WINNEMUCCA— Nevada Outdoor School has received $20,000 from Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative to support their efforts to promote safe and responsible OHV recreation around Nevada especially among youth as part of the Nevada OHV Youth Helmet Program.
In 2022-23, the NV OHV Youth Helmet Program was established as a joint initiative between Nevada Outdoor School, Renown Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, Safe Kids Washoe County, Nevada Offroad Association, Axel Off Road USA, Tread Lightly, Arevia Power and CAL-NEV-HA Children’s fund.
The initiative centered around 3 key objectives: increasing awareness of the risks associated with children riding OHVs, educating parents and children on safe riding practices, and distributing safety equipment for children.
“Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative funding will help expand and strengthen our NV OHV Youth Helmet Program throughout the state, with a particular emphasis on our rural communities, which we have identified as being at the highest risk,” said Melanie Erquiaga, Executive Director at Nevada Outdoor School.
The NV OHV Youth Helmet Program is one initiative of Nevada Outdoor School’s larger Ride Safe, Ride Smart program for youth and adults which includes community outreach, youth ATV camps and online and in person OHV safety trainings.
The grant was awarded as part of Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative’s commitment to the future, promoting safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable riding areas.
“Safe, responsible riding practices play an important role in defending, improving and expanding access to land for motorized recreation,” said Steve Nessl, marketing manager for Yamaha Motor Corp., USA. “Ensuring young powersport enthusiasts have and understand the importance of using helmets through the Nevada Outdoor School is a terrific means of advancing the mission of the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative.”
Erquiaga continued, “Funding from Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative ensures that Nevada Outdoor School can help reshape the narrative and social perception surrounding helmet usage by promoting messages that advocate for helmet use and reinforce safety. This will involve increasing our presence at in-person outreach events and focusing on three major OHV family gatherings in high-risk communities. Funding also ensures that Nevada Outdoor School can increase the distribution of safety gear by purchasing youth OHV helmets and responsibly distributing them to children at OHV-related events.”
Yamaha Outdoor created the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative “for Supporting the outdoor enthusiast, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative’s mission is to provide practical support for efforts that promote safe, responsible use of OHVs, educate the public on proper recreational land use and wildlife conservation practices, and protect appropriate and sustainable access to public lands.”
For more information about Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative, visit, yamahoai.com
Nevada Outdoor School inspires exploration of the natural world, responsible stewardship of our habitat, and dedication to community.
The Nevada Outdoor School AmeriCorps program places National Service members at a variety of nonprofits in rural Nevada. Nevada Outdoor School is all about getting people outside safely and responsibly.
For more information about Nevada Outdoor School and its upcoming programs, visit, www.NevadaOutdoorSchool.org