2024 The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council Year in Review
It has been another busy and exciting year for the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC). We had a great mix of new opportunities and continued partnerships that provided NOHVCC with the means to continue providing a positive future for OHV Recreation.
Supporters:
- NOHVCC would not be able to exist without generous support from contributions from grant programs and supporters. This year NOHVCC wishes to especially thank:
- Right Rider Access Fund: A grant fund that is funded and administered by MIC/SVIA/ROHVA
- Fox Factory Trail Trust Program
- Polaris Industries
NOHVCC Welcomes New Project Manager:
- In August of 2024, the NOHVCC welcomed a new Project Manager to the team. Many may know Tom Metsa from his previous role at Colorado State Parks and a long-time partner to NOHVCC. To read more about his press release please visit our website here: Meet NOHVCC’s Newest Project Manager, Tom Metsa – NOHVCC
NOHVCC Launches New Website:
- 2024 brought a lot of changes to the NOHVCC none no smaller than the new and refreshed NOHVCC website. NOHVCC started working with Earthdiver Partner Services based out of Utah in the early part of 2024 and was able to launch the new website in October. Users will see a new fresh look, easier searching capabilities and will still be able to connect with their state resources at the click of a button.
Great Trails:
- Great Trails Workshops and resources continue to be extremely popular among OHV enthusiasts and land managers across the country. The Great Trails Programs teaches OHV stakeholders how to plan, develop, and maintain high quality OHV recreation experiences that balance the riders' needs with the resource protection. NOHVCC has delivered over 50 Great Trails Workshops since 2015 in all parts of the country. NOHVCC also assists land managers and volunteers with on the ground expertise and consultation by applying Great Trails concepts to local trail and facility projects that benefit OHV enthusiasts. Workshops were held in:
Annual Conference:
- The NOHVCC Annual conference was held in Minneapolis, MN with over 120 people in attendance. This year's conference was held in two locations at the Polaris Headquarters. (Wyoming, MN and Maple Grove, MN) Attendees included NOHVCC State Partners, OHV Program Administrators, Federal Land Managers, other OHV focused NGOs, and OHV stakeholders. The NOHVCC conference is a one-of-a-kind experience for NOHVCC State Partners and other participants. This conference allows for the sharing of best management practices in OHV management, trail management, and public/government relations. This conference has been highlighted by many OHV enthusiasts as an extremely valuable event in continuing successful OHV operations. Without funding from our partners and sponsors NOHVCC will not be able to continue providing this extremely valuable educational event.
- A mobile workshop featuring a riding tour and facility tour of the Polaris Research and Test Facility in Wyoming, MN was held leading up to the conference with over 100 people in attendance.
- Other topics discussed during the conference include managing OHV sound, educating you and new riders, volunteer recruitment and retention, OHV program management, OHV grants, Insurance of OHV clubs, and much more. To find a recap of these presentations please visit our website here.
- NOHVCC would like to thank the 2024 Annual Conference Sponsors; Polaris, Right Rider Access Fund, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Land Access Consulting, Fox Trail Trust, Federal Highways Administration, Earthdiver Partner Services, American Motorcyclist Association, Treadlightly! and Kawasaki
Left Hand Canyon Project- Colorado:
- The Boulder Ranger District has partnered with NOHVCC to help convene a series of meetings to help with the future planning of a Forest Service multi-use trail system near Boulder, Colorado. This project was funded through a grant from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife's OHV Grant Program and Right Rider Access Fund. This funding has been used to pay for an independent, third-party facilitator to help engage a diverse group of stakeholders to help with planning efforts that will shape the future vision of the trail system
- The stakeholders have met four times to discuss the future and how the 2006 decision can be implemented. This group has discussed how aspects of education, engineering, policies and enforcement could be used to better manage this trail system to help with issues and conflicts. This concluded the grant funded scheduled meetings.
Partnerships:
- As always partnerships with other OHV focused organizations and land managers continue to be a focus for NOHVCC. Without leveraging partnerships NOHVCC would not be able to achieve nearly as much as we do. NOHVCC places a high value on these partnerships and the services we offer to our customers because of these partnerships.
- Bureau of Land Management
- NOHVCC continues its partnership in the project of BLM Listening Sessions. This year's focus was Alaska. NOHVCC held 3 in-person meetings in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Glenallen. In conjunction with the in-person meetings NOHVCC and BLM held 2 virtual listening sessions in December of 2024. NOHVCC will have a draft report to the BLM in the early part of January of 2025 with publishing to happen shortly after to the public.
- Current planning is occurring for the 1st Annual Sand Dune Summit to be held in Utah in November of 2025 with NOHVCC assisting the BLM in completion of this project.
- Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition
- NOHVCC coordinated the COHVCO Annual Workshop in Glenwood Springs, CO. This workshop featured approx. 80 attendees from across the State of Colorado who manage or maintain OHV opportunities. Those organizations in attendance included Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, local non-government organizations, OHV club members, among others. To read the recap of this workshop please visit our website here: The Annual COHVCO Workshop and Training was held in September in Glenwood Springs, CO
NOHVCC Board
- NOHVCC implemented a new Strategic Plan to guide them over the next few years. The plan involves new initiatives that will enhance the ability to contribute to a positive future for OHV recreation as NOHVCC operates and evolves in an ever-changing environment. NOHVCC is actively pursing new initiatives that improve both its internal operations and ability to expand reach and influence externally.
- NOHVCC Board implemented some actions to better communicate and coordinate with State Partners and to ensure that NOHVCC have the active partners needed in the places needed. NOHVCC continued to encourage and support forming new clubs and state associations as well as making plans to revitalize any existing association in need. NOHVCC is exploring and developing enhanced methods of communication and new approaches to delivering content to those we support. Much of what NOHVCC is building has to do with communication that we need to best support the stakeholders that can contribute to a positive future for our recreational interests.
- The NOHVCC Board of Directors is unified in continuing NOHVCC's mission of creating a positive future for the off-highway vehicle recreation. This board is dedicated to educating the public on safe and ethical operation of off-highway vehicles.
- NOHVCC elected new board members in October of 2024. NOHVCC staff and Board of directors are very excited to see new leadership on the NOHVCC Board and look forward to these new board members brining fresh new perspectives and ideas as NOHVCC continues to provide a positive future for OHV recreation. Those joining the board or accepting a new role are:
- Network Development: Terry Lambert
- Private Lands: Ethan Hill
- Clubs and Associations: Brad Smith
- Member at-large: Peter Murch
- NOHVCC Board wishes to thank Danny Hale and Steve Newton for their dedication to the NOHVCC and the Board of Directors and look forward to continuing work with them as State Partners in the coming years
- Outreach to State Partners will continue in 2025
Activities conducted throughout the year:
- Distribution of over 50 NOHVCC Club Start-Up Kit to help OHV organizations get off the ground
- Distribution of materials and resources that reinforce safe and ethical use of OHVs
- Education of public on safety gear requirements for operation of OHVs
- Responded to hundreds of emails and phone calls from OHV enthusiasts and land mangers regarding sustainable, fun, safe and ethical OHV practices. Provided information, resources, and contacts that would address issues or questions presented.
2025 looks to be another busy and eventful year with numerous more Great Trails workshops, BLM projects and Annual Conference in Bend, Oregon in October of 2025. Continue to watch NOHVCCs website for more exciting news and opportunities for networking.