This past week several SFWDA volunteers met with the National Forest Service Ranger and Engineering Manager representative; Valencia Morris regarding the design and construction parameters in building new trails at Beasley Knob OHV area.
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Conservation
The National Forests in North Carolina have announced that they will host a workshop on September 18, 2014, to address management of non-motorized and motorized recreation trails across the Uwharrie National Forest. The meeting will be held 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Garner Center, 210 Burnette St., Troy, North Carolina.
Bob Yarbrough will continue to represent SFWDA within the TN Commissioner's Council on Greenways and Trails - RTP grant program through 2015.
The park managers at GMP wanted everyone to know that they will be open for the "Blaze & Cleanup Day" all weekend long and that all camping and RV utilities will be available on a first come first served basis.
Join Southern and our initiative to promote and conserve access to Off Road trails while we simultaneously enhance trail access at GMP for SFWDA Events by increasing the number of trails that can be tackled by everyday rigs. Saturday, August 23rd at 9am.
United Four Wheel Drive Associations Inc. (UFWDA) were delighted to award their 2014 Environmental Affairs Four Wheeler of the Year Award to Chris Brower of the Carolina Trail Blazers Club (a Southern Four Wheel Drive Association and UFWDA member club) to recognize on an international level, the significant achievements of individuals to recreational four wheeling.
GBR and SFWDA have agreed to participate with 2200 work hours that will eliminate two dead end trails and add 3.5 miles to the system in the next few years!
Thanks a lot for your help and for the help from Southern and all of the OHV volunteers we appreciate it a lot!!!!"
Your Association Introduces the - SFWDA GRANT Program
The Southern Four Wheel Drive Association Board of Directors approved during the on-line meeting on April 21, 2014 the introduction of the SFWDA Grant Program. This new initiative by your association has been established for the benefit of its members and their OHV areas, both public and private. The SFWDA Grant initiative is our largest annual project committing a significant portion of the association net income to this program. The SFWDA Grant initiative supports the membership and regional projects focused on our core missions – Conservation, Education and Recreation.
The grant funding will be $5,000 maximum per grant project and requires a cost sharing portion from the requesting party in order to qualify. SFWDA has committed $30,000 in 2014 to fund this first year of the Grant Program. The decision process includes the application process; Grant scoring based on the goals and scope of the project; and a commitment to maintain best operating practices for a period of three years. Additionally SFWDA will post signage designating the project as a SFWDA Grant project. The application and decision framework for the program is posted on our association web page at www.sfwda.org.
Additionally the SFWDA Grant can be used as part of the matching funding requirements of the state Recreational Trails Program in your home state. As part of our development of the SFWDA Grant Program, your association has detailed the available RTP funding by state and the appropriate links to the RTP sites for additional information. This information is included in the SFWDA Grant application document.
SFWDA recently awarded our first Grant to the Friends of Uwharrie (www.friendsofuwharrie.org) and the Carolina Trail Blazers (www.carolina-trailblazers.org) for Gravel Access Road improvements within and to the Uwharrie National Forest. The SFWDA Grant will purchase 125 tons of gravel to be applied by a U.S. Forest Service Contractor during the annual maintenance of these roads. This grant addresses access issues of OHV, hikers, kayakers, fishermen, bird watchers, mountain bikers and equestrian users of this valuable national land asset. Additionally, SFWDA has offered a challenge to the office of The Honorable Richard Hudson, Member of Congress, 8th District to match our grant award and address the needs of his constituents.
Future projects will include Tread Lightly training and educational segments; trail development on OHV private lands; access and trail improvements within both public and private areas; trail maintenance; site improvements including restrooms, etc.; and other great ideas from you, the members of SFWDA.
We are pleased to share this tool with you, the supporting members of SFWDA, and empower you with a funding mechanism to address critical projects in your home areas. Please work with your public and private land partners to create a dynamic result and address critical conservation, education and/or recreation needs to continue growing our OHV sport.
Please feel free to direct any questions to Ray Stanley, ray.stanley@sfwda.org; Brian Overly, brian.overly@sfwda.org; or Flint Holbrook, flint.holbrook@sfwda.org.
TN OHV Day on the Hill is a Success