GBR and SFWDA have agreed to participate with 2200 work hours that will eliminate two dead end trails and add 3.5 miles to the system in the next few years!
Viewing entries in
Conservation
Thanks a lot for your help and for the help from Southern and all of the OHV volunteers we appreciate it a lot!!!!"
Your Association Introduces the - SFWDA GRANT Program
The Southern Four Wheel Drive Association Board of Directors approved during the on-line meeting on April 21, 2014 the introduction of the SFWDA Grant Program. This new initiative by your association has been established for the benefit of its members and their OHV areas, both public and private. The SFWDA Grant initiative is our largest annual project committing a significant portion of the association net income to this program. The SFWDA Grant initiative supports the membership and regional projects focused on our core missions – Conservation, Education and Recreation.
The grant funding will be $5,000 maximum per grant project and requires a cost sharing portion from the requesting party in order to qualify. SFWDA has committed $30,000 in 2014 to fund this first year of the Grant Program. The decision process includes the application process; Grant scoring based on the goals and scope of the project; and a commitment to maintain best operating practices for a period of three years. Additionally SFWDA will post signage designating the project as a SFWDA Grant project. The application and decision framework for the program is posted on our association web page at www.sfwda.org.
Additionally the SFWDA Grant can be used as part of the matching funding requirements of the state Recreational Trails Program in your home state. As part of our development of the SFWDA Grant Program, your association has detailed the available RTP funding by state and the appropriate links to the RTP sites for additional information. This information is included in the SFWDA Grant application document.
SFWDA recently awarded our first Grant to the Friends of Uwharrie (www.friendsofuwharrie.org) and the Carolina Trail Blazers (www.carolina-trailblazers.org) for Gravel Access Road improvements within and to the Uwharrie National Forest. The SFWDA Grant will purchase 125 tons of gravel to be applied by a U.S. Forest Service Contractor during the annual maintenance of these roads. This grant addresses access issues of OHV, hikers, kayakers, fishermen, bird watchers, mountain bikers and equestrian users of this valuable national land asset. Additionally, SFWDA has offered a challenge to the office of The Honorable Richard Hudson, Member of Congress, 8th District to match our grant award and address the needs of his constituents.
Future projects will include Tread Lightly training and educational segments; trail development on OHV private lands; access and trail improvements within both public and private areas; trail maintenance; site improvements including restrooms, etc.; and other great ideas from you, the members of SFWDA.
We are pleased to share this tool with you, the supporting members of SFWDA, and empower you with a funding mechanism to address critical projects in your home areas. Please work with your public and private land partners to create a dynamic result and address critical conservation, education and/or recreation needs to continue growing our OHV sport.
Please feel free to direct any questions to Ray Stanley, ray.stanley@sfwda.org; Brian Overly, brian.overly@sfwda.org; or Flint Holbrook, flint.holbrook@sfwda.org.
TN OHV Day on the Hill is a Success
A big thanks to all who came out and represented Southern this weekend at Windrock park. SFWDA was well represented this weekend with a variety of clubs and members supporting the cleanup events. Some of those noteworthy SFWDA clubs include, Knox Off-Road, ET4WD, and Rattle Rock, just to name a few.
Despite the rainy day and wet trails die hard Trail riders were present to represent and get the job done.
"I was glad to see all that came out..... especially with the weather we had. Our little group had a good time while cleaning up!! Thanks to Jason (Rock Your 4X4) for giving us a great trail ride!!" Ray L Luisa, KOR
Check out this article I found today which reads to inspire and prove that we are on the right path.
This Utah “Win-Win” Is Good For OHV Riders And The BLM
By Dave Halsy, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
Off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders need trails. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) needs volunteers to help sign and maintain trails. A BLM recreation technician coordinates volunteer projects. OHV riders show up and help get the job done.
That’s a common success story at BLM Field Offices.
In Utah, they’ve taken that win-win scenario to the next level: The hours OHV riders volunteer on trail projects help pay the salary of the BLM Rec. Tech.
Full story....
Windrock Park is organizing a Clean Up Day! Anyone and everyone is invited to come out and participate-no matter what you drive! All DRIVERS must have a valid Land Use Permit. If you want to bring to a passenger along to help you with the clean up, the passenger must sign for a permit, but will receive it for free for that day only.
Trash bags will be provided. If you have some other apparatus that will help you, you are welcome to bring it along!
Starting point will begin at the Lower Shed at the Trailhead (across from the General Store). Each vehicle will be assigned a partner vehicle, or you can pair up with someone. Trails will be assigned to each pair and long trails will be broken down into sections.
We will meet back at the starting point at 2pm with all of the trash collected. After that, you are welcome to go wheel some more!
BFGoodrich Tires announces that nominations are now open for the 2014 Outstanding Trails program.
The competition invites off-road clubs from around North America to submit trails in their area they believe are worthy of a grant for maintenance or refurbishing. Trails are selected based on uniqueness, terrain type and enthusiast following.
Now in its ninth year, the Outstanding Trails program is conducted in collaboration with United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) and Blue Ribbon Coalition and is dedicated to the responsible use and preservation of off-road trails while promoting the trails’ conservation efforts. To date, the program has awarded grants to 33 off-road trails nominated by 32 clubs throughout North America.
The program has provided more than $130,000 in grants in support of the various trails’ conservation efforts. “Off-road communities are vital for BFGoodrich as they embody the spirit and enthusiasm for the sport and for our products,” said Duane Thomas, brand communications manager for BFGoodrich Tires, “The Outstanding Trails program is a great source of pride for us, and being able to give back to this community by helping to maintain and refurbish the most deserving trails in North America is our way of
showing appreciation.”
Consumers can register at the BFGoodrich Tires FORCE community page at
bfgoodrichtiresforce.com before March 21, 2014, to register and post their nominations for trails to be considered for the
competition.
BFGoodrich will select three trails and announce the winners at the Easter Jeep Safari on
April 16, 2014.
Register and post your nominations now
Thanks to the 2013 BFG Outstanding Trails Award, SFWDA member club, the Carolina Trail Blazers, are making major progress in correcting serious erosion issues in the Uwharrie National Forest OHV Trail System. This is from the March 2014 workday!
Great work day! 54 people showed up and got it done! 10 new tail ditches,9 or so new sections of guard rail and polished off the dutch john creek crossings!
