The 'Tread Lightly!" series was created by the Bureau of Land Management, and supported by the USDA Forest Service to supply ATVists, ORVists and other outdoor recreation proponents realistic methods by which to use the limited land resources. Since the land is finite and there are a growing number of people trying to use this land, especially by motorized methods, it is best to learn a way to maintain it for maximum use by all. The Tread Lightly program is available to everyone who wants to learn better ways to use public lands.
As an ATVer you can become a "Tread Trainer" by completing a 3-hour course. This allows you to instruct other ORV enthusiasts in methods by which public lands may be shared and protected for all users. You get a membership, certificate of completion, and discount on Tread Lightly materials, among other things. The course teaches, among other things, trip-planning 101, introduction to maps and map reading, and introduction to GPS.
The importance of Tread Lightly cannot be over stressed. All ATVers owe it to themselves, their ATV families and the love of their sport to learn how to tread lightly, on public and private lands. Most of the ATV community is very responsible and caring of other land users, but there are those rogue elements, renegade ATV users who disregard their safety and the safety of others, who have no regard for the land or the animals on it, nor the rules and regulations of use. These few can make or break ATV use for all.
