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 maintaining the trails we all enjoy.
One of the most encouraging trends we are seeing is snowmobile clubs partnering with local ORV trail maintenance clubs. As motorized users come together and learn more about each other’s recreation, everyone benefits. Recreation—like most things in life—is simply better with numbers.
Think about how you ride. You gather a group of friends, head out to explore the trails, find a new lunch stop, or ride to a scenic overlook. It’s always more fun with a group. The same concept applies to trail maintenance.
When clubs work together, the workload is shared, meaning less work for each volunteer. Snowmobile clubs will soon begin spring cleanup and gate closures, while ORV clubs prepare for their season by clearing brush and opening trails. More helping hands mean projects get done faster, and volunteers can spend more time actually enjoying the recreation they work so hard to support.
Trail maintenance is demanding work, and many of our long-time volunteers are getting older. Projects that once took a day can now take much longer, and that can be frustrating for clubs that are already short on help.
The good news is that most clubs welcome an extra set of boots on the ground. Walking the trail, clearing brush, or helping prepare the trail for the next season can make a huge difference.
Not everyone can volunteer every weekend—or even once a month—and that’s okay. But could you spare an afternoon? Bring your buggy, a chainsaw, and a willingness to help. Clubs will gladly welcome a smiling face.
In return, you gain the simple rewards of time in the woods, a sense of accomplishment, and often new friendships with people who share your passion for riding.
The Michigan DNR is also working on a new initiative that will introduce Trail Ambassadors.
Details are still being finalized, but early information suggests volunteers may help by:
- Checking ORV and non-motorized trails for hazards
- Ensuring proper signage is in place
- Offering trail information to other users
- Acting as good stewards of Michigan’s forests and trail systems
As this program develops and more information becomes available, I will share updates.
This year’s MISORVA & DNR Groomer Workshop was an outstanding success.
We had representatives from 42 of our 67 snowmobile grant sponsor clubs, along with DNR staff and several industry partners in attendance.
Participants had the opportunity not only to test grooming equipment, but also to attend a hands-on equipment maintenance class at the Sault Ste. Marie groomer barn. A big thank you to the local club for hosting.
Our industry partners brought equipment directly to the barn and demonstrated what operators should watch for during grooming operations. Preventive maintenance is incredibly important. Catching small issues early can save thousands of dollars and help ensure more money stays in the Snowmobile Trail Improvement Fund for future equipment purchases.
Support the Clubs That Support Your Trails
Have you ever attended a club bake sale, spaghetti dinner, or fundraiser?
These events are not held because volunteers are bored or looking for something to do. They are essential fundraisers that help clubs survive.
The trail program does not pay for:
- Club electric bills
- Heating fuel for barns
- Chainsaws and pole saws
- Shop tools and jacks
- Many other day-to-day operational costs
Those expenses often come directly from club fundraisers or the pockets of volunteers.
Local clubs need your support to continue their work—just as MISORVA depends on membership support to continue advocating for riders.
Without MISORVA, riders would lose their collective voice with the only oversight body for the DNR—your elected legislators.
MISORVA brings the voice of riders and volunteers to Lansing and helps legislators understand the tremendous value motorized recreation brings to Michigan.
Motorized recreation supports small businesses across the state—from the local coffee shop to the restaurants, gas stations, and hotels that depend on winter tourism.
And sometimes, the trails lead us to places the highways never could.
Support Your Association. Support Your Local Clubs.
Together we protect the future of riding.