OHV Trails Conference 2007 Partnerships and Volunteer.

OHV Trails Conference 2007OHV Trails Conference 2007

Partnerships and Volunteer

Who is AZOHVC?Who is AZOHVC?

Arizona Off Highway Vehicle Coalition (AZOHVC) is a non profit coalition made up of clubs , organizations and businesses from the OHV community in Arizona.

We try to fill in the gap for agencies with partnerships, volunteer labor and writing grant applications.

State wide, we are involved in many aspects of the planning of OHV trail systems.

We work closely with the State Parks OHV program, Forest Service , State Land Department and BLM on Partnerships, Grants, trail inventory, trail evaluation/designation and most recently, trail maintenance, trail rehab and trail signing/ mapping.

WHY Form Partnerships?WHY Form Partnerships?

Why form a partnership? Budget cuts and the War have drastically cut funding. New Projects

and maintenance have been dropped. The Partnerships bring much needed labor, and in some cases

dollars to bridge this gap. Without the partnerships, Land resources degrade and many

recreation activities could be lost or severely cut back. Partnerships help build bonds and friendships where “us versus

them “ may have existed before. Gives / creates a better cense of ownership and pride in recreation

/user groups.

Let’s Find a Partner!Let’s Find a Partner! *Finding a partner isn’t always easy.

Some Agencies simply do not have the personnel to do the extra work a partnership requires.

Others may see it as just to much work and red tape.

A small number will fear repercussions from partnering with any group for “playing favorites”.

*Don’t let these issues stop you from perusing partnerships!

A GOOD idea is hard to kill.

Let’s Find a Partner!Let’s Find a Partner! You may have to sell your idea to more than one person at an

Agency or present your partnership proposal several times before you succeed.

Most Agencies have trail or route planning in place that helps manage recreation and land use. This planning can be used to get ideas for a partnership proposal.

* These could include erosion damaged trails repair, rehab, trail sign repair or replacement, fencing.

* You may want to start small and get to know you Agency partner.Adopt a Ranger program can introduce you to a specific

person to build trust and allows you both to “scope out “ each other.*Cleanups and other small projects will also allow you to figure out the

proper procedures to follow and insures success in larger future ones!

Let’s Find a Partner!Let’s Find a Partner!Projects can have more than one

Partner!*Big projects may need multiple partners to complete

*Non Traditional sources of money , other user groups, and

multiple agencies can work together to accomplish some mighty big projects that would otherwise not be possible.

CATP: Central Arizona Trails Partnership

Forming a ProjectForming a Project Don’t come to the table with only one type of project you

are willing to do. KEEP an open mind. Again, start small and work up! Agencies usually have projects they would like to do but

have more pressing items or are short the dollars and personnel.

When talking about projects, sell your groups expertise. Are there welders or fabricators in your group? Have you done fencing before or trail work? Access to special equipment? Welders , power post hole digger?

Forming a ProjectForming a Project Example: Your group would like to do trail repairs and signs on

the Tonto national Forest. You’re a “ on the Ground “ kind of group.

The Tonto is currently going thru route designation and is not sure what trails will remain open. So they are not doing any on the ground trail work until the designation process is completed.

But if you ask the Ranger at this district what type of “On the Ground”projects were needed , he would tell you about the fencing and gate “on the Ground”projects that are ready to go and will protect the burned areas on his Forest.

***Once you have a good working relationship with an agency , you can suggest projects or repairs that they may not be aware of or were on a “wish list” of future projects.

Sample ProjectsSample Projects

Information Kiosks are one excellent group project for any type area.

Sample Projects Sample Projects cont.cont.

This is an adopt a ranch partnership with AZ Game and Fish and the Rancher.

Don’t take on a project you are over your head on!

You want to have a successful

project you can Complete! Make sure you have work for all who

attend. Fast way to loose volunteers!


Alto Pit Trail 620 project As part of the Williamson Valley

Alto pit travel plan, this project built a 50” multi use trail as part of the Forest planning to connect Recreation areas fragmented by urban development.

This is a very advanced partnership that required a large investment in agency time to organize proper paperwork and agreements.

Not for those in a hurry!


Tonto Cave Creek District

Existing route trail signing project.

This was a Polaris TRIALS grant project that replaced damaged and missing sign on the South side of Bartlett Dam road trail system.


Tonto Cave Creek DistrictExisting Route/trail signing

Project

*This was a Ride Now matching grant to the Polaris TRAILS grant program.

It allowed us to purchase and install signs in the Complex and Bart Fire areas where trail signs were destroyed in the fires.

Funding Funding

Funding cuts have impacted dollars available for Land Agency Work.• Federal Funding cuts and the The War in Iraq, have drained most capitol

improvement fund. • Agencies have to look elsewhere for funds but many don’t have the personnel to

write grants.

FundingFunding

Traditional Sources of Funding:

RTP (federal recreation trail program) Heritage Fund (State of AZ) OHV Gas Tax Fund (State of AZ) NFFF (National Forest Foundation Fund)

FundingFunding Cont.

Non-Traditional Sources of Funding:

*Game and Fish for OHV projects and hunter access

*American Motorcycle Assoc. (AMA)

*County

*Tread Lightly Grant program

Manufacturers Grant Programs

*Polaris T.R.A.I.L.S OHV Grant program

*Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC)

*Specialty Vehicle Institute of America( SVIA)


Manufacturers Grant Programs Ford Motor Co. Hummer Grant program BF Goodrich Trails grants

**Don’t Assume because someone doesn’t have an Official “grant program” That they will not support a good project.


Here are just a few who have donated equipment or dollars to

worth while projects:CamelBak outdoor equipment

REI out fitter stores

Cycle Gear OHV stores

Ride Now OHV stores

Apache Honda OHV Dealer

The Pit OHV repair shop

MB Group Home builders and developers


HOW DO YOU APPROACH SOMEONE FOR SUPPORT?

IDEA:

Approach Business that profit from the use of Public land.

WHAT IS YOUR GROUP “INTO”?

Mountain Bikes Hiking ATVs

**Peruse the Business that supports your recreation. Odds are the ATV business would be less likely to support a Horse back Riding project.


HOW DO YOU APPROACH SOMEONE FOR SUPPORT?

IDEA:***Have a catch phrase or a easy to remember statement that gives your potential

sponsor a reason to consider supporting your project.

Example:

We at AZOHVC work on lots of motorized trails, so we approach business that are involved with OHV sales in some way.

NO TRAILS , NO SALES is short and easy to remember and it shows how NOT helping could affect business.

Whether the project is keeping trails open, or mitigating damage from use, their support will help your project and their business.


Have a written plan*Even if your project is just an idea, have a written proposal with maps

and or pictures for what you want to do.

*Don’t assume everyone knows about your recreation or it’s need for support. Pictures , maps and even news articles can give a visual.

*If the business or organization doesn’t have a formal Grant program, use a form from some one who does as a starting point for yours.

FundingFunding Cont

Grants

*Hit the Web!

*Attend a Grant work shopState Parks has motorized and non- motorized grant workshops each

year

*Talk to others. Talk to your local Land Managers and other clubs and organizations

for suggestions and help!

VolunteersVolunteers

***Don’t assume if you don’t have cash to bring to the table that you will find NO partners!

Your volunteer time can be as good as money!

Your time can be applied as a match for Funds under some grants.

You and Your PartnerYou and Your Partner

OK, You now have a partner, a project and hopefully some funding.

******Before a shovel of dirt is turned or a sign is in the ground ……

MAKE SURE THE PAPERWORK IS DONE!

Nothing will kill your project faster than not having all the proper documentation required to do the work.

You and Your PartnerYou and Your Partner

Paperwork and Documentation Have a check list of needed documents in project file.This could include:1)Is your NEPA documentation current or cover you for what the

project encompasses?2)Does your project require an Archeological study?3)Proper paperwork for Volunteer agreements done?4)If special equipment is required, does operator or person performing

task have needed training or certification?#3 and 4 are very important to protect both land agency and volunteers

alike.

You and Your PartnerYou and Your PartnerPaperwork and DocumentationWhy all the fuss? How about a parody on a John Wayne Flick?

“Let me tell you now, your fault , my fault any bodies fault ……….I’m going to sue your pants OFF”

Don’t let this happen to your project!!

Make sure you have a copy of ALL your agreements, NEPA or other documents completed and in the project file!

Don’t assume this has been completed. ASK questions , beware of what is required, your partners………..work that way.

Agency SupervisionAgency Supervision

How much Supervision do you need?

For Agencies-*Don’t assume your volunteers know or understand Agency rules and

regs. For you , type of project will dictate how much supervision YOU require.

For new partnerships…….LOTS*Neither of you know what the other is capable of doing or how well

the tasks for the project can be preformed.

Agency SupervisionAgency Supervision

Example: “Just a little”*Cleanups , service projects

Depending on how dispersed, a clean up is a good place to learn about your partner and requires much less supervision.

Once proper safety equipment was determined and objectives were explained and demonstrated, Ranger was able to move to another group.

Agency SupervisionAgency SupervisionExample: Big time*Maintenance , construction or

mitigation.Big projects that involve equipment

or trail work need direct supervision.

Whether to layout where work limits are on the ground or how equipment is use. These projects require a big personnel commitment from Agencies.

Good Luck !

Working together to manage recreation is the real goal.

Planning , preparation and patience will help you succeed in your partnership!

CONTACTSCONTACTSContacts:Arizona Trail riders (MC)

<arizonatrailriders.org>

Arizona Off Highway Vehicle Coalition

<azohv.org>

MIC ( Motorcycle Industry Council)

<www.MIC.org>

Polaris TRAILS grant program

<[email protected]>

Jeff Gursh (AZOHVC and ATR)

[email protected]

Arizona State Parks OHV program

<[email protected]>

Trail EquipmentTrail Equipment All equipment has the potential for damage if

used incorrectly or in untrained hands.

In trail maintenance and building……… LESS IS MORE! Move small amounts of ground ,

disturb as little as possible, use caution in sensitive soils or vegetation areas.

No substitute for training or experience!

TRAIL EQUIPMENTTRAIL EQUIPMENT SWECO trail tractor

Ideal all round trail machine.

48 inch articulated blade

Steel Tracked

Small size allows trail work “to stay on the trail”

Diesel powered and well made/dependable

SWECOSWECO

Example Over grown 50 inch trail 20 yrs since worked on Side sloped sloughed in 3 foot deep rain erosion Limited resources i.e. $

SWECOSWECO

Example :

*First pass moves loose rock into erosion channel

*second pass brings soils and compacts.

*trail drag on ATV “finish’

Grades.

10 minutes to accomplish10 minutes to accomplish

EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT

ATVs or UTVs

*Great work horse for carrying loads or transporting equipment.

*Different sizes for different applications

Shown: Polaris 500 with sign rack and trail drag

EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT Trail Tractor Small size allow for

smaller trail access. Can “Bucket” soil to

location. Trenches and pulls /

narrows larger trails.

OHV Trails Conference 2007 Partnerships and Volunteer.

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Transcript of OHV Trails Conference 2007 Partnerships and Volunteer.