Manitoba4WDAssociation

admin · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:43 pm Post subject: What the MB4WDA is about

Date: 14Feb09

On Feb 1st 2009, multiple 4WD clubs from across Manitoba met to discuss the formation of the MB4WDA as a voice for the 4WD community in Manitoba. With talk of land closure or restricted access to trails, the 4WD community wanted to ensure our voice was heard and we were included in discussions to solutions. In the past it seemed that any discussions were mainly held with ATV and Snowmobile organizations. The founding clubs at the meeting were the Manitoba Land Rover Club, Wilderness & Off Road Enthusiasts, the Red River Jeep Club and the Westman Jeep Association.
One of the goals of the MB4WDA is the education of all trail users in Manitoba. The member clubs perform part of this function by having open to all organized trail rides emphasizing safe 4WD practices and the importance of preserving existing trails. Member clubs currently follow the guidelines set out by Tread Lightly and are required to follow the MB4WDA guidelines as well. It is the MB4WDA’s hope to further promote safe and environmentally friendly motorized vehicle practices by attending other trail users events and working with Provincial and Municipal levels of Government.
Another issue we are dealing with is public perception. By promoting our member clubs as safe and environmentally responsible we hope to dispel some myths and misconceptions the public may have in regards to the 4WD recreational pastime. One of the guidelines that the member clubs have is it to “pack out more than you bring in”. What that means is that member clubs pack out more garbage than they brought out with them, effectively helping clean up a trail during organized runs. How many times have you tried to enjoy your outdoor recreational activity just to find garbage laying around from people who were to cheap to drop it off at a garbage dump. We don’t enjoy that either and have tried to be part of the solution.
All outdoor activity groups know that sometimes there are people who just don’t know any better or worse still, just don’t plain care about keeping trails cleaned up or just plain staying on the trail to preserve it for future generations. The MB4WDA wants to be part of that solution as well, by encouraging those people to get involved with their local member clubs and thus becoming part of the solution and not the problem. We are currently looking for ways to actively promote safe, responsible and environmentally friendly practices before new uninformed users get to outdoor trails.
In the end, it’s about keeping the trails open to all and available to future generations of Manitobans. It’s about safe responsible practices. It’s about environmentally responsible practices. It’s about educating the public on who we are and what we stand for.

Thank you,
MB4WDA