Frequently Asked Questions
Why “Tread Lightly!”?
Encouraging responsible recreation on public lands will help us maintain access for future generations. Treading lightly will prevent natural resource damage, strengthen wildlife, protect water resources and reduce conflict with other recreationists or land owners. Remember, respected access is open access.
What is the history behind Tread Lightly!?
Tread Lightly!® is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible outdoor recreation through ethics education and stewardship. The program was launched in 1985 by the US Forest Service to address increased use of off highway vehicles on public lands and it became a nonprofit organization in 1990. Visit About Us for more information.
How can I Tread Lightly!?
By following the 5 TREAD Principles and reviewing the tips Tread Lightly! offers. Visit the responsible tips page for more information.
What are the 5 TREAD Principles?
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.
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 found 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.
Educate Yourself prior to your trip by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies. Plan for your trip, take recreation skills classes and know how to operate your equipment safely.
Avoid Sensitive Areas on land such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams. 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.
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.
These principles can also be found here.
Where does Tread Lightly! get funding?
Most of the funding that Tread Lightly! receives is from the private sector, such as corporate donations and contributions from members – like recreation clubs, outfitters, dealers and individuals. A small amount comes from the Government (Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails Program, as well as state grants).
I really like the idea of Tread Lightly!. How can I get involved?
Become a Member! Click here for more information on individual membership.
The easiest way to get involved and promote the message is to encourage responsible recreation in the community.
Can I use the Tread Lightly logo? Where can I get it and how can I use it?
Written permission to use the Tread Lightly! logo may be obtained in some circumstances and for educational use only.
Many corporations find it good business to support Tread Lightly!. By becoming an Official Partner, you will be able to utilize the Tread Lightly! Official Partnership Logo.
I’d like to request materials for an event. How do I do this?
The Tread Trainer Education Trunk is one of the best ways to spread the Tread Lightly message. It’s easier than ever now! Click here for more information on building your own education trunk. For more supplies visit our educational materials store.
Can I reprint Tread Lightly! principles?
Of course! Tread Lightly! principles are meant to be shared and supported. They can be printed and reproduced in their entirety without permission at any time. However, they cannot be changed or modified without permission from Tread Lightly!.
How can I volunteer with Tread Lightly!?
The Tread Trainer program also allows people to get involved with spreading the Tread Lightly! message. Click here for more information on becoming a Tread Trainer or finding one in your area.
Another great way to get involved is to become an official friend of Tread Lightly!. Click here for more information on becoming an official friend.
Volunteer by “Doing Your Part” and appling for a grant from the new Tread Lightly Stewardship Grant program. Tread Lightly!’s Stewardship Grants are designed to help individuals and clubs organize clean-ups, trail maintenance work days and other small stewardship projects. The maximum grant amount is $500, and those funds can be used to rent equipment or purchase supplies like garbage bags, water, or snacks for volunteers, etc.
How can I become a member and how much does it cost?
The cost of membership varies between the types of memberships. For more information, click here. We have 1-year, 3-year and lifetime memberships available.
How does the Goodyear Rebate work? How much of a discount do I get?
Through an expanded relationship with Chrysler, all current 3-year and lifetime Tread Lightly! Individual Members can now receive a discount on a new Jeep, Dodge, Ram or Chrysler vehicle. Also, 1-year, 3-year and life members can get a $100 mail-in rebate on select sets of 4 Goodyear Wrangler tires. All members can also receive a discount from Foremost Insurance, which specializes in insuring off-road vehicles. Visit the discount information page for more information.
Our company/organization/agency wants to join as a partner. How can we do this?
Click here for information on the levels of involvement of partners.
Click here for the Official Partner application.
Who provides Tread Lightly! Tread Trainer courses?
Tread Lightly! staff are the only providers of the Master Tread Trainer course. Tread Lightly! staff and Master Tread Trainers can provide the Tread Trainer course. Tread Trainers are equipped to provide Tread Lightly! awareness programming.
How can I get into a Tread Trainer class? What is the cost?
The cost ranges from no cost to $50, depending on who sponsors the course. Master Tread Trainer courses range from no cost to $75.
Click here for more information or to locate a Trainer.
Does Tread Lightly! training expire?
Tread Trainers must provide one Tread Lightly! promotion or presentation within two years of their initial training to remain active, and each two years thereafter. If this requirement is not met, the Tread Trainer will no longer be active.
How can I request a Tread Trainer course in my state?
Fill out this application and Tread Lightly! will work to help you get trained.
What is Restoration for Recreation?
Tread Lightly! established its Restoration for Recreation® program in 1997. Since then, Tread Lightly!, its government partners, industry and non-governmental partners, along with the sweat of volunteers have been transforming damaged and degraded areas into enjoyable recreation resources. The program also educates the public about outdoor ethics to minimize future impacts.
Click here for more information.
What is the Respected Access Campaign?
Respected Access is Open Access is a multi-dimensional education and outreach campaign designed by Tread Lightly!. The message is simple – responsible behavior leads to continued access. Respected Access is Open Access was created at the request of the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Roundtable. The collective goals are to maintain and enhance access to public and private lands for continued and expanded opportunities to enjoy hunting, angling and other types of outdoor recreation.
How many different ethics quick-tip brochures are there?
There are 18 different brochures covering a variety of recreational activities both motorized and non motorized. We also have one brochure on trail sharing and the basic Tread Lightly! Informational pamphlet. Click here for more information.
