02 Feb Tread Lightly! Announces 25 Partner-Funded Stewardship Projects Across Nation

SALT LAKE CITY, February 2, 2016 – In one of the most ambitious Restoration for Recreation™ initiatives in its history, Tread Lightly! has awarded funding for 25 stewardship projects throughout the country.  The projects will capstone the celebration of Tread Lightly!’s 25 year anniversary.  Funding was made possible through a partnership with the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative, Federal Premium Ammunition, Bushnell and the Dallas Safari Club.

The initiative, named 25 for 25, includes projects in 18 states.  Each is spearheaded by Tread Lightly! members or agency partners, including enthusiast clubs, Boy Scout troops, nonprofits, and individuals.  All are expected to be completed by the end of summer, 2016. Off-highway trails, shooting ranges, campgrounds, hunting areas, and other sites will all benefit from the program.

Projects focus on strategies to keep recreational areas healthy, open and accessible, including educational signage, trail system expansion, trail resurfacing, volunteer cleanups, trail markers, fencing, ambassador materials, campground improvements, game pole and blind construction, public target shooting supplies, recycling collection, an educational film, erosion mitigation and trail repair.  Thousands of volunteer hours will be involved.

“We’ve never been involved in the completion of so many incredible projects in such a short amount of time,” said Tread Lightly!’s executive director, Lori McCullough.  “Thanks to our generous partners and the volunteers and organizers, we’re making a real difference in the quality of recreation in this country—all before summer is over!”

The 25 for 25 initiative is part of Tread Lightly!’s Restoration for Recreation program, which is designed to raise money from the private sector to protect and maintain recreation opportunities by restoring damaged areas and degraded trails into enjoyable recreation resources.

For descriptions of each project and ways to volunteer, go to treadlightly.org/projects.

About Tread Lightly!

Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible recreation through ethics education and stewardship programs. Tread Lightly!’s educational message, along with its unique training and restoration initiatives are strategically 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 our need to maintain a healthy environment.  Tread Lightly!’s award-winning materials, programs and services are solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing recreation issues. Individuals and businesses can commit to Tread Lightly! and protect outdoor access by becoming a member at www.treadlightly.org.