Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council

All-Terrain Vehicle Industry Launches "ATV NatureWatch" Program in Northern Ontario

The Canadian All-Terrain Vehicle Distributors Council (CATV - Now COHV) today announced the launch of a new information and environmental advocacy program called ATV NatureWatch.

Aimed at the rapidly increasing numbers of recreational ATV riders, enjoying nature in Canada's adventure-tourism areas, this project was developed and produced by CATV, in association with the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC), and with the financial support - for the environmental awareness aspects of the campaign - from the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor).

Please click here to visit www.atvnw.ca - the website of ATV Naturewatch

Through the ATV NatureWatch Web site, www.atvnw.ca - promoted by brochures, posters, and decals to be placed on helmets and vehicles - the program presents and encourages an environmentally-friendly code of behaviour for all ATV riders. The initial pilot project will be launched in northern Ontario only. After evaluation, the program will be enhanced and rolled out nation-wide.

ATV NatureWatch addresses several key issues: trail riding, adventure tourism, the environment, sensitive habitats, and private property. The program also promotes "better practices" for ATV riders such as the very simple, but absolutely essential, "Stay on the Trail."

In fact, the most important message of ATV NatureWatch is "Make a difference environmentally - Stay on the trail". To that end, the NatureWatch Web site will provide trail data that locate trails identified as open to ATV riders.

"If we could get just one message out to recreational ATV riders with this program", said Bob Ramsay, CATV's President, "it would be to ride responsibly only on identified ATV trails. ATV clubs, lodges, oufitters and other trail organizations across Canada have worked hard to develop their trail systems. Using those trails - and those trails only - will go a long way toward protecting both the environment and the future of recreational ATV riding."

Bill Steer, Director of Education for the CEC, noted that "Most ATV owners are environmentally conscious of their riding behaviour. Utilizing Crown land forest trails that are well mapped and signed is a long-term solution to the challenge of 'Where can I ride?' Lodges, outfitters, community business associations, and ATV dealers and club members who promote ATV NatureWatch will be making a positive contribution to the environment."

Louise Paquette, Director General of FedNor added, "Northern Ontario is well positioned to develop an organized ATV tourism sector. Small businesses and communities will benefit from the economic impact of visitors utilizing identified trails."

The Canadian All-Terrain Vehicle Distributors Council (now Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council), originally founded in 1984, is a national, non-profit, trade association that represents the responsible interests of the major ATV distributors, as well as the manufacturers, distributors and retail outlets of ATV-related products and services, and individual owners and riders of all-terrain vehicles in Canada. (www.CATV.ca)