Well, I think I may have spoke to soon in my last message in March when I started with “welcome to spring” as I sit here writing this message and the snow flies outside my window. Yes, its mid-April, and yes, I do live in the Kootenays but still, this has been a very long winter and I cannot wait to get out riding and exploring the trails again.

It has been a busy month again here at ATVBC as deadlines closed in March for the ATVBC grant intake #2 and the BC ORV Fund grant. Now the difficult part starts to adjudicate each application! Final approvals will be going out to clubs by the end of April. This year we saw a large increase in the amount of funds requested compared to previous years and we will be doing our best to fund as much as we can to support the important work that our clubs provide.

Our advocacy work continues around the province with various clubs including the work we are doing in the lower mainland to represent our members concerns on the proposed gondola project at Bridal Falls. We have recently sent an update to our membership on this project and issued a media statement regarding another project in the same area.

In addition, we are attending meeting in the Boundary area to work with our members at the Grand Forks ATV club to support their call for a partnership agreement for the TCT trail in the region. Later this week I will be attending a meeting with our member Elkford ATV Club to support them in their project to bring a designated route from the Crowsnest Pass through Teck private property with the option of a Land Use Agreement. If your club is working on a project that you think we can assist with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Our member survey has been paused temporarily as we stepped aside to promote the Canadian Quad Council’s Canada wide economic impact survey that was sent out in March/April. We want to thank all those members who completed this survey. The data that is collected from this survey will help us to better understand the economic trends, opportunities, and gaps in our industry. We will be waiting on the results of this survey before sending out our ATVBC member survey so we can include any follow-up questions that were not covered in the national version.

The ATVBC Corporate Membership package has been updated to better reflect the value and benefits we offer our members. If you are a business looking to support the important work ATVBC does to advocate on behalf of our members for fair access to our lands, then consider becoming a corporate member!

Just ask our newest corporate member Warner Rentals, who joined us in March as a new corporate member and benefit provider, giving our members 10% off their rentals for personal use. Check them out online and visit them in person at their booth at our upcoming Poker Ride and AGM happening June 28-July 3^rd in Princeton BC.

So many details go into the planning of both of these ATVBC events, and we are so blessed to have the dedication of our volunteer board members to carry on these duties. This year’s events have already started registration and to date we are filling up nicely!! I can’t wait to get out and ride with our members during this event and get a chance to meet more of our members!

If planning two big events wasn’t enough, the board directors have also been very busy over the last 4 months working within their newly established board committees. Established during the fall Face-to-face meeting, these 8 committees work to address key areas of the organization including events, membership, governance and policy, grants and programs, finance and fundraising, communications, land use, tourism and trails. As these committees begin to form, there will be opportunity for our members to join these committees to bring your expertise to the table. Reach out to us if you would like more information on what committees are available!

Over the last few months, during the Club president’s meetings there has been discussion on the topic of 2 riders on ATV’s that are meant for 1 rider.  ATVBC board has developed a new policy to address this topic, and this has been sent out to all clubs and posted on our website here.

Last, but not least, I am very excited to announce a new project ATVBC has been working on in our role with the BC Powersports Coalition. The development of a best practices guide for ORV trails in BC will become a multi year project and as we embark on this project, we will be reaching out to our membership to provide input throughout the process. Read more about this project here!

Ok, I think that about covers all the things we have been working on this past month, it’s been busy for sure!!

I am going to go dig out my snow shovel now, I should have known better then to put it away to early…

See you on the trails soon!