New Era of Cooperation Focused on Protecting Landowners, Combatting Trespassing and
Ensuring Trail Sustainability
(Barrie, ON: November 30, 2022): The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) and the Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicle Clubs (OFATV) announced a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the province’s two largest recreational trail organizations. This first of its kind MOU solidifies a cooperative new approach in organized powersports with the goals to foster the protection, sustainability and growth of motorized recreational trails. The MOU will significantly benefit each Federation, their clubs, volunteers, landowners and trail users, as well as countless trail‐connected communities and tourism businesses across Ontario.
“Through these formal cooperative efforts, we will be able to leverage our collective communities to amplify messaging and strengthen our efforts to combat off‐trail riding, trespassing, and seasonal trail usage” said Ryan Eickmeier, OFSC CEO. “Where shared trails exist, the ability for our respective clubs to work together to build trail and infrastructure is also a definitive win for both organizations”.
With the incredible rise in popularity of powersports in Ontario, this MOU provides an unprecedented opportunity to contribute to the growth of clubs and experience for trail users as well as the integrity of shared trails” said Shari Black, OFATV Executive Director. “Moving forward, riders and clubs in Ontario will benefit from our collaborative approach to working together to encourage the growth of tourism and support the sustainability of our natural resources.”
Through the MOU, the OFSC and OFATV seek to develop inter‐club alignment and collaboration, and where applicable, explore opportunities to share infrastructure and trail maintenance for more cost effective and efficient operations. While leveraging their respective economic and community impacts to increase support from municipal, provincial, and federal government, the federations will proactively partner on government grants and funding opportunities. They will also develop and promote common themes in their respective messaging around safety, seasonal trail usage, trespassing, off‐trail riding, and respecting landowners.
The OFSC and OFATV recognize that many motorized recreational trail users share mutual and overlapping interests as owners of both snowmobilers and ATV’s, using snowmobile trails when they are available in the winter and ATV trails that open in the other seasons. This new MOU will build on these commonalities to strengthen organized powersports and secure the future of motorized recreational trails in Ontario.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is a volunteer led, not for profit association that provides the voice for organized snowmobiling in Ontario. OFSC snowmobile trails managed by 200 community based, member clubs generate up to $3.3 billion in economic activity in the province each year.
The Ontario Federation of All‐Terrain Vehicle Clubs (OFATV) is a not‐for‐profit volunteer‐driven association that along with support staff provides resources to our member clubs so that together, we are able to strengthen the public’s perception and the position; that our clubs strive to provide responsible, safe, legal, and environmentally friendly trails, for riding all‐terrain vehicles (ATVs & ROVs) in the province of Ontario.
OFATV Media Contact:
Shari Black, Executive Director [email protected]: 613‐853‐9225
