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Lori McCullough, Executive Director
Tread Lightly!, Inc. "I think it’s fair to say the mutual interests, shared values and common goals between the NWTF and Tread Lightly! overlap and intersect in so many ways, establishing a formal relationship between our two organizations was a no-brainer."
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NWTF and Tread Lightly! is a natural fit
At Tread Lightly!, we work to protect access to our nation’s natural treasures so that anyone and everyone can responsibly enjoy their favorite recreational pastime, where appropriate, on either land or water. We do this by advocating an outdoor ethic of stewardship, as in our responsibility to care for our land, air, wildlife and water, so future generations can enjoy them.
To be a good steward, we teach people to model it, mentor it and mend it if need be. Or, another way of putting it is, we teach people to show it, tell it and make reparation when and where necessary. That’s what a good steward is or does if fully committed to an ethic.
Tread Lightly!’s core focus is on people who use or are affected by the use of motorized and mechanized vehicles in the outdoors. That’s everyone from hunters, campers and anglers to equestrians, snowmobilers, four-wheelers, bikers and even hikers. The list goes on. The community of outdoor enthusiasts in America is huge, as well as diverse. So if the goal (and it is) is to ensure America has a society of good outdoor stewards, it is imperative Tread Lightly! collaborate with organizations that share this common goal. The goal is, in my opinion, otherwise unobtainable.
For decades, the number of people using motorized vehicles has been on the rise whether it’s to haul people or equipment to the field, retrieve game or simply travel off-road. Additionally, the number of vehicles like ATVs used by people actively engaged in hunting, fishing or both has also been on the rise. So, a few years ago, we began actively seeking strategic alliances in the hunting community (the original and greatest conservationists), and we discovered one of the most credible and influential organizations in the hunting community, the NWTF. And rightfully so, with programs like Women in the Outdoors, JAKES and Wheelin’ Sportsmen, not to mention the role the NWTF plays in bringing back North America’s wild turkey population.
I think it’s fair to say the mutual interests, shared values and common goals between the NWTF and Tread Lightly! overlap and intersect in so many ways, establishing a formal relationship between our two organizations was a no-brainer.
It’s important to find a balance between people who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle and maintaining a healthy environment. However, to truly conserve and protect America’s outdoor heritage, it is also vitally important to motivate responsible recreation as a lifestyle for the health of the American people, as well as to nurture future stewards of our environment.
All across America, we are experiencing a loss of outdoor access and opportunities at a rate so alarming, it demands our immediate attention and action. To some degree, access is lost as a result of unacceptable damage caused by a minority of recreationists who are either uninformed or uncaring of the consequences of their actions. Their actions hurt us all. The majority of land managers and academics I’ve talked to agree that most damage is caused by the uninformed, so reversing this trend is realistic and a trend the NWTF and Tread Lightly! have joined forces to reverse.
Together, the NTWF and Tread Lightly! are trying to raise awareness that respected access is open access. This simple message that responsible behavior leads to continued access will help us maintain and even enhance access to both public and private lands for a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hunting, recreational shooting and more.
It’s been less than a year since we made this partnership official, which is remarkable given the strength of our young relationship with the Federation. On behalf of Tread Lightly!’s entire staff, board of directors and membership, we look to what the relationship brings in year two and beyond. Together, we can do amazing things. — Lori McCullough, executive director, Tread Lightly!, Inc.
WANT MORE? > Visit www.treadlightly.org for information on how hunters can help care for our natural resources.