Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Awards More Than $350,000 in 2016

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA has announced that Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative awarded more than $350,000 in funds and equipment to 26 grant recipients in 2016. The final grants for 2016 comprised more than $73,000 awarded to four recipients, including support for both National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF Day) and the Progressive Agricultural Foundation’s Safety Day program.

“For a decade, Yamaha has been supporting National Hunting and Fishing Day’s message of responsible outdoor recreation and open access, and with an Access Initiative grant to the Progressive Agricultural Foundation, we extend that message to families and youth in the farming and ranching communities across the country,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV and SxS group marketing manager. “With the challenges facing access to our nation’s land, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative remains a steadfast resource supporting those working to responsibly, safely and sustainably protect and expand the opportunities for enjoying the outdoors.”

The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative continues to serve the greater outdoor recreational community, promoting safe and responsible use of ATV and SxS vehicles, as well as providing support for grassroots projects that protect, expand and improve access to land for diverse, public use and enjoyment. Most recently Yamaha worked to spread awareness of the importance of open and sustainable access at the 2017 National Shooting Sport Foundation’s (NSSF) SHOT Show in Las Vegas — an event that brought together more than 64,000 professionals in the shooting, hunting and outdoors industry.

The 2016 Q4 Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative grant recipients are:

Alvwood Squaw Lake ATV Club, Minnesota
Montana Trail Vehicle Riders Association, Montana
National Hunting and Fishing Day – Wonders of Wildlife, Missouri
The Progressive Agriculture Foundation, Alabama

For more information: www.YamahaOAI.com.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.