Yamaha provides major grant to assist projects of Stewards

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest were awarded a $35,700 grant from the Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA through its Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI).

It’s a nationwide program dedicated to supporting safe, responsible recreation and improving access to public lands.

The Stewards summarized recent accomplishments and future plans with respect to the Yamaha funding in a statement provided by vice president Steve Cowdrey and secretary Suzanne Rice.

The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative is a proactive grassroots program that partners with recreation organizations, public land managers, Yamaha dealers and outdoor enthusiasts to promote sustainable riding opportunities and maintain access to motorized recreation areas across the country.

This latest award recognizes the Stewards’ continued commitment to volunteer service and their long-standing partnership with the Sierra National Forest.

The funding will support critical maintenance projects throughout the Bass Lake Ranger District, helping preserve access to one of California’s premier off-highway vehicle (OHV) destinations.

The project will restore and maintain approximately 100 miles of national forest roads and designated motorized trails that have been impacted by fallen trees, brush encroachment, damaged drainage features and deteriorated signage.

These improvements will enhance visitor safety, reduce deferred maintenance, protect watershed resources and strengthen the U.S. Forest Service’s transportation infrastructure for recreation, emergency response and resource management.

Working in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Stewards volunteers will perform trail clearing, drainage maintenance and route signage improvements to reopen and maintain these important recreation corridors. The project also includes installing a new informational kiosk at the Iron Telephone OHV Staging Area to provide visitors with trail information and promote responsible riding practices.

Once completed, the project will improve access to hundreds of miles of interconnected OHV routes enjoyed by off-road motorcyclists, ATV riders, UTV owners and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts throughout the Sierra National Forest.

Yamaha’s investment will leverage more than $61,000 in matching contributions through volunteer labor, donated equipment and Forest Service support, significantly increasing the value of the project.

This grant represents another important milestone for the Stewards.

With support from Yamaha grants received in 2024 and 2025, the organization successfully added more than 21 miles of new OHV trails to the Sierra National Forest motorized trail system. The new funding shifts the focus toward maintaining and restoring existing infrastructure by reopening 100 miles of roads and trails while improving route signage to create a safer and better-maintained motorized trail system.

These accomplishments directly support the Stewards’ mission of protecting public access through responsible stewardship and volunteer service.

Successful projects funded through the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative have generated strong support throughout California’s OHV community, resulting in increased volunteer participation, organizational membership and greater commitment to responsible recreation.

Corporate partnerships like Yamaha’s demonstrate how private industry and volunteer organizations can work together to benefit public lands. These collaborations encourage volunteerism, strengthen community involvement and create lasting improvements that benefit all forest visitors.

The Sierra National Forest has also demonstrated its commitment to this partnership by providing personnel, training, technical assistance and Forest Service vehicles to support project implementation. Together these cooperative efforts improve water quality, enhance visitor safety and preserve critical transportation routes that connect popular riding areas, scenic overlooks, campgrounds and dispersed camping destinations.

Completion of this project will reopen and maintain 100 miles of OHV routes, creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation while helping ensure riders remain on designated trails through improved signage and educational messaging. These efforts protect sensitive natural resources while providing a safer and more enjoyable riding experience.

The Sierra National Forest remains one of California’s premier motorized recreation destinations. Stretching from the foothills to alpine elevations exceeding 9,000 feet, the forest offers spectacular scenery and exceptional riding opportunities for visitors from throughout California and beyond.

Located adjacent to Yosemite National Park, the forest welcomes thousands of recreationists each year who contribute to the economies of surrounding gateway communities.

The forest contains more than 2,100 miles of roads open to motorized travel including approximately 81 miles of four-wheel drive routes and 85 miles of designated ATV and motorcycle trails. Together, these routes provide recreation opportunities for everyone from experienced riders seeking technical challenges to families looking for a memorable day exploring the outdoors.

Since its founding, the Stewards of the Sierra National Forest have worked to address the growing need for organized volunteer support for trail maintenance and public land stewardship. Recognizing that protecting access to public lands requires active participation from the recreation community, the organization has completed numerous projects that improve Forest Service roads and designated motorized trails while protecting natural resources.

Today, the Stewards continue to improve rider safety, protect water quality, maintain access to scenic destinations and campgrounds and connect trail systems that enhance the overall recreation experience throughout the Sierra National Forest.

Individuals interested in volunteering or becoming a member of the Stewards of the Sierra National Forest are encouraged to visit www.SOTSNF.org to learn more about upcoming projects and opportunities to help preserve responsible motorized recreation for future generations.

The Stewards of the Sierra will hold their 15th annual Dual Sport & Adventure Bike Ride on Oct. 3-4 with a fundraiser dinner at the Oakhurst Community Center. Participants are invited to join an optional, self-guided ride through the national forest near Yosemite National Park.

Whether riding dual sport or ADV, this event is all about great trails, good friends and supporting responsible recreation in the forest.

Complimentary GPS tracks will be provided — participants are asked to bring a GPS cable. The ride features scenic back roads, highways and exciting trail routes.

For more experienced riders, optional “hard way” splits will be available along the route. Camping options will also be available.

Visit www.sotsnf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flyer-2026.pdf for cost, registration and more.