Nevada Outdoor School Program Promotes Responsible Off-Roading
Off-roading enthusiasts thrive on the exhilaration of exploring the great outdoors and responsible off-roading practices are crucial for preserving the natural environment we all cherish. Nevada Outdoor School’s Ride Safe, Ride Smart program, in collaboration with the Nevada Off-Highway Vehicles Program, Nevada State Parks – Recreational Trails Program, Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Off Road Association (NVORA), Tread Lightly!, University Medical Center and Renown Pediatric Injury Prevention Program plays a vital role in educating and promoting responsible off-roading practices.
Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) is a nationally recognized organization that is committed to providing outdoor education and adventure programs for individuals of all ages. NOS’s mission is to inspire exploration of the natural world, responsible stewardship of our habitat and dedication to community. Recognizing the importance of environmental stewardship in keeping our public lands open for all to enjoy, NOS has developed the Ride Safe, Ride Smart program to promote safe and responsible off-roading practices.
The Ride Safe, Ride Smart (RS2) program offers a comprehensive curriculum that prioritizes safety, understanding of the natural world, and responsible recreation. Its primary objective is to educate off-road vehicle enthusiasts about the importance of safety gear and on minimizing their impact on natural landscapes, wildlife and others. Working with OHV stakeholders, NOS collaborated with Kalkomey Enterprises to develop and launch an online OHV Certification course for OHV riders in Nevada. Additionally, NOS hosts youth rider evaluations, OHV safety trainings, RS2 day camps for 7-17 year olds, RS2 school assemblies and RS2 community events.
The Nevada Off-Highway Vehicles Program plays a vital role in the collaboration with NOS’s Ride Safe, Ride Smart program. As a governing body focused on off-highway vehicle recreation, the Nevada OHV Program provides expertise and support to ensure that responsible off-roading practices are effectively integrated into the program’s mission. Their partnership helps reinforce the importance of adhering to regulations and guidelines set forth by the state, ensuring the sustainability of off-roading activities. According to Mathew Giltner, Executive Director of the Nevada Off Road Association (NVORA), “Of all automobiles sold (in Nevada), 50.8% are 4WD/AWD. Working from the 2021 US DOT statistics, Nevada has around 1,050,000 registered private vehicles. That lands about a half million ‘capable’ off road automobiles just in the silver state”. NVORA is another key partner working with NOS to bring safe and smart OHV education and outreach to people around the state.
Nevada State Parks – Recreational Trails Program, another vital partner in the Ride Safe, Ride Smart program, plays a crucial role in promoting responsible off-roading and ensuring the safety of outdoor enthusiasts. As custodians of the state’s natural treasures, Nevada State Parks actively supports educating the public about safe off-highway vehicle (OHV) activities. Through their extensive knowledge of the local landscapes and expertise in land management, Nevada State Parks provides valuable insights and resources to the Ride Safe, Ride Smart program. Their collaboration reinforces the program’s commitment to responsible off-roading practices and enhances the participants understanding of the importance of preserving and respecting the diverse ecosystems found within the state’s parks and recreational areas. By including Nevada State Parks as a partner, the Ride Safe, Ride Smart program ensures that OHV enthusiasts have access to comprehensive and accurate information that promotes safe and sustainable OHV recreation throughout Nevada’s beautiful state parks.
A key part of the Ride Safe, Ride Smart program is safety. Renown Children’s Hospital, in northern Nevada is an essential collaborator, emphasizing the significance of safety and injury prevention during off-roading adventures. Their expertise in medical care, particularly in addressing off-road vehicle-related injuries, provides valuable insights and guidance to participants. Renown Children’s Hospital involvement reinforces the program’s emphasis on promoting safe practices such as helmet use, reducing accidents, and fostering a culture of responsible off-roading. Renown Children’s Injury Prevention Program has been working closely with the OHV community and its key stakeholders to devise a strategic plan to reduce pediatric injuries involving OHVs. Jorge Montano-Figueroa, Pediatric Injury Prevention Specialist with Renown says, “Over the last 3 years, we have seen a rise in the incidence and injury severity of pediatric patients from crashes involving OHV’s. About 47% of (OHV) injuries were located beyond a 50-mile radius from a level II trauma center, suggesting a transport time of over 60 minutes.”
University Medical Center (UMC) and its Healthy Living Institute in Las Vegas, NV, joined the Ride Safe, Ride Smart partnership to focus on learning opportunities to community members in southern Nevada focusing on the importance of OHV safety, particularly in youth. Amy Runge, Clinical Nurse Manager of the Healthy Living Institute at UMC said, “As the home to Southern Nevada’s only Designated Pediatric Trauma Center, UMC Children’s Hospital cares for our community’s most critically injured children. Off-roading is an increasingly popular activity for families to enjoy together, and our hospital treats a significant number of injuries each year related to off-highway vehicles. At the Healthy Living Institute at UMC, we do everything we can to prevent potentially life-changing injuries for children before they end up in one of our hospital beds. That is why joining this effort was so important to our organization. We believe bringing safety education and resources directly to families on the dunes will ultimately help save lives in our community.”
With OHV safety (especially for youth) at the top of mind, the NV OHV Youth Helmet Program was created by OHV recreationalists, land managers and industry partners for educational outreach. We act together as force multipliers for a greater good in the OHV community. In 2023, approximately 275 helmets were provided and fitted for immediate use on children in OHV “hot spots” identified with the help of our BLM partners at the Sand Mountain Recreation Area near Fallon, Nevada. Additionally, the Nevada OHV Youth Helmet Program convened in Clark County on Saturday, December 30, 2023, for a community education and safety event. Supported by volunteers from NVORA, UMC, NOS, Tread Lightly!, BLM Las Vegas Field Office, and local OHV clubs, children under 16 were provided with complimentary custom-fitted Axel Offroad USA helmets. Within just 4 hours at the Nellis Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, over 75 youngsters received these helmets at no cost, thanks to funding from UMC’s Healthy Living Institute & Wellness Center.
Laura Butcher, Tread Lightly! Nevada Program Manager explains, “The partnership that has formed to create the Nevada OHV Youth Helmet Program is one of great pride and joy for me, as it should be for the rest of Nevada’s off-road community. There are many facets of OHV use, but safety is paramount to all. There is no greater cause, in my opinion, than the safety and education of our youth to secure the best possible future for OHV. The Nevada OHV Youth Helmet Program addresses that need head-on, in the dirt where we can have meaningful interactions with children and their families directly. We understand Nevadans’ rights to make their own choices, but our mission is to help them make the most educated decisions possible for the wellbeing of their children and the longevity of OHV (safety) holistically.”
The Ride Safe, Ride Smart program also incorporates essential responsible Tread Lightly! principles to educate participants. These principles include:
a. TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY on land by staying on designated roads, trails, and areas. Go over, not around obstacles to avoid widening the trails. Cross streams only at designated fords. When possible, avoid wet, muddy trails. On water, stay on designated waterways and launch your watercraft in designated areas.
b. RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS including private property owners, all recreational trail users, campers and others so they can enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Leave gates as you find them. Yield right of way to those passing you or going uphill. On water, respect anglers, swimmers, skiers, boaters, divers, and those on or near shore.
c. EDUCATE YOURSELF prior to your trip by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies. Plan for your trip, take recreational skills classes, and know how to operate your equipment safely.
d. AVOID SENSITIVE AREAS on land such as meadows, lake shores, wetlands, and streams. Always ride with caution any time water is present. Wet soils are more susceptible to damage. Riding along river and stream beds causes erosion and habitat destruction. Stay on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitats and sensitive soils from damage. Don’t disturb historical, archeological or paleontological sites. On water, avoid operating your watercraft in shallow waters or near shorelines at high speeds.
e. DO YOUR PART by modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species, and repairing degraded areas.
Nevada Outdoor School’s Ride Safe Ride Smart program plays a vital role in promoting responsible off-roading practices. By incorporating the principles of responsible off-roading into their curriculum, the program educates participants on minimizing their impact on the environment while enjoying outdoor activities. With the support and expertise of our partners, the program ensures that safety, environmental stewardship, and injury prevention are paramount in the off-roading community.
Through education, awareness, and collaborative efforts, we can create a sustainable future where responsible off-roading thrives while preserving the natural beauty of our surroundings.
For more information about the Ride Safe, Ride Smart program, online safety courses, OHV day camps, rider evaluations and more,visit the NOS website: And remember, Get Outside! It’s Great for Everyone, and if you drive or ride in or on an OHV, register your vehicle and please wear a helmet. It could save your life.
Guest article thanks to Melanie Erquiga, Executive Director of the Nevada Outdoor School.
