National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council

Need help with OHV issues?
Want to start an off-road club of your own?
Need trail information?
Want to reach your local or national political representatives?

National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council wants to give you a hand
By Steve Casper, NOHVCC Director of Communications
Photos courtesy of  NOHVCC

Admittedly, the name National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council is a mouthful to say as well as a bit confusing. But in reality, the group’s purpose and mission is quite simple and straightforward. The folks at NOHVCC (pronounced No-Vac) are basically professional consultants for off-highway vehicle activists and land managers. And being professional doesn’t mean their services cost a bundle. In fact, many of their services are free for the asking.

 

A GREAT BARGAIN
“We’re one of the best bargains in the business,” says NOHVCC Executive Director Russ Ehnes. “Our main purpose in life is to help off-roaders keep their ride areas open by giving them the tools to organize, gather funds, work with local politicians, land owners, and land managers, and any other way we can think of to keep the sport happy and healthy. Rider education, even at the youngest levels, is also a very important part of our mission since we know from experience that responsible riders are the best ammo we have for keeping ride areas open.”

And the key word here is experience. The very reason NOHVCC was started in the first place was to join the nation’s most influential off-road movers and shakers and pick their brains for what works and what doesn’t in our never-ending battles to keep ride areas open, as well as starting new ones.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY

“Every year we gather in one place to meet with all the NOHVCC state representatives as well as many other important OHV organizers and land managers to have a big Pow Wow where we share and record information,” explains Russ. “This info eventually becomes the basis for the ‘tools’ we share in our literature and consulting services. It’s constantly being updated at our head office where it’s cataloged into our off-highway library. If you’ve got a question on any off-highway issue, NOHVCC can usually find you an answer.”

To do that, it’s as easy as calling the NOHVCC (800) number or sending a quick e-mail. “It’s our job to help people, and the more folks who contact us, the happier we are,” says NOHVCC’s Ann Vance. Even simple requests such as “Where in my state can I ride my ATV or dirt bike?” will get a response (some of that info is also on their website). “Our motto here at the head office is, ‘We may not necessarily know all the answers, but we do know how to get you in contact with the person who does,’” reports Ann.

HOW NOHVCC CAN HELP YOU

Following is a partial list of the many materials and services offered by NOHVCC.

Club Kit (how to start a club)

• OHV Park Guide (a resource guide to assist in the development, enhancement and operation of OHV recreation and facilities)
• Where to Ride materials
• Adventure Trail educational posters and materials (safety and ethics of riding)
• Access to a national network of OHV activists, clubs, associations, organizations and agencies
• Information on getting federal gas tax monies for your trail project
• A wide array of youth programs and materials for your club or organization
• Direct contact with experts to address specific issues
• Workshops and speakers for OHV organization development and recreation management
• Public awareness and image enhancement materials
• Information regarding risk management, event insurance, economic impact studies, environmental studies, and the political process as it relates to off-road issues
• ATV and dirt bike riding schools
• Detailed literature on trail management issues and techniques
• Volunteer development programs

To find more detailed information on these “tools” and the many more that NOHVCC has to offer, check out their extensive website at www.nohvcc.org   Many of these materials are currently available in a downloadable PDF format, allowing users instant and free access to the most popular NOHVCC tools.

 

SUCCESS STORIES

There have been literally hundreds of NOHVCC success stories over the years with many new ride areas opening and state associations forming. Their intensive organizational and management workshops that are held at various locations throughout the country dispense important information to OHV activists and federal and state land mangers. In addition to riding opportunities, the education of youth riders is high on the NOHVCC priority list.

MINI ADVENTURE TRAIL NOW AVAILABLE

Their popular “Adventure Trail”, an interactive tour through the big NOHVCC truck with a quiz at the end, is a big hit with the kids whenever the truck shows up at one of the dozens events on the NOHVCC schedule every year. A mini Adventure Trail, consisting of 11 colorful and fun posters, is now available to organizations, land managers and dealerships.

NOHVCC is a non-profit organization that doesn’t solicit memberships or money from the grassroots weekend riders. The best way to help with the organization’s mission is to be active at the club level in promoting safe and environmentally-friendly riding practices within your group. And if you need help on any off-road topic, don’t be afraid to call NOHVCC!

 

NOHVCC

4718 S. Taylor Dr. Sheboygan, WI 53081 Phone: (800) 348-6487 Email: trailhead@nohvcc.org Website: www.nohvcc.org