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After a long wait, Skip Schulz, founder of MI Trails ATV Club in Ontonagon has seen his dream come true. There is now a full fledged organization that represents all the ATV/ORV clubs under the newly formed Upper Peninsula ORV Trail Development Association (UPORVTDA).

The new group held its first organizational meeting on September 24^th with representation from regions established within the by-laws. In reaching a name for the organization, the majority of representatives in attendance agreed they will do more than the name indicates.

According to Schulz, they “will do more than just work on trails, but also play an active role in positive OHV legislation, OHV education, OHV public relations, and work on starting and/or building (more) OHV organizations throughout the UP.”

This is an attribute I’ve found to be a solid base of the groups and individuals already involved with trail maintenance and expansion. All know the perimeters in which the State of Michigan and Department of Natural Resources work in both policy and law. They have an established and good working relationship with the key people involved in the ATV/OHV recreation industry and have all been working towards expansion.

A prime example of the good being achieved at the local level is the Sportsmen’s Off-Road Vehicle Association of Delta County (SORVA-DC).

SORVA-DC is represented in this region by its president Keith Lynch. He and his fellow officers have built the club with a growing membership and involvement as volunteers working to maintain the Forest Island Trail and Norway Trail systems.

They’ve been instrumental in working with the US Forest Service to develop a network of designated trails and routes in the Hiawatha National Forest. Raino Maki, a member of the SORVA-DC Board of Directors played a personal role in mapping out the network of riding opportunities in the Hiawatha that total more than 2,200 miles.

SORVA-DC has worked with Ron Yesney and Rob Katona from the MDNR Forest Management Division on the continued needs of existing trails as well as the soon to be created “Hermanaba Trail”. This trail is part of the Michigan Rails/Trails program and will make Escanaba and Hermansville trail heads, linking the two with a combined span of 25.5 miles.

Both Yesney and Katona have been instrumental in trail planning and working the ongoing contracts with independent clubs for annual maintenance and repair. They are respected by all users and carry with them a level of intellectual property that is essential in planning efforts.

Unlike most conservation organizations, SORVA-DC doesn’t hold fundraising events. It relies on membership dues and reimbursement for work done to provide needed services. No one within the club is paid for their efforts.

Recently, SORVA-DC purchased an enclosed utility trailer that is large enough to store equipment and supplies used in their trail work. The trailer is large enough to also transport two ATVs, make it simpler for volunteers to travel to service destinations. Tools like chain saws, post hole diggers, hammers, etc., along with posts, signs and repair materials will be kept and re-supplied in the trailer. The project will be completed in time for the 2012 trail maintenance season.

SORVA-DC has also worked cooperatively with other conservation organizations and volunteer service organizations.

Delta County Search and Rescue (DCSR) is another group of volunteers utilized to help those encountering problems while outdoors. At any given moment, members of DCSR are summoned to help locate lost hunters or missing persons. They have been utilized for ice fishermen that have gone through the ice or boats that have not returned. They too work in cooperation with the US Coast Guard and area law enforcement agencies.

The local Wheelin’ Sportsmen, part of the National Wild Turkey Federation, have been able to restore the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors for those afflicted with certain disabilities. They have been on the cutting edge of technology in creating portable hunting blinds that incorporate electronics that enable those users to once again hunt wild game. The Wheelin Sportsmen also work cooperatively with other organizations to bring people outdoors for fishing and target shooting events. Those groups participating are the Bay deNoc Gobblers Chapter of NWTF, Wildlife Unlimited of Delta County, the Great Lakes Sports and Recreation Club and the Bay deNoc Great Lakes Sports Fishermen, just to name a few.

Beyond a cooperative working relationship, SORVA-DC wanted to enhance their appreciation and support of the Wheelin’ Sportsmen and Delta County Search and Rescue by presenting each with a $100 donation at SORVA’s last meeting of the year Monday evening.

The money will be used to help continue ongoing programs and, like the ATV/OHV users of the UP, expand operations to do more for the good of those who enjoy the great outdoors.

It is not one person or group that is making it happen. It is a network of those who have a goal of doing good, and then networking with each other that will help each and every program achieve the set goals.

This is how major players like the UP ORV Trails Development Association were formed and they, in a cooperative manner, will assure our opportunities to enjoy that the outdoors will be there in the future.