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Join us at the Uwharrie National Forest Volunteer Work Day this coming weekend

Conservation

Uwharrie National Forest
Volunteer Work Day this coming weekend
Saturday & Sunday, March 19 & 20th, 9 AM

 If you can make the time to help out this weekend come join fellow SFWDA members and prospects at  the Uwharrie National Forest our upcoming Volunteer Work Day led by District Recreation Staff Supervisor; Theresa Stevens Savery (Terry). 

 This Saturday & Sunday, March 19 & 20th we’ll be doing a lot of work and the more help we get the more we can complete.  We’re going to have several teams doing signs, armoring trails with rock, brushing back the trails, picking up trash, installing guardrail & spreading straw. 

 We’ll be meeting on Saturday and Sunday at the Badin Lake Group Camp at 9 am.  We’ll need everyone that is going to be volunteering to sign in at this location.  We will have a map and the direction for the different teams typed up for everyone to hand out when we meet up on Saturday & Sunday.  If you’re planning to take your vehicles onto the trails then you must meet us at the Badin Lake Group Camp at 9 am and get signed in and to get a special pass so we know who’s volunteering & can be on the trails. 

Free camping has been set up for volunteers from Friday, March 18th to Sunday, March 20th at Badin Lake Group Camp at all 3 campsites.  If you want to come in and set up on the Friday night so you won’t be late on Saturday morning that is ok.  Please coordinate with any folks that are already set up and try to minimize the amount of space you take up so we can maximize how many campers and vehicles can get into the group camp.  Please be respectful of all of the volunteers and their families that will be camping there and don’t get too rowdy at the campground.  Thanks a lot. 


The different type teams are listed below with the general tools they will need for their task that you could bring.  If you’ve already been assigned a team by Darin then please bring what is listed for your team and what he has already asked you to bring.  If you haven’t been assigned a team yet but have several of the types of tools listed below please bring an assortment of these tools so you’d be prepared for whichever team you’re on. 

Straw team: Rakes, gloves, scissors or small knife, wear long sleeves and pants, sunglasses or safety glasses, a bandana, & closed toe shoes (no sandals or flip flops).

Rock team: Shovels, buckets, trailers or pick-up trucks that can go on the trails, gloves, heavy duty rakes, sunglasses or safety glasses, & closed toe shoes or work boots (no sandals or flip flops).

 Railing team: Sledge Hammers, Post Hole Diggers, Gloves, 1 1/4half inch drive sockets, 1 1/8 half inch drive sockets, Rock bars, shovels, ear plugs, Pneumatic Drill, sunglasses or safety glasses, & closed toe shoes or work boots (no sandals or flip flops).

 Brush team: Pole Saws, Hand loppers, Brush cutters, pruners, gloves, sunglasses or safety glasses, bug spray, after bite ointment, ethanol free fuel/oil/bar oil, wear long sleeves & pants, & closed toe shoes or work boots (no sandals or flip flops).

 Sign team:  Hammers, small step stool/ladders, pruners or loppers to clear around signs, sunglasses or safety glasses & closed toe shoes or work boots (no sandals or flip flops).

 Trash team: Gloves, trash pick-up tools & closed toe shoes or work boots (no sandals or flip flops).

 Loading team: Heavy equipment, fuel, safety gear, gloves, sunglasses or safety glasses. 

 Barn team: Skill saw, drill, Phillips drill bit, 1 1/4 in wood screws, 3 door hinges, 4 4x6 sheets of plywood, Phillips head screwdrivers, chisel, shims.  


  Bring water and food for during the day on Saturday & Sunday when you’re out on the trails.  If you’re bringing kids out with you please make sure to have appropriate shoes for them & if you have work gloves for your kids already please bring them.  Make sure they’re dressed appropriately for being out all day on the trails picking up trash, cutting brush, etc. for whatever team they are on.
Thanks a lot everyone.  

MS Forest Resources / Watershed Management
National Forest Service
789 NC Hwy 24/27 East
Troy, NC 27371
www.fs.fed.us 

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Support the RPM Act! Say No to the EPA by reaching out to your representatives...

ORBA


"Please support Legislation to Overturn EPA Racecar Regulation and our friends at SEMA by contacting your legislator. This is important to our industry."
 
- Fred Wiley
President/CEO
 


Support the RPM Act!

The effort to protect racecars from overreaching EPA regulations continues to build momentum. The White House heard your voice, now it’s time for you to tell Congress to take action.

The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate recently introduced The Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016 (RPM Act), which would ensure that converting street vehicles to racecars used exclusively in competition does not violate the Clean Air Act. 
 
Take action now! Fill out the form below to tell your House member and your two Senators to support the RPM Act!
 
Already contacted your House member? Thank you! Now we need you to weigh in with your two Senators. Please resubmit the form to ensure your voice is heard!

Ask Your Local Member of Congress to Support the RPM Act

Click here to write your local member of Congress asking for their support of the RPM Act!


 Congress Introduces Bill to Ensure that Motor Vehicles May Be Modified Into Racecars 

U.S. Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Henry Cuellar  (D-TX), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Bill Posey (R-FL) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY) have introduced the bipartisan "Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016" (RPM Act), which makes clear that it has always been legal to modify a street vehicle into a racecar used exclusively at the track. The practice was unquestioned until last year when the EPA proposed a new regulation which would make this activity illegal. SEMA supports the RPM Act and urges you to do so as well.

Click here to write your local member of Congress asking for their support of the RPM Act!

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Season 2 of our Educational Video Series is Starting Now!

 Season 2 of our Educational Video Series
is Starting Now....

  Off Road Education is at the core of our association's directive. A strong emphasis of our core mission is placed on education. All OHV enthusiasts are encouraged to practice safe and courteous driving and proper vehicle use off road.

We work closely with certified instructors, and professional trainers within the region who teach the principles of Tread Lightly! and best practices for safe and effective off road driving.

This continuing series of videos discuss some of the most common and useful best practices of traveling off road and managing a variety of obstacles that you may be confronted with. Stay tuned for a 5 new titles in Season 2 featuring topics like " What to carry on a 1 day trail ride", safe operation of a High Lift jack and a Winch as well as How to avoid getting stuck and in an emergency "How to get unstuck". We will be releasing these videos monthly throughout the year beginning with our first title feature already out within this months newsletter. 

 These videos are created with idea that through proper Education we will all enjoy continued safe use and access of our trail systems. Produced through our Non-Profit Associations Grant Program which supports our core mission of Education, Conservation, and Recreation. Check out our website SFWDA.org to learn more get involved.

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UPDATE ALERT * Spring Meet & Ride at Turkey Bay OHV will be Postponed until April 2, 2016

Access over 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline, 200 miles of paved roads, 500 miles of trails, 100 + miles of OHV trails, and 170,000 acres of forests and open lands.

Access over 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline, 200 miles of paved roads, 500 miles of trails, 100 + miles of OHV trails, and 170,000 acres of forests and open lands.

* UPDATE ALERT * Spring Meet & Ride
will be Postponed until April 2, 2016

  Due to uncontrollable weather related circumstances our upcoming Meet & Ride at Turkey Bay OHV Area, near the shores of beautiful Kentucky Lake has been postponed. Forest service reports indicate the soil in the area has become too saturated. In effort to prevent excessive erosion the park will be temporarily closed.  The back up plan already in place is to reschedule until Saturday, April 2, 2016. Same place, time, and same agenda otherwise. 

 This will remain our first SFWDA Meet & Ride of 2016. The Stones River Jeep Club, Murfreesboro, TN will host this event and provide guided Trail rides throughout the park. 


For Full Details check out our original Message Board & Events page;
http://www.sfwda.org/message-board/blog/2016/1/18/sfwda-spring-meet-ride-of-2016

To Register / RSVP Online today:
http://www.sfwda.org/event-calendar#id=120&wid=201&cid=1044

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Beasley Knob - "Spring Cleaning" Volunteer Work Day

Beasley Knob - "Spring Cleaning"
Volunteer Work Day
March 19th, 2016 Beasley Knob OHV Park, Blairsville, GA

Hosted by the Georgia Bounty Runners in a continuing 22 year effort to fulfill our volunteer work hour requirements for our commitment to the RTP funds. These funds have been used at Beasly to add miles of trails all while fixing and repairing the existing trails. Beasley Knob OHV Park is the only full size vehicle OHV area in the National Forest in the state of Georgia.

We will work togther in several groups to survey the trails, and then begin clearing brush and sapplings along the trails. Some attention to the Pay Stations will be adressed too. The overall goal is to freshen up the park and trail sytems essentially preparing the park for the upcoming riding season. 

Who?
Everyone who can make the drive is requested to join and share our support. There are already about 40 GBR members signed up but many more are needed. 

What to bring?
If you have a shovel, and/or any brush clearing hand tools (shears or lopers) bring them along. No power tools or chanisaws please. Forest service reps will be on hand to supervise and use chainsaws when neccasary. 
Pack a trail lunch for everyong in your group. 

Why?
We are obligated as recipients of the RTP grant funds which are used to

What is RTP?
Recreational Trails Program. A state based grant with Federal funding from gas tax revenues. The Beasley project was awarded $500,000 in RTP funds with a pledge to matching volunteer commitments.

When & Where? 
Meet at the Beasley Knob OHV Parking area, Blairsville, GA; Satterfield entrance and be ready to head out by 9 AM (EDT). 

Trailers?
If you haul in your rig then its suggested to park near town in Blairsville at the Park & Ride then commute to the trail head so we squeeze everyone inside the parking lots. 


For complete details on Beasley Knob OHV Park, including a trail map, check the USFS's page;
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/conf/recarea/?recid=10533

Directions: 
Beginning on US 76/Highway 515 in front of the Blairsville Post Office, go east for 0.7 mile. Turn right onto Windy Hill Road, a paved road. At 0.7 mile when Windy Hill curves sharply to the left, go straight onto a gravel road. After 0.1 mile, turn left onto a narrow gravel road, Forest Service Road #851. Continue 0.8 mile to the OHV trail system parking lot.

Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/439445689581745/

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Wilderness First Aid Education Demonstration unveils at TrailFest 2016

Another exciting development is our new Education Initiative. This year you can learn about the basics of Wilderness First Aid hands-on with a demo of a real life scenario of how to handle a compound fracture leg while out trail riding miles from services. Led by a 30 year veteran EMT and member of Warner Robbins Jeep Club. Learn the basics of what do first, and what not to do ever, so that you can be better prepared in the event of a real emergency.
(Spots will be very limited and registration will be announced soon.)

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Join SFWDA & Trick N Traction for our Free Inaugural Environmental Stewardship Initiative Workshop

TL_logo

Attention All SFWDA Members;  

  Have you always wondered what Tread Lightly! was all about? Interested in finding out how you can do your part in preventing trail closures? Then join us for a three-hour workshop and our inaugural Tread Lightly! training event free for all members!

This Awareness Workshop is a 3-hour course that will provide attendees with an introduction to Tread Lightly! principles as decision making guidelines while enjoying the great outdoors in a safe and responsible manner. The workshop will provide you with situational awareness, the know-how on minimizing your impact while recreating, and the outdoor ethic that will help sustain our trails for generations to come.

 "The dream for Trick N Traction to host an Environmental Stewardship Initiative Workshop is a reality... The workshop will be conducted on March 19, 2016 at Duke Energy's Oconee World of Energy. We will open the doors at 11:00am for on site registration and start the three hour workshop at noon. A snack for everyone will be provided during a break around 1:15pm. We are pleased to partner with Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, Tread Lightly, Clemson 4Wheel Center and WARN to conduct this workshop. The focus of this workshop will be on the Tread Lightly principals. Uwharrie Off-Road Training Centers'; Scott Fields is a Tread Lightly Master Training. He will be leading the workshop based on Tread Lightly's three hour workshop outline. Note that we will only be able to accommodate the first 100 people to register for this exciting event."    - Al Sweeney (Trick N Traction 4WD Club)

 
 

Event Details

COST =
There is NO COST for the event to all active SFWDA members. We will soon be launching an online registration and hope you can make it for this first time offering of a Tread Lightly Course Class sponsored by SFWDA.

WHERE =
Duke Energy's Oconee World of Energy,
7812 Rochester Hwy, Seneca, SC 29672

HOW =
Ensure your SFWDA Membership status is active, and when Online Registration Launches you can sign in and register at no charge, right here on our website. (Links will be provided)
You can also register in person at the event if space is still available but this event is limited to 100 attendees. 

WHEN = March 19, 2016 ( 12 Noon - 3 PM )


  "We have hundreds of dollars worth of off road gear for door prizes donated by Clemson 4Wheel Center,  and WARN. SFWDA will also offer a pair of TrailFest 2016 Gift Certificates.  Sorry...  no WARN Winch because theTrail Fest Team beat me to it..."
 - Al Sweeney (Trick N Traction 4WD Club)

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* SEEKING EVENT VOLUNTEERS * WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT ! *

* SEEKING EVENT VOLUNTEERS *
* WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT ! *

 Would you like to be part of the team that makes TrailFest a success?
Please consider volunteering for at least one of the shifts and spots you desire.

 Both groups, and individuals are needed. From merchandise sales, and registration, to tech inspection, and trail guides. It takes a large team of volunteers to make this event happen!
To show our appreciation, each volunteer will receive a free "Volunteer Only - TrailFest 2016 Event Staff T-Shirt", along with a secret special prize to be awarded during announcements Saturday evening.

Whether you're an old school veteran with SFWDA, or this is your first event, it's all good. There's something for everyone. Whether your part of a team, a family, or an individual; everyone can help out. Each volunteer spot is broken down into specific time slots, and are explained in detail within.
http://www.sfwda.org/trailfest-volunteering/

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Announcing the 4th Annual "4 Wheeling for a Cure" April 9, 2016 at Windrock Park


4 Wheeling for a Cure

April 9, 2016

 Windrock Park
Oliver Springs, TN

Brian Overly presenting the 2015 event proceeds check to St. Jude organization representative

 Join the Rattlerock Club for the Fourth Annual 4 Wheeling For A Cure Benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital!  In honor of Brendle Sara Overly, Jim Tunnell, D.A. Young and Kenneth Spence where all proceeds are donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in hopes of finding cures and saving children.

Help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital change the way the world treats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases.

Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood survival rate from 20 percent when the hospital opened in 1962 to more than 80 percent today.

Because of St. Jude supporters, St. Jude creates more clinical trials for cancer than any other children's hospital and turns laboratory discoveries into lifesaving treatments that benefit patients — every day.

How your support helps kids:

Thanks to committed fundraisers and donors like you, no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.
St. Jude shares its research discoveries worldwide, so one child saved at St. Jude means thousands more saved worldwide.

Questions?
Contact Brian Overly 865-308-3310

Official St. Jude Donation Page
http://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?fr_id=56286&pg=entry

Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/StJude4WheelingforaCure

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Warn Winch & Clemson 4WD Center are together donating a Brand New Warn Zeon 10K-S Winch for TrailFest 2016!

        Register Now for TrailFest 2016
and you could
WIN THIS WINCH ! 

WARN® ZEON® 10-S
10,000 lbs. of cutting-edge pulling muscle
Choose your way to conquer the terrain. The ZEON 10-S is tough enough to tackle anything you will, with a look that is advanced, capable and strong. Muck-busting sealing keeps out everything but the good times. Add a hyper-durable cast-aluminum housing, satin-black finish, and 10,000 lbs. single-line pulling capacity and, well, you've got a workhorse unit you can trust for years to come.   https://www.warn.com/truck/winches/ZEON_10-S.shtml

THANK YOU BOTH!

Warn Winch & Clemson 4WD Center are together donating a Brand New Warn Winch to be raffled off at TrailFest 2016.

How do you I qualify? 
As part of an exclusive raffle feature this year all individuals who register in advance and online for TF'16 will be automatically entered into this exclusive raffle. No additional purchase necessary! 

Thank You for supporting SFWDA!! Please be sure to remember these brand names during your next purchase. Support like this is what enable to be effective at our core mission. 

#trailfest2016   #warn 

Why Shop Clemson 4WD Center?

  • Experience. In the off-road equipment business since 1970. Thats 44 years of serving upstate South Carolina!
  • More Experience. Our employees are also off-road enthusiasts. We actually go out and use the stuff we sell.
  • Customer service. Some of the other guys have phone operators, but you can rest assured that we have knowledgeable staff.
  • Product service. We install & service the products we sell.

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