The pandemic has caused an upsurge in public land use, with many of us looking for ways to escape the confines of houses and apartments. Sometimes, the outdoors is our only reprieve. But that rise has created a huge amount of stress on these natural spaces we are all responsible for. An increase of support is needed in order to bring awareness and understanding for what goes into maintaining public lands.
On March 31, Yamaha Motor Corp., USA announced funding decisions following the 2020 Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) from their fourth quarter. Over $350,000 went toward public land support across the country. The funds will help protect, expand, and improve spaces where off-road recreation is allowed.
Please note all photos were taken pre-COVID.
“Public land belongs to everyone, and we all have a responsibility to take care of it. Yamaha is proud to continue supporting our riders’ favorite outdoor activities, including OHV riding, hunting, camping, and fishing, through the Outdoor Access Initiative,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports marketing manager.
In the past 12 years, Yamaha has contributed more than $4.5 million to non-profits who support riders, land stewardship, and public land managers, giving financial aid to over 380 projects across the US. These undertakings include improving staging areas, maintaining trails for motorized use, OHV safety education, and bridges over fish-bearing streams, to name a few.
Please note all photos were taken pre-COVID.
Yamaha accepts applications from non-profits each quarter. For more information on the Outdoor Access Initiative program, see below.
Unedited Press Release:
MARIETTA, Ga. – March 31, 2021
The fourth quarter 2020 Yamaha OAI grants totaling more than $90,000 were awarded to the following organizations:
Blue Ribbon Coalition – Pocatello, ID
East Branch Sno-Rovers & ATV Club – Medway, Maine
Idaho Single Track Alliance – Idaho Falls, ID
Reno Area Dirtriders – Reno, NV
Swampsiders Snowmobile Club – Bigfork, MN
“The need for funding and leadership for public lands increased exponentially in 2020 with more people engaging in outdoor recreation at the same time resources were being restricted. It was a relief to know we could reach out to Yamaha to help,” said Ben Burr from the Blue Ribbon Coalition, which received $11,740 to develop a trail guide for Utah’s San Rafael Desert area to help visitors explore safely and responsibly. “The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative is a trusted resource for the outdoor recreation community with a history of putting the funds where they are needed to make big improvements on the ground.”
“The 2020 fourth quarter grant projects spanned the spectrum of powersports, with funds going to groups from all categories of Yamaha’s off-highway vehicles: Motorcycles, ATVs, Side-by-Sides, and snowmobiles,” continued Nessl. “We prioritize those projects meeting the needs of diverse OHV riders to support their local riding communities.”
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, application form, information and news about the Outdoor Access Initiative are available at YamahaOAI.com. For specific questions about the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative, call the dedicated hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724), email OHVAccess@Yamaha-Motor.com, or write to:
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
3065 Chastain Meadows Parkway, Bldg. 100
Marietta, GA 30066
The deadline for submission to the second quarter 2021 funding cycle for the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative is June 30, 2021, and applications must be postmarked by then. Submission guidelines and applications are available at YamahaOAI.com. Connect with Yamaha on social media via @YamahaOutdoors or search any of the following hashtags on all platforms: #Yamaha #YamahaOAI #REALizeYourAdventure #ProvenOffRoad
Our No Compromise Clause: We carefully screen all contributors to make sure they are independent and impartial. We never have and never will accept advertorial, and we do not allow advertising to influence our product or destination reviews.
