In partnership with Tread Lightly! and Arizona State Parks and Trails, the Arizona Office of Tourism is sharing how you can responsibly enjoy the outdoors while visiting Arizona's vast and diverse outdoor environments by off-highway vehicle (OHV). In this series, we break down each of the T.R.E.A.D principles.
A - Avoid Sensitive Areas
When you hit the trails on an off-highway vehicle (OHV), don't forget to avoid sensitive areas. Follow these tips to ensure you're not disturbing any protected or sensitive environments.
- Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lake shores, wetlands and streams. Stay on designated routes.
- Other sensitive habitats to avoid include living desert soils, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas.
- Do not disturb historical, archeological or paleontological sites.
- Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance.
- Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in designated Wilderness Areas.
About Tread Lightly!
Tread Lightly! is a non-profit organization that leads a national initiative to promote the responsible use of motorized vehicles when recreating outdoors. Their goal is to balance the off-road and off-highway vehicle (OHV) users’ need for adventure with the need to conserve the places where they ride and explore.
To support this, they offer a wide range of projects, programs, trainings, and educational materials to promote a responsible outdoor recreation message. Their work includes educating off-road and OHV users on responsible riding practices, reducing the impact on the environment and protecting natural and cultural resources.
Header image credit: An Pham
Arizona Office of Tourism
These articles are brought to you by the staff of the Arizona Office of Tourism, and occasionally local tourism organizations around the state.
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