Trail Access Grant Post Project Report

Warfighter Made

First is Warfighter Made, a non-profit organization based in Temecula, California. Warfighter Made aims to serve military veterans and their families in several ways, including providing recreational therapy retreats, camaraderie therapy alongside other veterans, and S.T.E.M. education (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to the children of veterans.

The all-inclusive non-profit serves all veterans. As its slogan states, "All Vets, All Branches, All Eras."

RealTruck and Warfighter Made

On August 24, 2024, Warfighter Made held a desert cleanup project for one of its first B.O.L.T. meetings. The project was a resounding success—twelve adults volunteered their time as instructors, helpers, and emergency staff, and 55 youth participants attended the course. For additional coverage, check out Warfighter Made's recap video. 

Building Off-road Leaders of Tomorrow (B.O.L.T.)

How You Can Help

If you'd like to assist in future efforts with Warfighter Made, consider donating to the cause or volunteering your time to future projects. 

Idaho Trails Association

Up next, we have Idaho Trails Association (I.T.A.), a non-profit organization that views itself as "the voice for hikers." I.T.A. works alongside dedicated volunteers, related organizations, and government partners to preserve Idaho's gorgeous scenery and trail systems. 

The non-profit furthers its efforts through trail maintenance projects, education, and advocacy to preserve public lands. In 2024, the I.T.A. achieved incredible results, dedicating nearly 12,000 volunteer hours to trail work and restoring 332 miles of trails for everyone to enjoy.

RealTruck and Idaho Trails Association

Earlier this year, I.T.A. received a 500-dollar Trail Access Grant, which provided food and resources for volunteers during a portion of a massive trail cleanup project in Northern Idaho.

Project Outcome

The portion of the project that utilized RealTruck's T.A.G. took place on August 21, 2024, at Hughes Fork Creek in Northern Idaho. Along with the Priest River Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen of America, nine volunteers revived a trail that had been abandoned for nearly ten years. 

According to Melanie Vining, our contact with I.T.A., the volunteers cleared 1.1 miles of trail using traditional tools like crosscut saws, Pulaskis, and axes. Though efforts are ongoing, once the trail is cleared, it will connect Idaho and Washington via a network of trails in this beautiful area.

The project was a massive success. The volunteers made great strides in returning the trail systems to usable conditions and developed new skills and abilities as part of their contributions. The food and resources provided were also a great addition.

How You Can Help

If you'd like to help with future efforts with the Idaho Trails Association, consider joining the organization's membership service or volunteering for trail-clearing projects.

Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League

Next, we're checking in with the Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League (K.I.C.L.). The non-profit was organized in 2019 to provide "fun, risk-managed, high-quality youth development programming, based in cycling," to 6th—12th-grade students. 

The organization's mission states, "We build strong minds, bodies, character, and communities through cycling."

RealTruck and the Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League

Earlier this year, K.I.C.L. received a Trail Access Grant from RealTruck to fund a new project to educate youth participants in the funding, creation, and upkeep of local trails. The project takes place across several teams on different trails, and funding provided by RealTruck grants resources to local teams to allow the hosting of trail maintenance days, support for trail-building projects, and education about how to advocate for trails within their communities.

Project Outcome

Starting July 28 this year, the Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League began organizing trail maintenance days under the Teen Trail Corps program. These events occurred throughout the season, and student-athletes, coaches, parents, and community members participated. K.I.C.L. teams have worked alongside local trail alliances and landowners to ensure adequate contributions to trail maintenance.

How You Can Help

If you'd like to support the Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League, consider donating to the cause or volunteering your time for future efforts.

The Off-Road Business Association

Next, we're connecting with the Off-Road Business Association (O.R.B.A.). This non-profit organization based in Bakersfield, California, is dedicated to fighting the good fight for O.H.V. recreation. The organization, comprising off-road clubs, parts manufacturers, retail, racing organizations, and lobbyist groups, unites to support the preservation, growth, and prosperity of off-road motorsports. 

It's O.R.B.A.'s prerogative that, contrary to the beliefs of several environmental agencies and government officials, environmental preservation and O.H.V. recreation are not conflicting ideologies. Most recreational off-roaders are law-abiding citizens who emphatically support environmental conservation. Through ongoing litigation and advocacy, O.R.B.A. intends to ensure future generations have the same, if not more, O.H.V. access to current ones.

RealTruck and O.R.B.A.

RealTruck and O.R.B.A. share a similar vision, specifically in our belief that the off-road industry deserves a say in land use issues. Our own VP of Marketing, Lee Riser, is a board member of the organization. 

Over the past several years, O.R.B.A. has advocated for reopening and protecting approximately 300 miles of O.H.V. trails in the M.O.A.B. area. Earlier this year, RealTruck donated 1,000 dollars to the organization through its Trail Access Grant program to support ongoing litigation costs, which O.R.B.A. estimates to require 50,000 dollars to settle.

Project Outcome

While O.R.B.A. continues to fight the good fight, litigation is ongoing. However, the organization hopes to settle all current court matters by the end of 2024.

How You Can Help

To support current litigation efforts and future fights, consider joining O.R.B.A. and donating to the cause.

Wilderness Volunteers

Founded in 1997, Wilderness Volunteers has always maintained the same mission—protecting and preserving America's wild places through the actions and donations of volunteers. The 501(c)(3) organization operates alongside the US Forest Service, National Park Service, the BLM, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to orchestrate week-long service projects throughout the United States. 

Agencies provide work tools and oversight for 10–12-person teams, which complete service projects on lands that fall into one of three categories—front country, back country with support, and back country without support. These projects maintain various lands, from public campgrounds to remote sites.

Wilderness Volunteers and RealTruck

Safeguarding trails and recreational areas for generations of future hiking enthusiasts and outdoorspersons is the quintessence of our T.A.G. program, and Wilderness Volunteers wholeheartedly embodies this goal.  

Earlier this year, Wilderness Volunteers received one of RealTruck's Trail Access Grants, which directly funded a project on the Sioux Hustler Hiking Trail in St. Louis County, Minnesota.

Project Outcome

Wilderness Volunteers led a team of six volunteers to clean up 2.4 miles of trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area from Awagato Lake to Emerald Lake. These trails comprise numerous remote sections that needed maintenance. The service included significant trail cleanup and clearing using loppers, hand saws, and a crosscut saw. The crew removed 11 downed logs that were blocking the trail via crosscut.

Carrie Henderson of Wilderness Volunteers said, "The feedback for this project was very positive! Our volunteers had to commute 1–1.5 hours via canoe to the work site, which was strenuous but ultimately made the project feel even more rewarding."

Direct quotes from some of the volunteers include: 

"The best reward for the hard work and long commute to the job site was the iconic scenery, the fellowship of the crew, and the surprise of the aurora borealis!"

"The work was enjoyable with the group and the canoeing in/out and especially the daily canoe commutes made it great."

"A great experience with great leaders to improve the hiking trail corridor."

How You Can Help

Of course, these projects are only possible with contributions from passionate volunteers. Whether donating funds via the Wilderness Volunteers donation page or donating your time to one of the organization's ongoing projects, any effort helps.

Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT)

Recognizing the critical link between mental health and the great outdoors, the good people behind the NRVT Trail project began constructing the longest recreational trail in Fairfield County, Connecticut. This 10-foot-wide, handicap-accessible trail will stretch from Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, Connecticut, to Rogers Park in Danbury.  

Since the volunteer project's inception in 2001, over 12 miles of trail have been completed, with another 3.4 miles in pre-construction phases.

NRVT and RealTruck

Earlier this year, NRVT Trail received a Trail Access Grant from RealTruck. The funds went directly to volunteer efforts during an October project in which NRVT Trail staff and volunteers from software company FactSet worked to clear a section of the Norfolk River Valley Trail of invasive plant life. 

Project Outcome

On October 25, 16 FactSet employees, NRVT Trail's executive director, and an NRVT Trail board member met at the WilWalk location on Chipmunk Lane in Wilton, CT, to remove invasive plant life and plant native shrubbery and trees alongside the trail. The T.A.G. was used to purchase shovels and supplies for the project, which removed countless large sections of the invasive mile-a-minute weed. Efforts were taken to prevent regermination of the invasive species. 

How You Can Help

Though miles of the Norwalk River Valley Trail have been completed, over half the total planned length of the trail has yet to be completed. In addition, completed trail sections require routine maintenance to remain safe and usable for the public. 

Consider donating on the NRVT official donation page to assist monetarily with future efforts. To donate your time, check out the schedule of future board meetings, where the NRVT Trail staff outline future project plans and dates. 

Stay tuned for future updates as we allocate funds to additional recipients of our Trail Access Grant program.