Nonprofit enters next chapter of national growth while staying grounded in its roots
NORTH SALT LAKE, UT – [Date] – Tread Lightly!, the national nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation through stewardship and education, today announced the appointment of James Boyd as its new Executive Director as the organization celebrates its 35th anniversary and looks ahead to its next chapter of national growth.
Founded as a U.S. Forest Service campaign in 1990 and now a national nonprofit, Tread Lightly! has spent three and a half decades balancing the thrill of off-highway vehicle (OHV) adventure with the responsibility of conservation. With OHV participation at record highs nationwide, the organization is entering a pivotal phase of growth with a bold vision to expand its size, reach, and impact—ensuring that responsible recreation protects access today and for future generations.
“Tread Lightly! at our roots is focused on awareness through education and stewardship,” said Harold Phillips, Board Chair of Tread Lightly! “As we celebrate 35 years of impact, it is important that our growth continues to honor those foundations. James brings nonprofit leadership, experience building effective education programs, and the proven ability to strengthen organizations through fundraising and systems. He is the right leader to carry forward Tread Lightly!’s legacy into the future.”
Boyd, a Tread Lightly! member and volunteer, brings more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience. While serving on the executive team at CAPSA, a nonprofit serving Northern Utah and Southern Idaho, he helped the organization grow and scale by expanding fundraising, strengthening systems, and building capacity.
As Tread Lightly! celebrates 35 years of impact, it also looks to the future. OHV and outdoor recreation participation are at record highs, putting increased pressure on public lands. This growth makes Tread Lightly!’s mission more important than ever: to protect access by educating users and leading on-the-ground stewardship.
“As participation in OHV and outdoor recreation continues to grow, the importance of Tread Lightly!’s mission has never been greater,” added Phillips. “We are proud to celebrate 35 years of impact, but we also know this is just the beginning. James is the right leader to help us expand our national presence, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that education and stewardship remain at the heart of everything we do.”
Boyd brings experience building training programs that connect learning to real-world action, which will strengthen Tread Training and equip more recreationists to protect access and practice responsible stewardship.
“It is humbling to step into this role during Tread Lightly!’s 35th year,” said Boyd. “This organization has built an incredible legacy of stewardship and education, and I am honored to help carry that forward. My focus will be on strengthening partnerships, elevating training, and empowering our members and volunteers so that together we can protect access today and for future generations. I look forward to listening, learning, and working side by side with you to expand our impact and safeguard the places we all love to ride and explore.”
Tread Lightly! by the Numbers
–271 projects in 2023, restoring 2,350+ miles of trails and removing 240,000 lbs of trash
-104 projects in 2024, improving nearly 1,967 miles of trails and removing 259,000 lbs of trash
–4,600 volunteers in 2024, a 50% increase from the prior year
–Millions reached annually through ethics education campaigns, trainings, and outreach
“Tread Lightly!’s strength has always come from our volunteers, members, and sponsors,” Boyd added. “I invite you to join our mission—become an individual or club member, step up as a sponsor, or take our online training to learn how to Tread Lightly! Every action helps protect access today and builds a legacy of responsible recreation for the generations that will follow us.”
About Tread Lightly!
Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible recreation through stewardship and education. Its award-winning training, restoration, and outreach programs help outdoor enthusiasts and industry partners protect access while maintaining a healthy environment. By joining as a member or partner, individuals and businesses can support solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing recreation issues and help keep trails open for future generations. Learn more at www.treadlightly.org.
The post Tread Lightly! Marks 35th Anniversary with Appointment of New Executive Director James Boyd appeared first on Tread Lightly!.
Continue reading...
NORTH SALT LAKE, UT – [Date] – Tread Lightly!, the national nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation through stewardship and education, today announced the appointment of James Boyd as its new Executive Director as the organization celebrates its 35th anniversary and looks ahead to its next chapter of national growth.
Founded as a U.S. Forest Service campaign in 1990 and now a national nonprofit, Tread Lightly! has spent three and a half decades balancing the thrill of off-highway vehicle (OHV) adventure with the responsibility of conservation. With OHV participation at record highs nationwide, the organization is entering a pivotal phase of growth with a bold vision to expand its size, reach, and impact—ensuring that responsible recreation protects access today and for future generations.
“Tread Lightly! at our roots is focused on awareness through education and stewardship,” said Harold Phillips, Board Chair of Tread Lightly! “As we celebrate 35 years of impact, it is important that our growth continues to honor those foundations. James brings nonprofit leadership, experience building effective education programs, and the proven ability to strengthen organizations through fundraising and systems. He is the right leader to carry forward Tread Lightly!’s legacy into the future.”
Boyd, a Tread Lightly! member and volunteer, brings more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience. While serving on the executive team at CAPSA, a nonprofit serving Northern Utah and Southern Idaho, he helped the organization grow and scale by expanding fundraising, strengthening systems, and building capacity.
As Tread Lightly! celebrates 35 years of impact, it also looks to the future. OHV and outdoor recreation participation are at record highs, putting increased pressure on public lands. This growth makes Tread Lightly!’s mission more important than ever: to protect access by educating users and leading on-the-ground stewardship.
“As participation in OHV and outdoor recreation continues to grow, the importance of Tread Lightly!’s mission has never been greater,” added Phillips. “We are proud to celebrate 35 years of impact, but we also know this is just the beginning. James is the right leader to help us expand our national presence, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that education and stewardship remain at the heart of everything we do.”
Boyd brings experience building training programs that connect learning to real-world action, which will strengthen Tread Training and equip more recreationists to protect access and practice responsible stewardship.
“It is humbling to step into this role during Tread Lightly!’s 35th year,” said Boyd. “This organization has built an incredible legacy of stewardship and education, and I am honored to help carry that forward. My focus will be on strengthening partnerships, elevating training, and empowering our members and volunteers so that together we can protect access today and for future generations. I look forward to listening, learning, and working side by side with you to expand our impact and safeguard the places we all love to ride and explore.”
Tread Lightly! by the Numbers
–271 projects in 2023, restoring 2,350+ miles of trails and removing 240,000 lbs of trash
-104 projects in 2024, improving nearly 1,967 miles of trails and removing 259,000 lbs of trash
–4,600 volunteers in 2024, a 50% increase from the prior year
–Millions reached annually through ethics education campaigns, trainings, and outreach
“Tread Lightly!’s strength has always come from our volunteers, members, and sponsors,” Boyd added. “I invite you to join our mission—become an individual or club member, step up as a sponsor, or take our online training to learn how to Tread Lightly! Every action helps protect access today and builds a legacy of responsible recreation for the generations that will follow us.”
About Tread Lightly!
Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible recreation through stewardship and education. Its award-winning training, restoration, and outreach programs help outdoor enthusiasts and industry partners protect access while maintaining a healthy environment. By joining as a member or partner, individuals and businesses can support solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing recreation issues and help keep trails open for future generations. Learn more at www.treadlightly.org.
The post Tread Lightly! Marks 35th Anniversary with Appointment of New Executive Director James Boyd appeared first on Tread Lightly!.
Continue reading...