tax-exempt
OHV riding clubs, national forests and associations,
and national, state and local government agencies.
A committee then reviews each application and
awards financial GRANTs to deserving projects.
Applications for the third quarter will be accepted
through August 31, 2008.
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
About Yamaha:
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, race kart engines,
accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products
are sold through a nationwide network of more
than 4,000 dealers in the United States.
Headquartered in Cypress,
Calif., since its incorporation in 1977, YMUS
also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia,
as well as factory operations in Tennessee and
Georgia. For more information on Yamaha, visit
yamaha-motor.com.