Polaris, a company in the powersports industry, and the National Forest Foundation (NFF) announced the recipients of the 2024 Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation grants. This initiative aims to bolster outdoor recreation and conservation efforts across various national forests and public lands.
The collaboration, which began in 2021, saw the Polaris Foundation commit $5 million to the NFF over a five-year period. This pledge established the Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation endowment, aimed at supporting essential habitat restoration and trail maintenance across the nation’s forests and surrounding lands.
Lucy Clark Dougherty, president of the Polaris Foundation, expressed that through the NFF and the Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation grants, they aim to positively impact trail restoration, watershed protection, and wildlife habitat projects.
“As a longtime supporter of NFF, Polaris is proud to partner with them to protect public lands,” Dougherty said in a press release.
The 2024 grants will focus on two key national forest locations: the Kelly’s Pond Multi-use Trail in Texas and the East Verde Watershed in Arizona. These projects showcase the partnership’s dedication to preserving natural landscapes while promoting responsible outdoor recreation.
In the Sam Houston National Forest, Texas, the grant will facilitate significant enhancements to the Kelly’s Pond Multi-use Trail. The planned improvements include trail contouring, addressing drainage issues, and installing trail turnpike. These upgrades are designed to create a more durable and enjoyable trail system for various recreational activities.
The East Verde Watershed Project in Tonto National Forest, Arizona, will benefit from the grant through educational resources promoting responsible riding practices and support for decommissioning unauthorized trails, a crucial step in preserving the natural environment and enhancing safety for all trail users in the Phoenix and Payson area.
Mary Mitsos, president and CEO of the National Forest Foundation, emphasized that the ongoing partnership with Polaris underscores the significant impact of collaboration between organizations that share a passion for the outdoors.
She expressed immense gratitude for the support of the Polaris Foundation and looked forward to continuing their joint efforts to protect and enhance public lands.
The Polaris Foundation’s commitment to outdoor recreation and conservation extends beyond this partnership. Through its annual TRAILS grants program, Polaris has provided substantial support to over 400 all-terrain vehicle, off-road vehicle, and snowmobile organizations, distributing more than $3.5 million in grants to date.
