National Trail Clean-Up Day Set for July

The second annual National Trail Clean-Up Day is returning in 2021 and will be held July 17-18, organizers announced.

The goal of National Trail Clean-Up Day is to have groups across the country organize and participate in trail clean-ups in their area, then share their work with photos or videos on the National Trail Clean-Up Day Facebook page. This will create a library of images of how the off-road community takes care of the land, trails, deserts and beaches they use, which will be used to emphasize the importance of good stewardship and trail etiquette.

Those who participate are encouraged to use the event’s Facebook page to indicate their group’s interest, request information, find groups with which to participate and post pictures or videos after the event.

National Trail Clean-Up Day was created in the spring of 2020 by SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) Council members Wendy Miles, sales manager of THE SHOP Magazine, and Matt Martelli, CEO and co-owner of The Mint 400, who share a passion for maintaining trails and off-highway areas on public lands. Taking inspiration from the ‘Mint 400 Desert Clean Up,’ the idea for a national cleanup day was born, organizers said, and while every day is cleanup day on the trails, the purpose of the event is to reemphasize focus on stewardship and etiquette, especially for novice users.

“Being part of the off-road community means being good stewards of public lands in order to be allowed continued access to them,” Miles said. “If we don’t take care of our trails, they will be taken away, so the goal of National Trail Clean-Up Day is to set an example of how to be a good steward, especially for those who are new or don’t know how.”

Several organizations and businesses are working together to promote the national event, including Tread Lightly!, the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and more.

“The increase in outdoor recreation is definitely putting a strain on our public lands and the land managers. We encourage everyone to take some time and do your part to help keep trails open and accessible,” said Matt Caldwell, executive director, Tread Lightly!

“Peer-to-peer help on the trail is more discreet if someone messes up,” said Dave Logan, ORBA program manager and owner of Atlanta-based 4WD School. “Ultimately, the trail leader and tail gunner should be role models and hopefully more experienced drivers set a good example, too.”

Fred Wiley, president/CEO of the ORBA also expressed his excitement for the event and said he is proud to be a part of the second annual National Trail Clean-Up Day.

“From the local Mom and Pop businesses to the large international corporations, keeping our world clean, healthy and safe is at the top of our priority list,” Wiley said. “Thanks to everyone who helped last year and to all who I know will be pitching in this year.”

While National Trail Clean-Up Day is an annual opportunity to practice being a good caretaker of public lands, Miles has made the effort to practice proper etiquette every time she hits the trail.

“When running trails, I always assumed other users knew what they were doing. I was wrong,” Miles said. “After being on a couple of trail runs with novice off-roaders or people I didn’t know, I started a checklist to go over with the group before we take off on a run.”

Miles’ personal checklist for trail etiquette:

• Pick up trash! If you see anything that doesn’t belong, pick it up. Keep gloves and trash bags in your rig.
• Stay the Trail! Trails were designed in a specific way to ensure proper water drainage, great scenery, the right amount of seat time and to do the least damage to the area. If you can’t go through, go back.
• Yield to bikes, horses and hikers.
• Yield to vehicles driving uphill.
• Use hand signals! If you have 5 or more vehicles in your group behind you, show five fingers and so on. If you are the last person, hold up a fist.
• Watch for the person behind you! If you can’t see them, slow down until you can in case they are having trouble. Also, it is very important to make sure they are making the turns and don’t lose the group. No rig left behind!
• If you stop as a group, pull off far enough for other trail users to pass.
• When in Moab, do not walk, drive, touch or dig through Cryptobiotic Crust. It is very fragile.