CYPRESS, Calif. – April 30, 2013 – Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., has received the 2013 National Trails Corporate Award from American Trails in recognition of its significant, sustained service to trails planning, implementation and recreation across the country.   American Trails is the only national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of trail interests and supporting cooperation and communication between all types of trail users today.

The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative GRANT program recently celebrated its fifth anniversary in funding projects serving the diverse needs of the OHV community.  To date, Yamaha has awarded more than 200 GRANTs and more than $2 million in funding and equipment in pursuit of the program’s mission of promoting safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable access.

“Yamaha is truly honored to be recognized by and to have received an award from American Trails,” said Mike Martinez, general manager, Yamaha ATV and SxS division.  “The goals and mission of Yamaha’s OHV Access Initiative are the blueprint for the work that has been accomplished via the program.  It is exciting to see the efforts of all involved recognized by an organization committed to trails on a national level.  Yamaha shares this award with the more than 200 individual GRANT recipients across the country.”

Also recognized at the American Trails International Symposium in Phoenix this week was repeat OHV Access Initiative GRANT award recipient Colorado’s Responsible Recreation Foundation for their “Stay the Trail” program.

“We want to take this opportunity to thank those in the OHV community, like the Responsible Recreation Foundation, who reach out for partnerships and resources to help ensure a safe and sustainable future for OHV riding,” said Steve Nessl, marketing manager for Yamaha’s ATV and SxS division. “Without the efforts of those on the ground — getting the job done each day — we wouldn’t see our mission become a reality.”

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.

About the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative
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), email OHVAccess@yamaha-motor.com or write to: Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Review Committee, 6555 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630-5101.