NOHVCC Youth Scholarship Program Announced

A two-fold plan of interaction and education

   The National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council recently started a new program working with youth service and conservation corps. In addition, young men and women who are interested in a career in OHV recreation management have a new opportunity to further their education.
   "The idea behind this new program is twofold," explains the NOHVCC Executive Director Russ Ehnes. "It gives the youth of our country an opportunity to learn about, and perhaps find a career in, OHV recreation. On the other hand the program helps get the word out to OHV land managers and clubs that there is this huge, primarily untapped resource that can be used to help them build and maintain trail systems. If the NOHVCC Youth Scholarship Program works as planned, it will be win-win for everyone involved."
    At the forefront of the scholarship program is a trip to the NOHVCC Annual Conference in March for young adults (18-25) who have recently participated in OHV recreation projects. For 2009, the first year of the scholarship, Eric Hughes from the Western Colorado Conservation Corps and Carith Kamermans and Kristen Courtney from the Southwest Conservation Corps will be attending the Conference in Houston and giving a presentation on how youth corps and OHV organizations and land managers can work together. In 2009, their costs will be funded as part of conference support from the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Recreational Trails Program (RTP).

   In addition when a young man or woman with experience on OHV projects shows an interest in pursuing a career in OHV management, the scholarship program can provide the student with tuition for on-line or on-campus Marshall University (West Virginia) OHV Recreation Management courses. The Nick J. Rahall II Appalachian Transportation Institute and the NOHVCC are currently sponsoring the Marshall University scholarship.

 Go to the NOHVCC Youth Scholarship webpage for more info.

ACTION ALERTS

Help trail funding and stop the ban of kid OHVs

  There is a way you can help ensure more funding for trails, greenways, and parks, but you need to take action today!
   As you know, the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act is in conference to settle differences between the House and Senate versions. This is our only chance to have a positive impact on nearly a trillion dollars of federal spending. We need to make clear that trails ARE an investment in job creation and important infrastructure improvements. Congress wants the bill passed and on the desk of President Obama before the President's Day Recess on February 13.

   For more info, go to these pages on the American Trails website:
   The SUPPORTING TRAILS page includes the economic stimulus issues, bills in Congress, and news of federal agency and outdoor recreation budgets.
   The TRANSPORTATION REAUTHORIZATION page covers the next phase of Highway Trust Fund programs, which funds the Recreational Trails Program, Transportation Enhancements, and others important to trails.

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   The sport of off-highway recreation is seriously threatened by recent legislation that imposes strict lead content guidelines on children's everyday toys. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) has effectively banned the sale of youth off-highway vehicles (OHVs). The AMA is calling for action now to help reverse the potentially devestating effect this could have on the sport of OHV recreation.
   To help in the process, go to the action page at the American Motorcyclist (AMA) website>>

Wheelers for the Wounded Plan 20 National Events for '09

Find out how you can help with the fun!

Wheelers for the Wounded (WFTW) is an organization with the primary mission of providing a weekend of off-roading, camping, and in some cases fishing, to our country's wounded military members all over the United States. This will provide them with much deserved fun and excitement as they traverse the most extreme terrain our great country has to offer in a variety of the best off-road capable vehicles ever built.
   On the weekend of April 4-5, 2009, the WFTW program will begin in Florida. From there, the founder will travel around the country attending other WFTW events. Along the way, members of off-road clubs all across the United States will host over 20 special events for the brave men and women and accompany them on the trails in their area. Riding with the groups will give the wounded service members an opportunity to ride along in a variety of modified off-road vehicles, which will surely bring smiles to the faces of our esteemed passengers. At nightfall, they will camp out in the most beautiful parks and forests in the country. This will continue until September 27, 2009.

   New Jersey NOHVCC Partner J.P. Parrinello is the Northeast Regional Liaison for the WFTW.
   Visit the Wheelers for Wounded website to donate or see if there's any events in your area you can help out with.

Chris Didamo Receives Gino's OHV Spirit Award from the Iowa OHV Association

NOHVCC's Nebraska State Partner is the main man behind Iowa's largest OHV park

The Iowa OHV Association (IOHVA) recently awarded Chris Didamo with the Gino's OHV Spirit Award for his work with the  River Valley OHV Park near Council Bluffs, IA. Didamo is the NOHVCC State Partner for Nebraska which lies just across the river from Council Bluffs.

   "We wanted to recognize all the years of hard work Chris has put into the River Valley park," said IOHVA Executive Director Dan Kleen. "He not only helped start it back in 2001, but he's pretty much overseeing the day-to-day operation of the park today in his capacity as President of the River Valley Trailriders."

   The award is named in honor of Gino Quandt who was very active in Iowa OHV clubs and issues for many years.

   Kleen added, "Riders need to be aware that they can't take wonderful riding opportunities like the River Valley park for granted. It took many years of hard work by enthusiasts like Chris for the park to even exist in the first place. If everyone who is passionate about OHVs did as much for the sport as Chris does, we'd all be a lot better off."

    After receiving the award Chris said "It couldn't have come at a better time to keep me motivated. We are in the middle of dealing with the Nebraska and Iowa Departments of Transportation as they are building a new bridge across the river that is going right through our parking lot. Covering the park's interests during this long process has been a headache, but I think we're going to come out OK in the long run and already have a new paved parking lot to show for our troubles."

   For more info, got to the IOHVA website and the River Valley Trailriders website.

2009 National Association of OHV Program Managers (NAOPM) & NOHVCC Annual Conferences set for March 24-29 in Houston, Texas

   The 2009 annual Conferences for the National Association of OHV Program Managers (NAOPM) and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) are set to take place in Houston, Texas on March 24-29. The first two days (Tues..-Wed.) will be scheduled for trailrides while the NAOPM group meets on Thursday and Friday, and the NOHVCC partners and supporters are slated for Friday through Sunday.
Click here for the '09 Conferences webpage>>

For more information, contact NOHVCC at 800-348-6487 or NOHVCC Communications Director Steve Casper at 608-527-4152 or email steve@nohvcc.org