MARIETTA, Ga., Sept. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, awarded more than $170,000 in grants through its Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) in the second quarter of 2024, funding critical efforts to restore off-highway vehicle (OHV) and recreational trails damaged by recent natural disasters. These grants support local and regional organizations working to rehabilitate public lands impacted by tornadoes, flooding, and winter storms.
“The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative program plays a critical role in ensuring public lands remain accessible, even after natural disasters,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha Motorsports’ group marketing manager. “By partnering with local organizations and Yamaha dealers, we’re able to support communities in their efforts to restore trails so they continue to be safe and sustainable for all outdoor recreationalists.”
This quarter’s Yamaha OAI grants focus on areas hit hardest by natural disasters, including:
- Winter storms in Northeast Maine, resulting in a federal disaster declaration.
- Seasonal flooding affecting trails in South Carolina’s Manchester State Park and Francis Marion National Forest.
- Tornado-damaged trails in Northwest Arkansas.
In the second quarter of 2024, Yamaha awarded over $170,000 across 15 grants to the following organizations:
- Arizona 4WD Foundation, supported by Nash Powersports
- Arkansas Trailblazers, supported by Sunrise Marine & Motorsports
- Day Mountain Road Association, in Strong, Maine, supported by Central Maine Powersports
- Downeast Lakes Land Trust, in Grand Lake Stream, Maine, supported by Friend & Friend
- Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, supported by Ride Center USA
- Motorcycle Riders Association, out of Medford, Oregon, supported by Water World Boat & Powersports
- Off Road Business Association, supported by Motorworld of El Cajon
- Orange County Mountain Bike Assoc., in California, supported by Fullerton Bike
- Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District, supported by Central Maine Powersports
- Rocky Mountain Sports Riders, in Eagle County, Colorado, supported by Silverthorne Powersports
- Southern Trail Advocates & Riders, out of Jamestown, South Carolina, supported by Velocity Powersports
- Stay the Trail Education and Stewardship Alliance, from Colorado, supported by Vickery Motorsport
Yamaha OAI continues to accept grant applications on a quarterly basis, providing timely resources to address urgent access issues and land rehabilitation efforts. While project types vary, Yamaha OAI prioritizes initiatives that promote safe and responsible OHV use, perform essential maintenance on trails and public lands, as well as protect, restore, and expand sustainable access to public lands. For the third quarter of 2024, Yamaha invites public land managers, riding clubs, and stewardship organizations to apply for funding before the September 30 deadline. Submission guidelines and applications are available at YamahaOAI.com.
Stay connected with Yamaha on social media via @YamahaOutdoors and use hashtags #Yamaha, #YamahaOAI, #REALizeYourAdventure, #ProvenOffRoad, and #AssembledInUSA.
About the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
Since 2008, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative has led the powersports industry in supporting responsible access to our nation’s public lands for outdoor enthusiasts. With more than $6 million contributed to over 470 projects across the country, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of motorized recreation trails, maintained and rehabilitated riding and hunting areas, improved staging areas, supplied organizations with essential OHV safety education, built bridges over fish-bearing streams, helped children learn to ride bicycles, and partnered with local outdoor enthusiast communities across the country to improve access to public lands. Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from nonprofit or tax-exempt organizations including OHV riding and cycling clubs and associations, national, state, and local public land-use agencies, outdoor enthusiast associations, and land conservation groups with an interest in protecting, improving, expanding, and/or maintaining access for safe, responsible, and sustainable public use.
For updated guidelines, the application form, and the latest Outdoor Access Initiative news, please visit YamahaOAI.com. If you have specific inquiries about the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative, you can reach the dedicated hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724), email [email protected], or send correspondence to:
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
3065 Chastain Meadows Parkway, Bldg. 100
Marietta, GA 30066
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing USA (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].
Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA (Yamaha Financial Services), an affiliate of YMUS, offers financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide. Yamaha Financial Services provides retail and commercial financing for the diverse line of Yamaha brand motor products based out of Cypress, CA and Marietta, GA.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Scott Newby – Senior Communications Specialist
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
770-420-6078
[email protected]
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/98d9d2cd-6906-4b8b-9402-551287b65042
