This article is the first in a series to introduce NOHVCC’s Issue Area Representatives. This article focuses on Private Lands. Future articles in the series will highlight the Representatives from the other issue areas.
Background
At its Annual Conference in Grand Rapids NOHVCC announced a restructuring of its Partner system. NOHVCC Teams have been replaced by an Issue Area Representative (IAR) structure. This structure is designed to make it easier for NOHVCC Partners and others in the OHV community to access the assistance of those with knowledge in a specific area of expertise to help create a positive future for OHV recreation. The current Issue Areas are Public Lands, Private Lands, Youth and Education and Clubs and Associations.
In short, IARs serve on the NOHVCC Board of Directors and can form ad hoc committees to provide you with the information and assistance you need.
Private Lands – Danny Hale
Danny Hale, Executive Director of the Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association (VASA), serves as the Private Lands IAR. As you might imagine, living, volunteering and working in the Northeast, Danny has extensive knowledge on all aspects of OHV recreation with an emphasis on issues regarding opportunities on private lands.
Vermont has no access to public land for OHV use which has allowed Danny to sharpen his skills on utilizing private property for motorized recreation. Private lands account for 85% of snowmobile opportunities in Vermont, so Danny has been able to translate his experience with that use to other forms of OHVs. Over the years Danny has honed a few basic concepts with which to approach a landowner. These concepts have contributed to VASA’s success. Local stewardship, honesty and the ability to avoid making promises that can’t be achieved are the basic tools Danny provides clubs.
Personally, Danny was born and raised in rural Vermont and always had a passion for motorized recreation. His grandfather, an avid snowmobiler, owned a dealership. As a result, Danny grew up on trails surrounded by ATVs, dirtbikes, snowmobiles and other machines. Nearly twenty years ago, Danny made the life-altering decision to quit smoking. With the money he saved by not smoking he bought an ATV, and everything has fallen into place from there. He started as a volunteer for VASA and took on leadership roles within the association. Eventually, Danny traded his volunteer status to join the staff as Trails Coordinator. Shortly after, he was promoted to Executive Director.
Danny has served NOHVCC as an Associate Partner, Partner and on the Board of Directors, and understands national-level OHV issues. Of his national involvement Danny says, “The truth is, we are all facing similar issues throughout the country and through networking opportunities comes ideas and support for us all to find solutions that work.”
If you are facing an issue related to private lands (or any of the other issue areas), all you need to do is contact NOHVCC at trailhead@nohvcc.org. NOHVCC staff will then put you in touch with the appropriate IAR who will work with you to make sure you get the help you need!