Tread Lightly news

Tread Lightly! News Release

Contact: Monica Clay, (801) 699-9429, monica@treadlightly.org OR National Forest Foundation, Kimberley Collins (850) 321-5549

TREAD LIGHTLY! RECOGNIZED FOR PROVIDING SOLUTIONS TO KEY FOREST SERVICE THREAT

(June 24, 2005) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Because Tread Lightly!® is successfully identifying solutions to a key threat to US Forest System Lands, the National Forest Foundation highlighted the organization in the US Forest Service Centennial Celebration in Washington D.C. today.

The National Forest Foundation brought together four partners to discuss the four major threats identified by Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth as having the greatest impact on the health of our Nation’s forests and grasslands. The four threats are fire and fuels, invasive species, loss of open space and unmanaged recreation.

The nonprofit Tread Lightly! has been recognized for its aid in confronting the threat of unmanaged recreation—-especially regarding the use of motorized vehicles on public land.

The organization has developed a variety of educational materials, training opportunities, communication pieces and restoration initiatives to allow government employees to better manage recreation. It focuses its efforts on motorized and mechanized recreation.

"It’s a honor to have Tread Lightly! highlighted as a partner actively engaged in collaborating to implement solutions to the threat of unmanaged recreation," said Lori Davis, Tread Lightly!’s executive director.

One of the fastest growing forms of outdoor recreation involves the use of motorized vehicles or OHVs, having risen sevenfold in less than three decades – from about 5 million in 1972 to almost 36 million in 2000 on National Forest System lands alone, cited Davis.

"Ensuring our natural resources survive intact for future generations is an immense challenge," said Davis. "Sustaining recreation into the future will require continued smart, flexible and visionary management and the need to nurture and grow collaborative partnerships."

Specifically, Davis discussed Tread Trainer™, a "train-the-trainer" program which trains government employees, safety instructors, organization leaders and outdoor enthusiasts to train others about responsible recreation practices.

A "train-the-trainer" program was a primary recommendation in the conclusions of the Forest Service’s OHV study conducted this past year.

Also recognized at the centennial celebration was Marshal Case from the American Chestnut Foundation addressing invasive species, Kathy DeCoster from the Trust for Public Land addressing loss of open space, and Diane Snyder from Wallowa Resources addressing fire and fuels.

"Today’s event clearly demonstrated how collaboration is the most important part of conserving our National Forests," said Bill Possiel, president of the National Forest Foundation. "Several members of the conservation community came together to recognize the Forest Service’s 100th year and to celebrate the power of collaboration."

The National Forest Foundation, who hosted the event, was chartered by Congress and engages America in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 192-million-acre National Forest System. It also administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests.

Tread Lightly!(R) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Tread Lightly!’s strategic educational message, along with its training and restoration initiatives are designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with the needs of the environment. Tread Lightly! offers unique programs and services to help remedy current recreation issues. In 2003, the federal government recognized this by acknowledging Tread Lightly! as a sole-source service provider of education and training on how to be environmentally and socially responsible while using motorized and mechanized vehicles in off-highway settings.

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RCRC is a member organization in Tread Lightly.  Bob Sullivant (50willys on this board) is a certified Tread Trainer and RCRC member.