20 Nov Tread Lightly! and Omix-ADA Form Partnership to Raise Funding to Support Public Lands Access and Sustainable Recreation Opportunities

OGDEN, UT – Tread Lightly! is excited to announce a new partnership with Omix-Ada Inc. Omix-Ada is one of the world’s largest full line independent manufacturers of aftermarket parts and accessories made especially for Jeep®, Truck and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). Some of Omix’s brands include: Rugged Ridge, Alloy USA, Precision Gear, Outland Automotive and a new retail website, DriveOffRoad.com. Tread Lightly! is considered the nation’s premiere outdoor ethics organization and, with its partners, leads a national effort to protect recreation access and opportunities by promoting ethics education and stewardship programs.

Funded primarily by the private sector, partnerships with corporations like Omix-Ada provide Tread Lightly! the ability to develop materials and services that help both public land managers and private land owners manage outdoor recreation sustainably. Omix-Ada has joined Tread Lightly! as an Official Partner at the highest level, a Platinum Partner, which requires a minimum investment of $50,000. The company is generously providing these funds to support the administration of Tread Lightly!’s educational efforts and promotion of responsible recreation nationwide.

“We are excited about the possibilities this partnership holds,” said Lori McCullough, Tread Lightly!’s executive director. “In addition to Omix-Ada’s initial investment, Tread Lightly! and Omix have entered into an agreement to develop a private label program to raise additional funds. Through the sale of Tread Lightly! branded merchandise, Omix will dedicate a percentage of proceeds from all sales to Tread Lightly!’s ‘Restoration for Recreation’ program.”

Unique by design, Restoration for Recreation was created to generate voluntary funding from the private sector and match it with funding from public agencies to help restore habitat and/or maintain or improve trails, recreation facilities and access.

“We strongly believe in carrying Tread Lightly’s message to the public and encouraging public lands users in ways that the environment and recreational activities, such as Jeeping and off-highway vehicle use, can coexist,” said Al Azadi, president of Omix-Ada. “These efforts require financial backing to complement the stewardship efforts put forth by enthusiasts. The Omix team is excited to be able to do our part. Conserving the natural beauties of America’s public lands for future generations to enjoy, while protecting vital business interests of our industry and our customers, is priceless!”

“This partnership couldn’t be more timely given the draconian budget cuts to recreation programs at the federal, state and local levels,” said McCullough. “Omix’s commitment to their core customer, the off-highway vehicle community, as well as the rest of the recreation community is remarkable and appears to be opening doors for similar type of programs for other manufacturers and retailers within the outdoor recreation industry.”