We need all the help we can get these days when it comes to public lands advocacy. Because wolves, barbarians, or whatever enemies you consider them to be, are definitely at the door.
From representatives of Congress to attacks on public lands within the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Land Management, or the Department of Agriculture, to even our own so-called “advocacy groups,” almost everyone seems bent on selling, eliminating, or giving away the lands we use to off-road, snowmobile, hunt, fish, hike, climb, camp, and otherwise recreate. However, almost is the operative word.
A few weeks ago, we reported on the partnership of BRP – parent company of Can-Am, Ski-Doo and Sea-Doo – and Trade Lightly! — a trail access and off-road advocacy group — is working together for the “Drive 35” program, which sought to train 1,000 people to be better stewards and be on the trails. The idea was that BRP would donate $35 for every person who completed a series of courses, and the funds would go to Trade Lightly! The outreach initiative will go toward trail cleanup and general off-road advocacy. Well, they completed that challenge and Trade Lightly! is set to donate $35,000 to the U.S., which is cause for celebration.
But even better, BRP announced it will be giving another 1,000 people the chance to help fund conservation and donate an additional $35,000.
“We are proud to partner with Trade Lightly on the Drive 35 campaign and are excited to see the powersports and outdoor recreation community rally behind responsible riding and leadership,” says Alice Ouvachez Milot, vice president of public affairs, government relations and corporate sustainability at BRP. Press releaseAdding, “Reaching this first milestone reflects the passion riders have for protecting the places they love to visit, and we look forward to supporting even more projects through the next phase of the campaign.”
And if you’ve caught that last line, you’ll be amazed, as I mentioned above, BRP and tread lightly! Not stopping at the first $35,000.
A program to inspire the next 1,000 people to walk light! With courses already underway, BRP said it will donate an additional $35 per course, setting a goal for another 1,000 courses, bringing the total to $70,000 for conservation efforts. Again, at this inflection point we definitely need something.
James Boyd of Trade Lightly said, “The success of the Drive 35 campaign shows that recreationists care deeply about access and safety to our shared outdoor spaces.” Executive Director, “Thanks to BRP’s commitment and the participation of riders across the country, these educational courses are helping to directly fund meaningful management projects that will benefit outdoor enthusiasts for years to come.”
You Trade Lightly! can sign up for Responsible Rider Masterclass Through the advocacy group’s website now and help donate some more money to BRP to ensure we all have public access to off-road trails for years to come.
