Marietta, Ga. – Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, the powersports leader in supporting outdoor recreation, announced the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) third-quarter 2018 grant recipients as it concludes the recognition of its first decade of service to the program’s mission: to assist and support outdoor enthusiasts working to protect and improve access to public land, and educate the public on its safe, sustainable recreational use.
“We are grateful for the work accomplished by the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative over the last decade—it has become a fundamental resource to those on the front lines of the fight for access to land for outdoor recreation,” Steve Nessl, Yamaha motorsports group marketing manager, said. “And ten years is just the beginning. With each funding cycle, we continue to build and create sustaining opportunities for generations, allowing everyone to realize the various types of adventure access to land has to offer.”
Since its inception in 2008, the Yamaha OAI program contributed nearly $4 million in funding and equipment to more than 300 deserving grant recipients across the country. Yamaha continues to seek out OAI grant recipients for projects from ATV, side-by-side, motorcycle, snowmobile and outdoor enthusiasts and associations—all of whom share the common need for access to land in order to enjoy their lifestyle or livelihood. Projects receiving grants often have a strong stewardship component, as well as an inclusive community of users working together to ensure all types of outdoor recreationists can access the land sustainably and safely.
The third-quarter grant projects include bridge building, communication equipment to support search and rescue operations and trail clean-up and maintenance efforts—all supporting access to thousands of miles of land and trails for outdoor recreation. The latest Yamaha OAI grant recipients are:
- Border Riders Sportsman Club – Jackman, ME
- Desert Group Search & Rescue Volunteers – Boron, CA
- Natural Restorations – Gilbert, AZ
- Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – Sault Ste. Marie, MI
For further information on Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative program, or to submit a grant application, visit www.YamahaOAI.com. Additionally follow Yamaha Outdoors on social at Facebook.com/YamahaOutdoors, Instagram.com/YamahaOutdoors, and Twitter.com/YamahaOutdoors. #YamahaOAI #REALizeYourAdventure
Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from nonprofit or tax-exempt organizations including OHV riding clubs and associations, national, state and local public land use agencies, outdoor enthusiast associations and land conservation groups with an interest in protecting, improving, expanding and/or maintaining access for safe, responsible and sustainable public use. 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, safety and education
Updated guidelines, an application form, and information on the Outdoor Access Initiative are available at www.YamahaOAI.com. For specific questions about the Outdoor Access Initiative, call Yamaha’s dedicated hotline at (877) OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724), e-mail OHVAccess@Yamaha-Motor.com, or write to:
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
1270 Chastain Road
Kennesaw, GA 30144
