COMMISSION

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Ocotillo Wells SVRA – The Harold Soens Youth
Track is designated for riders 12 years old or younger,
riding 90cc or less. Recently, the track was improved
to include several new elements that mimic riding
conditions in the park. The straw bale lined track now
includes alternative trail routes, a miniature hill climb to
test rider’s skills, boulders and rocks to traverse, small
rolling hills, route signage, and two new desert safety
interpretive panels. The track is a great place for kids to
ride under the guidance of parent supervision.
Harold Soens Youth Track
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Interpreters at Hungry Valley and Heber Dunes SVRAs developed Junior Ranger
clubs to teach safe riding and environmental stewardship. The interpreters work
with local elementary schools and the Boys and Girls Club of America to hold their
programs after school.
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OHMVR Division staff participated in the
2015 California Parks Training Conference at
Yosemite. OHMVR Division staff provided a
session to federal, county, and city professionals
about our innovative methods to educate the
public about recreating safely while protecting
cultural and natural resources.
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Grants Program – The Southern California
Mountains Foundation OHV Volunteer program
in partnership with the San Bernardino National
Forest education efforts target current and
future OHV users and recognizes the need to
educate visitors about the importance of responsible recreation and public land
stewardship. The volunteer program has approximately 200 active OHV volunteers,
a paid education outreach coordinator and seasonal education intern with the
remaining leadership positions held by volunteers. This project provides for OHV
related education and safety activities. Activities include conducting area school
presentations, visiting OHV dealerships, hosting informational kiosks, attending
OHV trade shows and/or OHV dealership open houses, conducting educational
rides, printing approved USFS OHV maps and other educational material, updating
stationary kiosks and brochures and sign development, and ATV Safety Institute
OHV teacher training instruction. The OHV volunteers contributed 12,322 hours of
volunteer time towards education and safety during the course of the project, which
was an OHMVR Grant awarded in the 2014/2015 fiscal year.
California State Parks Training Conference
2017 Program Report 43