Russ Ehnes Transitioning Out Of Position As NOHVCC Executive Director

“Great Falls, MT, January 12, 2017 — The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) announced today that Russ Ehnes has expressed his intent to leave his position as Executive Director, effective June 1st, 2017. Ehnes, who has held that position for nearly 20 years, will be shifting gears to other opportunities in off-highway vehicle recreation, including managing the Bull Run Guest Ranch, near Great Falls, Montana.

by Karen Umphress | Jan 12, 2017”

— http://www.nohvcc.org/Resources/news/2017/01/13/RussEhnesResignation

Russ Ehnes
NOHVCC's Executive Director

 “I am still fully committed to the mission of NOHVCC, and extremely proud of what we have all managed to accomplish,” said Ehnes. “NOHVCC is in a great position right now. Its mission has incredible momentum, with many positive initiatives, thanks to a large and energetic team effort by the NOHVCC staff and Board of Directors. The initiatives include the “Great Trails” resource book, Great Trails Workshops, trail design projects of NOHVCC Management Solutions (NMS), and our partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on its National Motorized Recreation Action Plan.

 “I’m extremely proud and privileged to have worked with an incredible staff and board, who are dedicated to making the NOHVCC vision come true. I will still be involved in NOHVCC and keep contributing where the skill sets I have developed over the past 20 years can be put to good use. And, of course, I’ll remain engaged in off-highway vehicle (OHV) activism at the State and local level.”  

NOHVCC will begin the search for a new executive director in the near future in order to provide a smooth transition and allow for continuity with its many OHV enthusiast, club, industry and agency partners. 

Read the full press release

SFWDA Welcomes members to join the NOHVCC for 3rd Annual - TN OHV Day on the Hill

2016 OHV Day on the Hill -
Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Photo from our 2015 TN OHV Day on the Hill 

 The concept of this day is for various groups representing motorized OHV recreation to come together at the Tennessee State Capitol "On the Hill" to promote and discuss Off Highway Vehicle areas on public lands across the state. Michelle Russell of the NOHVCC is spearheading this event and leading the discussions.

 Previously attending were members of the ATV/side by side, dirt bike and full size four wheel drive communities, making voices heard to promote and discuss off highway recreation areas on public lands in the state. 

 Groups represented were NOHVCC, Mountain Trail Riders, Southern Four Drive Association, and supporters of the Coalmont project. Southern Four Wheel Drive Association was represented by Past Presidents Bob Yarbrough and Gary Parsons and long time Dixie Run Coordinator Greg Griffith. Knox Off Road and Franklin County Off Road Club along with Mountain Trail Riders and NOHVCC had tables set up to promote awareness of motorized ohv recreation. Also, a huge THANK YOU goes to Michelle Russell for spearheading this event and leading the discussions. (If I left anyone out I apologize.)

Schedule of Day's Events

7:30am - Booth setup in War Memorial Building near legislative hearing rooms
8:00-9:15am - OHV Roundtable in Senate Chamber, 2nd Floor Capitol
9:15-9:45am - Lt Gov Ron Ramsey welcome, Senate Chamber
9:45-10:00am - Speaker Beth Harwell welcome, Senate Chamber
10:00 - 3:00pm - Visit legislators, committee hearings, OHV booths
3:00 - Booth breakdown
Optional * 11:00 & 1:00 - Capitol Building Tour (first come, first served)

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Highlights from Last Year:

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TN Capital Building "On the Hill"

 On April 7th, 2015 Tennessee hosted it's second annual TN OHV Day on the Hill where representatives of various motorized recreation groups (off-roading) came to the capitol to enjoy the end of session legislative fun, meet with state elected officials and gathered in the awe-inspiring senate chambers for updates and discussion on several significant projects across the state.

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Lt. Govenor Ron Ramsey

  Special welcome from Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey & Speaker Beth Harwell.
Current legislation. HB1104/SB1003 creates a nine member board that will recommend to the legislature, at the beginning of next session (by Jan 1, 2016), a course of action for the following: Creating a statewide, self-funded TN OHV safety and training program, creating an inventory of TN public land available for OHV use, as well as potential opportunities, and when coming up with these recommendations, investigate how other states are doing it well.
Presentation by Bob Yarbrough, TN Greenways & Trails OHV representative, on his recent study of the economic impact numbers from several offroading events in the state. Mind blowing.
Updates on several big projects: Doe Mountain, Coalmont and Aetna Mountain Adventures.
Great club success stories, like Mountain Trail Riders Association and Franklin County Offroad Club.
Leadership updates from NOHVCC-Tennessee and Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA).

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2014 - TN OHV Day on the Hill 

This is a great event for youngsters to attend with their parents and experience their state capitol at work. Last year, NOHVCC-Tennessee Associate Partner Joey Blevins brought his grandson Caleb to the event. So great to see the next generation of OHV leaders starting early!

Spring 2016 Marshall University OHV Scholarship

Applications due December 27th, 2015. Classes begin January 11th, 2016.

NOHVCC is once again proud to administer a scholarship for a semester of the Marshall University OHV Recreation Management program.

The spring semester OHV Recreation Management courses are PLS 451/551: Planning and Design of OHV Parks; and PLS 453/553: Operation and Management of OHV Trails Systems. The information in these courses can be invaluable for both agency personnel as well as for enthusiasts. The winner of the scholarship will be able to choose 1 of the 2 offered courses for this spring's semester.

This semester's scholarship is being offered by the Right Rider Access Fund. The applications are due in to the NOHVCC office on December 27th, 2015. NOHVCC will review the applications and choose a winner in the shortest amount of time possible. Spring courses begin January 11th.

Information about all 4 courses, including how to register for the courses is on the NOHVCC website at:www.nohvcc.org/Education/MarshallU.aspx

For more information regarding the scholarship or to receive an application, contact NOHVCC staff attrailhead@nohvcc.org.

For additional information regarding the content of the course, contact Theresa Litteral M.S. at stanton3@live.marshall.edu . 

The Right Rider Access Fund is a charitable, community benefit organization created in 2011 to support off-highway vehicle enthusiasts directly; by supplementing the work of the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association; and in other ways. The Fund's charitable mission is to promote the safe and responsible use of off-highway vehicles and to preserve their access to appropriate lands.

Additional information on ORBA can be found at www.ufwda.org  and www.orba.biz.

Proof of concept validated, BLM & OHV together

​ Check out this article I found today which reads to inspire and prove that we are on the right path.

This Utah “Win-Win” Is Good For OHV Riders And The BLM

By Dave Halsy, NOHVCC Contributing Writer

Off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders need trails. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) needs volunteers to help sign and maintain trails. A BLM recreation technician coordinates volunteer projects. OHV riders show up and help get the job done. 

That’s a common success story at BLM Field Offices. 

In Utah, they’ve taken that win-win scenario to the next level: The hours OHV riders volunteer on trail projects help pay the salary of the BLM Rec. Tech. 

Full story....

http://www.nohvcc.org/Materials/Newsletter/news03-2014?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=NOHVCC+News%2C+March+2014+edition&utm_campaign=20140327_m119752378_March+2014+Newsletter&utm_term=Read+more#volunteers