Save the Date for the 2025 NOHVCC Annual Conference
The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) is having its 2025 Annual Conference in Bend, Ore., on Oct. 9-12. The conference will be held at the Riverhouse Lodge, which lies on the banks of the Deschutes River.
The conference will have two content-packed days to help attendees learn about best management practices in OHV recreation. It will feature content specific to OHV recreation, OHV clubs, trail projects, partnerships, and more. Once again, NOHVCC will host the Conference Mobile Workshop to cover management practices, maintenance, volunteer efforts, and other relevant topics. This event also offers a unique opportunity to explore the trails in Central Oregon. Participation requires an additional registration fee beyond the standard conference registration, including for those traveling on a state partner travel grant. NOHVCC collaborated with local land managers and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to ensure this is a memorable experience that provides an authentic feel for the trails in Central Oregon.
If you require additional information to plan your travel or to request permission to attend from your place of work, please reach out to trailhead@nohvcc.org.
Click here to register, explore sponsorship opportunities, and view the preliminary agenda.
Pennsylvania Invests $2.1 Million to Expand and Improve ATV and Snowmobile Trails
On Aug. 20, the Shapiro administration announced $2.1 million in new investments to expand and improve all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and snowmobile trails and facilities across Pennsylvania — supporting the state’s $19 billion outdoor recreation industry and boosting rural economies.
The funding was provided through the ATV Management Restricted Account, Snowmobile Management Restricted Account, and the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program, awarded by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). It will support nine statewide projects, including trail construction, equipment purchases, economic impact studies, and rider safety programs.
“Outdoor recreation is a major economic driver for our rural communities, and these grants will help expand safe, high-quality ATV and snowmobile opportunities for Pennsylvanians and visitors alike,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “The Shapiro administration is committed to investing in motorized recreation to support local businesses and strengthen communities, and we encourage organizations and municipalities to apply for this funding before the September 30 deadline.”
The nine projects funded in this round include:
- Lannding, LLC (Indiana County) – $1,389,100 for construction of an ATV training course, parking area, utilities, and stormwater management measures at the Lannding ATV Park in Pine Township
- Pennsylvania Trails Foundation – $261,900 to coordinate the statewide Sensible, Courteous, Off-Road Enthusiasts (S.C.O.R.E.) “Rules of the Trail” ATV Simulator Training Program
- Indian Creek Valley ATV Club (Fayette County) – $20,500 for equipment to construct and maintain approximately 43 miles of ATV trails in Saltlick Township
- Mines and Meadows, LLC (Lawrence County) – $149,200 for equipment to construct and maintain approximately 84 miles of ATV trails at the Mines and Meadows ATV Park in New Beaver Borough
- Altoona Blair County Development Corporation (Blair, Cambria, Centre, and Clearfield counties) – $48,600 for an economic impact study of the Central Allegheny Highlands ATV Trail System
- Somerset County – $80,600 to prepare a countywide ATV Trail Plan
- Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association – $100,000 to fund the 2026 Snowmobile Mini-Grant Program and the Mapgears trail mapping software program
- PA Snowseekers Snowmobile Club (Elk County) – $54,100 for equipment to maintain and construct approximately 100 miles of snowmobile trails
- McKean Area Snowmobile Club (Erie, Crawford, and Warren counties) – $26,700 for equipment to maintain and construct approximately 162 miles of snowmobile trails
The fall grant round opened on Aug. 1 and closes on Sept. 30. Eligible projects include planning, land acquisition, development, rehabilitation, maintenance, purchase of equipment for construction and maintenance, and development of educational programs. Grant amounts vary from $25,000 to $1,000,000 and are available to municipalities, non-profits, and for-profit organizations. While no matching funds are required, applications with matching funds will receive additional consideration.
The Department of the Interior Celebrates the Fifth Anniversary of the GAOA
Recently, the Department of the Interior marked the fifth anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act by releasing “Leaving a Legacy: The Great American Outdoors Act National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund,” which highlights the program’s impact over its five years of funding. On Aug. 4, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) into law (Public Law 116-152). The GAOA and the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) authorize $1.6 billion annually to the Department of the Interior for fiscal years (FY) 21–25 to address priority deferred maintenance and repair (DM&R) needs at public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and at Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools across the country. To date, $6 billion in estimated deferred maintenance and repairs has been addressed, 386 projects have been funded, and $135 million has been invested in Maintenance Action Teams.
The GAOA and LRF projects support about 17,000 jobs annually, helping to boost the economy. In addition to creating jobs, Interior’s $1.6 billion portion of the GAOA and LRF contributes roughly $1.9 billion each year to the U.S. economy. These investments keep public lands open, accessible, safe, and functioning well, improving the visitor experience and boosting economic growth in nearby communities.