Sign up today; Unlimited Off Road Expo Volunteer Land Use Awareness Booth Volunteer

Sign up today for the Unlimited Off Road Expo Volunteer Land Use Awareness Booth Volunteer spots. 

Are you interested in the Unlimited Off Road Expo?

Would you like to help be a part of our mission to fight for our trails?

Can you help direct others how to become part of this team?

We want you to become a part of our Conservation, and Education Mission!

If you're available for as little as 4 hours; June 3-5 and can travel to Louisville, KY then join our SFWDA join Land Use Awareness Booth on the show floor and receive a free all access vendor pass to the event along a custom event polo shirt just for our volunteers. Sign up right now as a SFWDA booth Volunteer Representative at the UOR Expo (http://vols.pt/o89guy) on VolunteerSpot.

This 4 hour block on a 4 person team will handle the operations of the Joint Land Use Awareness booth. . Responsibilities will include talking to and interacting with attendants to support Land Advocacy. Distribute literature to folks as they pass by. Engage them by inviting a moment to watch, and learn from our featured educational videos.

We're using VolunteerSpot (the leading online Sign-up and reminder tool) to organize this event sign up.

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

1) Click this link to see our Sign-up on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/GTYWRa
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on VolunteerSpot.

Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

Book your Winching Techniques & Best Practices Hands-On Demo for Trailfest 2016!

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Introduction to, and Advanced Winching Techniques courses available on Saturday at Trailfest. 

Winching Techniques and Best Practices - This should a great learning experience for attendees on Saturday at Trailfest. Registration will open this evening and there will be a limit on each class so be sure book early, and if you haven't registered better get on it.

Join us for one of two free courses sponsored by SFWDA and the Uwharrie Off Road Training Center. 
These two courses will be taught by Michael Morrison who is a I4WDTA Certified Instructor, and a Tread Lightly Master Tread Trainer full of a wealth of knowledge and experience to share.

Our 9-11 AM Introduction to Winching Techniques & Best Practices will provide everybody with a hands on common best practices demonstration of gear, and safety equipment use. How to properly use accessory hardware like snatch blocks, tree saver, ropes, etc. This is for everyone who wants to learn the right way to use their winch safely and effectively.

This 1-3 PM Advanced Technical Winching Techniques & Best Practices is also a Hands On Course which will really push the limits and explore complex multi-point recovery scenarios as a group to tackle vechicle extractions using a single front bumper winch.

If this sounds interesting; Registration will open this evening and there will be a limit on each class so be sure book early, and if you haven't registered for Trailfest yet, better get on it. ‪#‎trailfest2016‬

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SFWDA & TNT's Inagural Tread Lightly! Awareness Workshop was a Success!

I wanted to catch everyone up on some of the details from this recent great event. Lot's of photos and short stories have been posted onto Facebook and Social Media but I wanted to summarize the day and post some photos here as well to enjoy, remember and enlighten. Hopefully you will be able to join us at our next Tread Lightly Awareness Workshop. 

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This Awareness Workshop was a 3-hour course that provided around 40 attendees with an totally free introduction to Tread Lightly! and it's principles. The workshop provides attendees with the history of the Tread Lightly organization and how to make individuals more situational aware, the know-how on minimizing your impact while recreating, and the outdoor ethic that will help sustain our trails for generations to come. 

 Club members from the South Carolina based Trick N Traction orchestrated the event from the beginning and SFWDA Sponsored it with a Grant which was awarded to TNT. Scott Fields, and Michael Morrison from the Uwharrie Off Road Training Center led the course. They both are nationally recognized I4WDTA Certified Instructors, and Tread Lightly Master Tread Trainers.  The course was very fun, concise and provide attendees with a breath of information to take back to their own individual clubs and trails to further spread the message. With slides shows and videos on the big screen the crowd was very engaged which led to some great candid responses and discussion amidst the focused curriculum. Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the event which was concluded on schedule with some raffle prizes from Warn, SFWDA, and Clemson 4WD Center, and more for all those who attended.  

Remember folks, these are our trails. Treat them accordingly or we will loose them. This goes for both public and private trails. No park owner wants trash and hazardous materials strewn through their property no more than the National Forest Service, BLM, or any other agency for that matter. This is why it's so important to practice, share, and never forget the Tread Lightly principles. These simple words mean so much more when you practice them routinely.  

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As always stay tuned to our message board and Facebook posts for the lasted events and news. We plan to do this event again in the future and next time it may be closer to you so stay tuned!

Till then; I'll See you on the Trail....

Walter Shafer
Southern Four Wheel Drive Association
System Administrator
Trailfest 2016 Coordinator

Season 2 of our Educational Video Series is Starting Now!

 Season 2 of our Educational Video Series
is Starting Now....

  Off Road Education is at the core of our association's directive. A strong emphasis of our core mission is placed on education. All OHV enthusiasts are encouraged to practice safe and courteous driving and proper vehicle use off road.

We work closely with certified instructors, and professional trainers within the region who teach the principles of Tread Lightly! and best practices for safe and effective off road driving.

This continuing series of videos discuss some of the most common and useful best practices of traveling off road and managing a variety of obstacles that you may be confronted with. Stay tuned for a 5 new titles in Season 2 featuring topics like " What to carry on a 1 day trail ride", safe operation of a High Lift jack and a Winch as well as How to avoid getting stuck and in an emergency "How to get unstuck". We will be releasing these videos monthly throughout the year beginning with our first title feature already out within this months newsletter. 

 These videos are created with idea that through proper Education we will all enjoy continued safe use and access of our trail systems. Produced through our Non-Profit Associations Grant Program which supports our core mission of Education, Conservation, and Recreation. Check out our website SFWDA.org to learn more get involved.

Wilderness First Aid Education Demonstration unveils at TrailFest 2016

Another exciting development is our new Education Initiative. This year you can learn about the basics of Wilderness First Aid hands-on with a demo of a real life scenario of how to handle a compound fracture leg while out trail riding miles from services. Led by a 30 year veteran EMT and member of Warner Robbins Jeep Club. Learn the basics of what do first, and what not to do ever, so that you can be better prepared in the event of a real emergency.
(Spots will be very limited and registration will be announced soon.)

Join SFWDA & Trick N Traction for our Free Inaugural Environmental Stewardship Initiative Workshop

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Attention All SFWDA Members;  

  Have you always wondered what Tread Lightly! was all about? Interested in finding out how you can do your part in preventing trail closures? Then join us for a three-hour workshop and our inaugural Tread Lightly! training event free for all members!

This Awareness Workshop is a 3-hour course that will provide attendees with an introduction to Tread Lightly! principles as decision making guidelines while enjoying the great outdoors in a safe and responsible manner. The workshop will provide you with situational awareness, the know-how on minimizing your impact while recreating, and the outdoor ethic that will help sustain our trails for generations to come.

 "The dream for Trick N Traction to host an Environmental Stewardship Initiative Workshop is a reality... The workshop will be conducted on March 19, 2016 at Duke Energy's Oconee World of Energy. We will open the doors at 11:00am for on site registration and start the three hour workshop at noon. A snack for everyone will be provided during a break around 1:15pm. We are pleased to partner with Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, Tread Lightly, Clemson 4Wheel Center and WARN to conduct this workshop. The focus of this workshop will be on the Tread Lightly principals. Uwharrie Off-Road Training Centers'; Scott Fields is a Tread Lightly Master Training. He will be leading the workshop based on Tread Lightly's three hour workshop outline. Note that we will only be able to accommodate the first 100 people to register for this exciting event."    - Al Sweeney (Trick N Traction 4WD Club)

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Event Details

COST =
There is NO COST for the event to all active SFWDA members. We will soon be launching an online registration and hope you can make it for this first time offering of a Tread Lightly Course Class sponsored by SFWDA.

WHERE =
Duke Energy's Oconee World of Energy,
7812 Rochester Hwy, Seneca, SC 29672

HOW =
Ensure your SFWDA Membership status is active, and when Online Registration Launches you can sign in and register at no charge, right here on our website. (Links will be provided)
You can also register in person at the event if space is still available but this event is limited to 100 attendees. 

WHEN = March 19, 2016 ( 12 Noon - 3 PM )

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  "We have hundreds of dollars worth of off road gear for door prizes donated by Clemson 4Wheel Center,  and WARN. SFWDA will also offer a pair of TrailFest 2016 Gift Certificates.  Sorry...  no WARN Winch because theTrail Fest Team beat me to it..."
 - Al Sweeney (Trick N Traction 4WD Club)

SFWDA delegates meet with the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to discuss current RTP projects plans for 2016

A number of SFWDA members had a very open dialogue today with the Recreational team from the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to discuss current RTP projects, plans for 2016 and facilitate the introductions of Jay Bird, Past President SFWDA and GBR, as our Georgia Co-Trails Representative; and Ken Sutz, long standing SFWDA and GBR member, as our Georgia Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Representative. As a critical OHV Stakeholder, we want to thank both Jay Bird and Ken Sutz for volunteering for these critical roles as Dave Logan moves on with new professional commitments with Omix-ADA (Rugged Ridge), one of our supporting SFWDA Business Members.

Dave Logan is retiring after a long term as Georgia RTP Representative

We also want to thank Dave Logan for his volunteer commitments since 2008 in representing the Georgia Bounty Runners and our association, SFWDA, in both of these roles. Dave has also been critical in the development of our SFWDA Educational Video series over the last few years and will continue to serve as a resource and adviser. Thank you Dave Logan for your service.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/conf/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5427592&width=full

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.