08 Oct Tread Lightly! creates new program with Bureau of Land Management – Alaska to promote responsible outdoor recreation

CENTERVILLE, UT. (Oct 8, 2021)— Tread Lightly!, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation through stewardship and educational programs today announced a new collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – Alaska to educate outdoor enthusiasts about the tundra ecosystem and the importance of minimal impact recreation.
 
The Tread Lightly! Alaska program will build awareness of responsible outdoor ethics to protect the non-motorized Pinnell Mountain National Recreation Trail that sits amid motorized access areas, through education of proper trail designation and vehicle width and weights.
 
“We are excited to partner with Tread Lightly! to protect Alaska’s unique public lands,” said Zach Million, BLM-AK Program Lead for Recreation, Travel Management and National Conservation Lands. “The Tread Lightly! ethic is a great introduction for riders to proper trail etiquette and responsible riding practices.”
 
The strategic collaboration to create signage, education materials and social media content, aims to emphasize the “Know Before You Go” concept. Specifically, knowing the allowable vehicle widths and curb weights, on the trails designated for motorized use, before riders purchase a new vehicle. This will prepare motorized users in Alaska to improve their experience and sustain the tundra ecosystem. In Alaska, the BLM is seeing the most prevalent OHV issues are caused by inexperienced or unknowing users going overland to pursue game, retrieve game, fish, or access rivers.
 
“Motorized recreation issues vary from place to place, but the Tread Lightly! ethic is easy to adapt to address these kinds of issues anywhere” said Matt Caldwell, Tread Lightly! Executive Director. “We are excited to bring our message to Alaska to protect important habitats and keep trails open.”
 
To get involved with the Tread Lightly! Alaska program, please contact Mindie Walkoviak at mindiew@treadlightly.org. To learn more about the Tread Lightly! team visit www.treadlightly.org. Visit https://www.blm.gov/maps for maps and recreation information.

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.

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