Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., announces it is the recipient of a 2013 Outstanding Contribution Award from the National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) in recognition of the Yamaha OHV Access InitiativeÂ’s significant, sustained service to increasing and protecting access to OHV trails and riding areas across the country.
The NOHVCC honored Yamaha’s Access Initiative at the 32nd annual NOHVCC conference in Orlando, Fla., this week. During the award ceremony, the NOHVCC acknowledged the many accomplishments achieved by the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative since its GRANT (Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our NationÂ’s Trails) program was created more than five years ago.
To date, more than 200 GRANTs and $2 million in funding and equipment have been contributed by Yamaha in pursuit of the programÂ’s mission to promote safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable riding areas.
“Yamaha is honored to receive this award from the National OHV Conservation Council on behalf of all of our GRANT recipients nationwide and in recognition of the great work we’ve done together the past five years,” said Mike Martinez, vice president, Yamaha ATV and SxS division. “The shared dedication to responsible motorized recreation is essential to the success of the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative as well as the OHV community nationwide. This award serves as important validation of our mission to support the people and projects that create OHV access to trails and riding areas.”
Also recognized at the NOHVCC Conference was 2013 GRANT recipient Vermont ATV Sportsmen Association (VASA) as the 2013 NOHVCC Club of the Year.
“Yamaha applauds the efforts of VASA and its members, who worked tirelessly to restore their trail system damaged by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. By reaching out to Yamaha and NOHVCC for partnerships and resources, they were able to ensure a safe and sustainable future for OHV riding in their community,” said Steve Nessl, marketing manager for Yamaha’s ATV and SxS division. “VASA is a great working example of our mission to protect riding opportunities for everyone.”
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. Updated guidelines, an application form and information on the OHV Access Initiative are available here. For specific questions about the OHV Access Initiative, call Yamaha’s dedicated OHV Access Initiative Hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724).
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), a leader in the motorsports market, makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The companyÂ’s ever-expanding product offerings also include motorcycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of dealers in the United States.
Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia.
For more information on Yamaha, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.
