YAMAHA’S OUTDOOR ACCESS INITIATIVE REACHES $6-MILLION MILESTONE

Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s motorsports marketing manager, shared, “Fifteen years ago, when Yamaha conceived the Outdoor Access Initiative, we foresaw the positive impact it would have on our valued customers, dedicated dealership network, and the public landscapes we enjoy today. While much work remains, we take immense pride in our contribution of over $6 million thus far. This support underscores our commitment to foster safe, sustainable riding and recreation across public lands.”

The second quarter of 2023 witnessed the endorsement of three pivotal projects in Oregon through OAI. These initiatives provide enhanced riding experiences across the Oregon Sand Dunes National Recreation Area, the Tillamook State Forest, and the Prospect OHV riding area on the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest. The range of projects, from erecting informative wayfinding signs to constructing vital bridges and staging areas, epitomizes the essence of OAI’s dedication to lasting improvements in Oregon’s recreational opportunities. Amongst the pool of Q2 applications, 18 grants were awarded, totaling an impressive $311,355. The recipients span the following organizations:

Individuals passionate about leading projects to enhance and safeguard access to public lands for motorized and outdoor recreation are encouraged to apply for an OAI grant. Notably, this initiative has expanded to embrace Yamaha’s Power Assist Bicycle group, further preserving access to public spaces for all forms of outdoor and motorized recreation.

The application deadline for the third quarter funding cycle is September 30, 2023. Yamaha welcomes the participation of OHV and bicycling clubs, land stewardship groups, and related nonprofit outdoor recreation organizations. To explore the application process, submission guidelines, and access the Yamaha OAI grant application form, visit YamahaOAI.com. The website also features an enlightening blog replete with project highlights to fuel inspiration.

Stay seamlessly connected with Yamaha through avenues such as the Yamaha Outdoors podcast, social media channels via @YamahaOutdoors, and by tracking the following hashtags:  #Yamaha, #YamahaOAI, #REALizeYourAdventure, #ProvenOffRoad, and #AssembledInUSA.

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Thanks, Yamaha, for protecting our access to recreate on public lands, and congratulations on surpassing the $6,000,000 threshold in grants. Looking to the future and the current Presidential administration’s plans to push the Green New Deal and its mandate for more and more huge solar seas across the desert southwest, I’d like to see groups organize to oppose these solar seas, all of which are fencing off 100s or even 1000s of acres of desert. Where are those willing to litigate against solar seas and wind turbine forests and the high-tension power lines they require using the Endangered Species Act? Building and maintaining trails and infrastructure are great and noble activities, but fence lines and power line corridors are chopping our deserts to pieces. I was at Dove Springs yesterday and could hear the power lines crackling a quarter mile away. Per the GND, they’re building more every day; tens of thousands of solar panels are going up right now between Blythe and Desert Center, CA. Do you want to camp under or anywhere near that? Or your kids riding under or near them?

The American Sand Association and Ecologic recently scored a major victory at Pismo’s Oceano Dunes, litigating that the California Coastal Commission exceeded its authority by ordering the elimination of OHV use at the Oceano Dunes SVRA. Essentially, the CCC kicked OHVers off of their own land, and Yamaha OAI grants funded the ASA’s efforts to get that land back. Solar seas and windmill forests are permanent, so the only way to stop them is to make sure they’re never built. Find out more about the ASA on their website at www.americansandassociation.org. Thanks, ASA, and there’s much more sand-land to save from fences and power lines in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.

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