18 Mar Tread Lightly! announces continued support from the Ford Bronco Wild Fund to revamp Tread Trainer program

NORTH SALT LAKE, Utah (Mar 18, 2025) Tread Lightly!, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation through stewardship and educational programs, is announcing continued support from Ford Motor Company, through its Bronco Wild Fund to refresh Tread Lightly!’s signature Tread Trainer education course.

In 2003, a generous grant from Ford allowed Tread Lightly! to develop and launch Tread Trainer, an educational program that addresses the need for training related to outdoor ethics and the use of off highway vehicles (OHVs). Through Ford’s funding, Tread Lightly! developed a curriculum, training courses, educational activities, and online training to teach interested parties about Tread Lightly!, outdoor ethics, and best practices to minimize the impacts of OHVs and other recreational activities on the environment.

“Tread Trainer is foundational to Tread Lightly!’s mission to promote responsible recreation,” said Danielle McNiven, Tread Lightly! grants and education assistant director. “Through this program we have been able to educate thousands of people across the country, and beyond. We are very grateful to Ford and Bronco Wild Fund for their support, to not only launch this program, but to provide the resources to bring this training to a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.”

Since the launch of the program, over 2,000 trainers and hundreds of thousands of outdoor recreationists in every state have been educated, improving behavior, and increasing awareness of the importance of responsible outdoor recreation.

The funding from Bronco Wild Fund will support the creation of updated course materials, presentations, and Tread Trainer manual, providing up-to-date statistics and resources for a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts. These program enhancements will allow motorized recreationists to improve their knowledge and awareness of outdoor ethics as well as strengthen their understanding of how to minimize recreation impacts.

“Ford has long been committed to preserving public lands and treading lightly,” shared Natalie Simon, manager for enthusiast brand customer experiences. “Bronco Wild Fund makes good on the Ford promise to build a better world where everyone is free to move and pursue their dreams. We are looking forward to re-invigorating a program Ford helped start for the off-road community. Supporting programs like Tread Trainer helps expand education for responsible recreation, and in turn helps maintain access to public lands for generations to come.”

To learn more about Tread Lightly! and its upcoming stewardship projects, visit treadlightly.org. For more information on the Bronco Wild Fund visit sustainability.ford.com.

About Tread Lightly!
Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible recreation through stewardship programs and ethics education. 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.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

About Bronco Wild Fund
Bronco Wild Fund, a Ford Motor Company program, operates with a mission that begins with a deep respect for our public lands and is committed to helping sustain the environment and connecting people to the outdoors responsibly. Bronco Wild Fund and its collaborators help with grants, scholarships, contributions, and an extensive dealer network. A portion of the profits from every Bronco SUV sold goes directly to Bronco Wild Fund collaborator agencies, organizations, and everyday heroes for projects that help increase access, preservation, and stewardship of the outdoors. For more information about Bronco Wild Fund and its impact on the great outdoors, visit Ford.com/bronco-wild-fund/.

For more information contact:
Jerrica Archibald
801-627-0077
media@treadlightly.org