Executive Director’s Desk

As we flip the calendar to September, the signs of change are already here. This past weekend, I spotted my first colored leaf. Before long, fall will settle across Michigan, snow will follow, and voters will once again choose those who will lead our state and...

Don't Let Yesterday Steal Tomorrow's Ride Some people lose their love of recreation long before they stop riding. Not because the trails disappear. Not because they can no longer enjoy the outdoors. But because every conversation about their recreation becomes another...

When the Voices Fade, Access Follows Another advocacy group has succumbed to dissolution. Another recreational organization has lost the collective voice of its users. Michigan United Conservation Clubs, an organization that served Michigan’s outdoor community for...

Looking Back to Move Forward: The Successes and Challenges of MISORVA and MSA For more than four decades, the Michigan Snowmobile Association (MSA) and, today, the Michigan Snowmobile & ORV Association (MISORVA) have served as the collective voice for...

Hope Is Not a Strategy — Your Voice Matters Maybe hope feels easier than answers. It’s comfortable to believe that decisions will be made in the best interest of your recreation. To trust that someone, somewhere, will get it right. But hope alone doesn’t protect...

We are here for the marathon, not just the sprint. Motorized recreation continues to grow, and with a great winter season behind us, many of us are now transitioning from the seat of our snowmobiles to our ORVs. As we make that seasonal shift, I want to encourage each...

Volunteers, Partnerships, and the Strength of Our Trail Community MISORVA extends a heartfelt thank-you to our dedicated snowmobile grant sponsor clubs. These clubs are the backbone of Michigan’s snowmobile trail system, and their volunteers spend countless hours...

DNR officials receive raises each year. Snowmobile permits increase every five years based on CPI. The number of employees administering the snow program has increased over the past decade — while trail miles have decreased. If you do the math, it’s not hard to see...

Time for Some History — and Clarification The issue of wheeled vehicles operating on groomed snowmobile trails is not new. This discussion began around 2008 with the Michigan Snowmobile Association (MSA) and continued with MISORVA. The legislation has been debated in...

Bringing Light to Recreation: Where Do Your Permit Dollars Go? MISORVA attended the Powersports USA Show in Novi this past weekend, and once again, I was amazed by how many enthusiasts still don’t know where their trail permit dollars go. When asked if they were...

Proposed Forest Road Access Changes: What You Need to Know The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced proposed changes affecting access to forest roads located on State of Michigan public lands. These proposals may include closing certain roads...

The bylaws, a cornerstone of our organization, safeguard the rights and responsibilities of directors, executives, and other stakeholders. They establish transparent processes for elections and for resolving disputes that may arise. Notably, the general membership...

I feel sorry for those who have never been able to ride a snowmobile across the frozen terrain here in Michigan. Growing up in western Michigan with a family of six kids, we preferred sledding. However, my love for snowmobiles began when I met my husband, an avid...

Occasionally, we encounter individuals who go above and beyond to make a positive impact. Such is the case with Rick Brown. Rick played a crucial role in shaping the world of organized snowmobiling. He served as a leader, mentor, and friend to countless individuals....

Well, as 2022 comes to a close, this also means HB 4535 died in the Senate like hundreds of other pieces of introduced legislation.  The question now will be: do we push forward again?  MISORVA has seen members not renew due to HB 4535 and far more who joined in...