Announcing a Master Tread Trainer Course in Great Falls, Montana

Tread Lightly! would like to invite you to participate in an upcoming Master Tread Trainer Course. The Tread Trainer program is designed to train participants in innovative, practical methods of spreading outdoor ethics (specifically regarding motorized and mechanized recreation) to the public. The training is provided through a o­ne-day course and will qualify the participant to become a Tread Lightly! representative-- a "Master Tread Trainer."

Tread Lightly! is a nonprofit organization that educates people to minimize their impact in the outdoors. We specifically focus o­n motorized and mechanized recreation.

Once a participant becomes a "Master Tread Trainer" they are required to train other educators, clubs, employees, enthusiasts or community members to be "Tread Trainers"-- adding a whole new dimension to your organization's educational goals or your personal volunteer activities.

Nearly $1 million is available for recreational trails projects in the state this year. Grant applications must be submitted to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks by July 1.

Grants can be used for motorized and non-motorized, multiple use, community, rural and backcountry trails and for education and information brochures, interpretive signs and materials and noxious weed control o­n trails.

Public agencies and private trail clubs are eligible for the grants.

Applications for these Recreational Trails Program and OHV Program grants can be downloaded from FWP’s web page at www.fwp.state.mt.us , click o­n Parks and Recreation and look o­n the Grants page. If you have questions about these grants, call Bob Walker at 444-4585, or Ray Paige at 444-7317.

From the Helena IR, Monday, April 26, 2004:
"Hundreds rallied Saturday at a U.S. Forest Service office
against proposed road restrictions in south-central Montana's Beartooth and Pryor mountains."

Full text of article is available by clicking the following link.
Helena IR Article

Thanks go out to Ed Melcher, and the Families for Outdoor Recreation for all their hard work.

2004 Top Truck Challenge

Galiton County Fairgrounds - Motor Sports Park

Saturday May 8th

Registration: 8:00am-10:00am

Racing starts at 10:30

Entry Fee $20 per driver $5 spectator admission

Rock Crawl
Tow Event
Tuff Truck/Obstacle
Mud Bog
Skill Event

Vehicle requirements: seat belts, rear tow hook, helmet, battery tie down, gas cap, open top vehicles need roll bar, no loose objects. Please bring everything that you would bring on a regular trail ride: chains, clevis, tow strap, gloves, hijack, spare tire

For more information call: Rob 579-9073

Show up and support your right to use our forests!
Learn what you can do to protect our lands. Come to a rally in Billings, Montana, at the Forest Service Office o­n April 24, 2004, at NOON (1310 Main Street). We don't want trails and roads that we enjoy to have a "ROAD CLOSED" sign o­n them next time we visit.

Bring your families and friends. There will be reporters and television crews. We need to make an impact. Let's fill the parking lots with outdoor recreationists. Hey, let's close down Main Street! See you there!

Two trail rides have been scheduled for March. O­n Sunday the 14th we're making a run above Bridger. Meet at the BK in Laurel at 7:30 am. Saturday the 27th is Benbow. Meet - same time, same place.

Convention is at the Best Western City Center Inn in Bozeman, April 3rd and 4th.

Meetings start at 10:00am both days.

Dinner is at 6:30pm, Saturday the 3rd, with Guest Speaker Gary Perry, Senate District 16.

If you did not receive the forum with RSVP, please contact Mike Nunn.

Cost is $25 for dinner and meetings, or $10 for meetings only.

Hotel Rooms at the Best Western City Center Inn are $55 a night for one person.

Mike Nunn, Mountaineers
388-0448 or 539-0919 for more information

Remember that this is M4x4A Election Time, so Be There and BE HEARD.

Plus you might just learn a little something...

Forest Service considers road closures, trail rerouting for area

DILLON — The Forest Service is trying again to come up with a plan to manage travel in one of Butte's favorite backyard recreation hotspots — the Whitetail-Pipestone area.

Mike and Tiffiny Russell are the proud parents of the newest Rimrocker, Benjamin Matthew. Ben arrived at 8:10pm o­n February 26, 2004. At 8 lbs. 9ozs. and 21 1/2 inches he will be ready for his first trail ride before you know it.

The Forest Service is planning an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze a proposed travel and access management plan for the Whitetail-Pipestone area of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (Montana). This management plan will designate trails and roads for specific uses, including motorized and non-motorized recreation. Click here to read more.

Your input is important to ensure that the Forest Service understands the concerns and interests of responsible recreationists. ARRA encourages you to submit comments on the scope of the analysis by the submission deadline, March 15th. To read more about how to submit comments to Federal agencies, click here.