Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., has received the 2013 National Trails Corporate Award from American Trails
in recognition of its significant sustained service to trails planning,
implementation and recreation across the country. American Trails is the only
national nonprofit organization working in behalf of trail interests and
supporting cooperation and communication between all types of trail users
today.
The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative GRANT program recently
celebrated its fifth anniversary in funding projects serving the diverse needs
of the OHV community. To date, Yamaha has awarded more than 200 GRANTs and more
than $2 million in funding and equipment in pursuit of the program's mission of
promoting safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable access.
"Yamaha is truly honored to be recognized by and to have
received an award from American Trails," said Mike Martinez, general manager of
Yamaha's ATV and SxS division. "The goals and mission of Yamaha's OHV Access
Initiative are the blueprint for the work that has been accomplished via the
program. It is exciting to see the efforts of all involved recognized by an
organization committed to trails on a national level. Yamaha shares this award
with the more than 200 individual GRANT recipients across the country."
Also recognized at the American Trails International
Symposium in Phoenix this week was repeat OHV
Access Initiative GRANT award recipient Colorado's
Responsible Recreation Foundation for their "Stay the Trail" program.
"We want to take this opportunity to thank those in the OHV
community, like the Responsible Recreation Foundation, who reach out for
partnerships and resources to help ensure a safe and sustainable future for OHV
riding," said Steve Nessl, marketing manager for Yamaha's ATV and SxS division.
"Without the efforts of those on the ground-getting the job done each day-we
wouldn't see our mission become a reality."
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
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
