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-Calling all Volunteers in NC; Uwharrie National Forest Upcoming Work Day with the USFS Jan. 28, 9am

A quick note from  Theresa Stevens Savery (Terry), on behalf of the National Forests in North Carolina, Uwharrie National Forest

Uwharrie is one of the few remaining public trail systems in the eastern US. 

   Hi Everyone – I wanted to send out the message about the January 28th Work Day. We’ll meet at 9 am at the Uwharrie Hunt Camp. We’ll work on armoring several wet areas on the trails with rock from Cotton Place TH, Dutch John TH and from sources on the trail. We’ll also put up some short sections of guardrail or the old log barricades up. If you have a trail trailer, pickup truck or other vehicle that can be used to haul rip-rap, large gravel, posts and guardrail please bring it that weekend. Also, if you’re chainsaw certified please bring your PPE and saw, etc. because we might not get out to the trails before then and with the storm this weekend we might have some trees come down on the trails. 

 Thank you everyone for your continued support. I appreciate it very much. Bye - Terry


Theresa Stevens Savery (Terry),
MS Forest Resources / Watershed Management
District Recreation Staff Supervisor
Forest Service
National Forests in North Carolina, Uwharrie National Forest
p: 910-576-6391 x102
c: 910-975-0274
f: 910-576-4171
tsavery@fs.fed.us
789 NC Hwy 24/27 East Troy, NC 27371
 
www.fs.fed.us

Caring for the land and serving people

Some photos taken from a recent work day cleanup in 2016. These events are all about volunteers working to ensure our trail access is preserved. being proactive and preventative. Working cooperatively as enthusiasts with the USFS. 

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USFS Foothills Landscape Collaboration Workshop - Jan 31 & Feb 1, Dahlonega

From an email blast communicated by our friends at the USFS.  This is an open invite for anyone looking to get more involved. 

Join SFWDA and the USFS for the first of four collaboration workshops focused on developing a plan that will be used to create a proposed action for the Foothills Landscape. This is a great opportunity to share your views, discuss ideas, and interact with other members of the collaboration community and Forest Service employees -- a time to roll up our sleeves and really get down to work.

From the USFS;

We have had quite a jam-packed fall on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The unseasonably dry weather has kept us busy fighting wildfires up north and attending to insect outbreaks down south. These pressing demands demonstrate even more that the need has never been greater for strategic, holistic, large-scale and long-range planning for a healthy, resilient forest. And we can't do it alone.

The Community Conversations this past fall gave us an overview of the attitudes, values and beliefs of community members. Now, looking forward, we need to begin to design on-the-ground actions that address the widespread resource challenges in an integrated way and on a scale that results in enduring impacts. 

What to Expect Next: 

Collaborative Workshops

We are planning four workshops before the end of August. These workshops will be focused on developing a plan that will be used to create a proposed action for the Foothills Landscape. This is a great opportunity to share your views, discuss ideas, and interact with other members of the collaboration community and Forest Service employees -- a time to roll up your sleeves and really get to work!

Our first upcoming workshop:

January 31st and February 1st

Lumpkin County Parks and Rec Community Center located at 365 Riley Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533
 

 

Learning and Sharing

Please take a moment to check out the thoughtful comments and robust discussions shared during the recent Community Conversations at www.tinyurl.com/FoothillsLandscape. The online forum for comments, discussions and sharing pictures worked so well during the Community Conversations we are going to use it again. In between the workshops you will be able to start discussions, post ideas and add comments on the restoration goals, treatment locations, and methods of treatment.

Also, share this update with others and encourage them to sign up to receive emails on the collaborative effort. 

Thank you for helping make sure we are working together to do the right work in the right places for the right reasons.

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

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​Our 14th Annual Trailfest 2017 ticket sales are about to launch. Be sure to book early to increase your chance to win a winch!

Our streamlined new Trailfest 2017 Registration is setup, has been tested, and is ready to launch.

Live Friday morning; (1-20-17) at 8am Eastern. 

Before that happens I wanted everyone to know we have a really special prize to give away from our friends at Warn, but it will only be offered to those who register online.

With our Ticket Multiplier this year the earlier you book the better your odds of winning.

Book your tickets online and qualify to win this exclusive Warn Winch raffle prize. 

Warn Industries has graciously contributed a brand new shiny WARN® ZEON® 10-S Winch kit. Thats one of their top winches with a 10,000 lb rating, complete with remote, 100' of synthetic cable, aluminumm fairlead, hook and all.  
https://www.warn.com/truck/winches/ZEON_10-S.jsp

 

 

 

 

These exclusive Warn Raffle Tickets will be distributed with your ticket purchase to each paid driver admission purchased online;

4x tickets to first 50, 3x to first 100, and 2x to first 200, and 1x for all the rest online.

 There is no way to buy these tickets and they will not be available at the event, so register online and do it early.  


Stay tuned for more details....https://www.sfwda.org/trailfest
 

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Special Rates at Holiday Inn Express in Kimball, TN for TrailFest 2017!

Located in Kimball, TN Just a few miles from the parks entrance at AOP. 

 The last few years we have partnered with IHG Properties. This great partnering provides a special SFWDA members only rate at the Holiday Inn Express in Kimball, TN.

 This is the featured hotel of The Adventure Off Road Park or AOP and TrailFest 2017. Conveniently located just down the road from the parks entrance. 

Our discounted rate applies year round and will allow you to book without and cancellation penalty. Book online today using the link below or call direct and mention your SFWDA Membership for the discount. 

 

Holiday Inn Express - Kimball
300 Battlecreek Road
Kimball, TN 37380
(423) 837-1500   /   1-800-HOLIDAY
Front Desk Manager, Christeena Deford
kbltn@bellsouth.net

SFWDA Event Rates:  

  • King Size Bed$85*plus TAX  

  • Two Queen Size Beds$85*plus TAX

  • King Suite Room$95*plus TAX

*(book at this rate without any cancellation penalty)

Corporate Number: 786790826

Parking is always FREE!  Also have space available for parking trailers. 

Registration is still discounted until March 1st, but rooms may sell out sooner. Book both now and be sure to get in on the biggest TrailFest event yet! 


* Based upon availability.  Cannot be combined with any other discount(s).  Not guaranteed during other special events. 

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Check out the latest eddition of 4Low Off Road magazines' feature of Dixie Run 30

We made the cover)  

These guys joined us for the first time in Sparta but most likely not the last at our 30th annual event. Looks like they had a great time and hope to see more from them in the future. There's several great photo shots in side as well as some coverage of other local off-road parks and events in our area. Get your copy here; https://www.magzter.com/US/4LOW-Offroad-Magazine/4LOW-Offroad-Magazine/Automotive/

Centerfold shot too!  

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Joint Club Initiative to collect Essentials for victims of the Gatlinburg fires

 These fires in Gatlinburg have devastated many Sevier County, TN residents, many of which are members and friends of our Association. 

 What can we do? Great question....
 SFWDA has been working all day along with several local Tennessee OHV clubs collectively to help out.

 How you may ask.....
 Together we will strive to provide neccasary essentials to those in need. It takes more than an idea, it takes your effort. Red Cross established shelters in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge where well over 1,300 people have gathered to seek refuge.

 This is also why today we took immediate action to begin a campaign of collecting essential items for the victims of these ongoing Gatlinburg fires. As of now Jeeps & Wrenches, Mule Town Jeepers, Stones River Jeep Club, and Smoky Mountain Jeep Club along with others are actively collecting essentials supplies which together we will be delivering to one of the primary shelters in the county.

 Throughout the rest of the week we urge you to connect with one or more of these clubs in effort to do what you can to help. In addition we will be collecting the essentials at our upcoming Annual Meeting on December 3rd at the Double Tree Hotel in Oak Ridge, TN.  Between the hours of 9am-3pm you can stop by and drop off any of the items listed below in the hotel lobby at our collection table. 

 Once we conclude and combine all of our efforts we will deliver these essential items directly to the shelter. If you can, please take a moment to connect with your local club reps attending our Annual Meeting to relay these hard goods, and / or join us at the Double Tree on Saturday. These people can certainly use the help and it's moments like this where we truly shine as OHV enthusiasts. Let's do our part to help when we can.

 Below, is a list of the essentials that the shelters are requesting at the moment. It may be up to 5 days before they can make their way back home if they even have one. 

UPDATE ; 

 There are now several additional collection points which have joined forces with SFWDA and others to collect essentials. Off Road Mafia in Woodstock, GA and JeepHut in Jasper, GA, Highland Expedition Outfitters (HEO) are also collecting at there shops. Ohio River Four Wheelers in Kentucky is collecting for folks on our norther reach.

 It is reported at this time consumables are still needed; such as diapers, toilet paper, baby wipes, clothing, hygiene items, as well as cases of Gatorade, and individual pre-wrapped snacks are still being accepted in highest demand at the shelters for both victims and first responders alike.  The outpouring of support has been amazing. We sincerely appreciate everyone's help. 

You can drop off any of these essential goods at the Double Tree Hotel.
We'll have a collection in the lobby this Saturday, Dec. 3rd between 9am-3pm in Oak Ridge, TN.

 

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2016 BOD Elections - Description of Duties & Obligations

These are the upcoming openings to be elected at our Annual Meeting. Each of these positions are a 2 year volunteer term; Vice President, Secretary, Director of Legislative Affairs, and Director of Public Relations for 2017-2018 will be elected.

 The attached PDF document below will illustrate according to our current by-laws the standard duties & obligations of each of the four positions open for election this year. 

 To be selected to one of these position please submit your contact info below and we will include your name on the ballot. We will conduct a live election during our Annual Meeting on December 3, 2016 in Oak Ridge, TN. Those unable to attend can still submit and participate online though our webinar electronically. You may also vote online at the same live moment that we  process the election of each position. 

Below is the link for more details on the meeting including a link to our Webinar, to register and participate if you are unable to join us in person at the Double Tree hotel. 

Meeting Details

Webinar Registration

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SFWDA wishes everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving

A short poem from your
Southern Four Wheel Drive Association....... 

"Thanksgiving Delights"

On Thanksgiving Day we're thankful for
Our blessings all year through,
For family we dearly love,
For good friends, old and new.
For sun to light and warm our days,
For stars that glow at night,
For trees of green and skies of blue,
And puffy clouds of white.
We're grateful for our eyes that see
The beauty all around,
For arms to hug, and legs to walk,
And ears to hear each sound.
The list of all we're grateful for
Would fill a great big book;
Our thankful hearts find new delights
Everywhere we look!
- By Joanna Fuchs

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SFWDA Board of Directors Nominations are now open....

Would you like to be a part of the SFWDA Board of Directors team? We want you! Nominations are now open.

We are currently requesting nominations for 4 positions. All members are invited and encouraged to become more involved. This is one of the best ways to do it. Please send us an email or reply to the post below for nominations.

These are the upcoming openings to be elected at our Annual Meeting. Each of these positions are a 2 year volunteer term; Vice President, Secretary, Director of Legislative Affairs, and Director of Public Relations for 2017-2018 will be elected.

Our meeting will be held December 3rd in Oak Ridge, Tennessee but everyone can participate online as well.

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Grant initiative is our largest annual project committing a significant portion of the association net income

What does your association do with our proceeds?
First and foremost our goal is to provide Grants to our members.

Volunteers hard at work at one of our completed projects. Spreading gravel funded by SFWDA grants in the Uwharrie National Forest, NC. 

 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. 

Since inception we have completed a variety of new projects at local parks and trails we can all enjoy for years to come. 

Established members are not only welcome but encouraged to utilize this valuable benefit. 

Learn More....  http://www.sfwda.org/grants

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