Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) contributed more than $116,000 in grant awards for the third quarter of 2022 alone. This latest funding cycle showcases Yamaha OAI’s mission to protect, improve, and expand access to public land for motorized and outdoor recreation through projects that build, protect and restore access to more than 40,000 acres and 600 miles of trail for motorized recreation.
“Two of the groups funded this quarter, TreadLightly! and the Wenatchee Valley TREAD, will use OAI grants to rehabilitate OHV trails and riding areas that have been shut down following destructive wildfires,” says Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports marketing manager. “It is gratifying to deliver essential resources that restore access to public lands for OHV riders to once again enjoy.”
OAI Projects Funded In Q3:
BlueRibbon Coalition (Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges, UT)
Grand Lake Trail Grooming, Inc. (Grand Lake, CO)
The Great Outdoors Fund (Beasley Knob OHV Area, GA)
LANDS Foundation (Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area, CA)
Range Riders ATV Club (Len Hardy Memorial Trail, Itasca County, MN)
Tread Lightly! (Cinder Hills OHV Area, AZ)
Wenatchee Valley TREAD (Mad River Trail, Entiat, WA)
About the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
Since 2008, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative has led the Powersports industry in supporting responsible access to our nation’s public lands for outdoor enthusiasts. With more than $5 million contributed to over 400 projects across the country, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of motorized recreation trails, maintained and rehabilitated riding and hunting areas, improved staging areas, supplied agricultural organizations with essential OHV safety education, built bridges over fish-bearing streams and partnered with local outdoor enthusiast communities across the country to improve access to public lands. 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.
“We encourage those who manage or ride trail systems and riding areas affected by closures and damage due to storms, fires, or otherwise, to reach out to us for similar support,” notes Ness. “Yamaha’s OAI funding can make an immediate impact and even serve to match funds for larger state and federal grants.” However, the application deadline for consideration in the final funding cycle for 2022 is December 15, 2022. Riding clubs, land stewardship associations, and public land managers are encouraged to work together with Yamaha dealers to identify projects and apply for support.
For submission guidelines, Yamaha OAI grant application form, answers to most popular questions about the program and recaps of some typical projects for inspiration, click here:
www.YamahaOAI.com