onX Off-Road & Tread Lightly! Clean Up 8,400 Pounds of Trash on Trails

As an off-roader, few things are more frustrating, disappointing, and bothersome than finding other peoples' garbage left strewn across the trails we all enjoy. It's outright disrespectful towards those who care for those areas and even more so towards Mother Nature. There is an on-going tension between engine-powered, ped-powered communities which can often be subdued by a unified regard for our environment while riding, walking, or otherwise. And it's finally this is becoming common practice, thanks in no small part to organizations and figureheads who champion projects to clean up and maintain our outdoor recreational spaces.

Some of those good people are working hand-in-hand with onX Off-Road and Tread Lightly! on their "Project 1,000" nonprofit, which recently cleaned up over 8,400 pounds of garbage from Michigan's trails. The organization's undertaking was an impressive one, with the effort in late June going beyond trash cleanup. Over 375 hours of combined labor hours invested, the initiative was also able to install 1,120 feet of protective fencing and 7 trail signs. In total, over 75 miles of trail were improved thanks to 56 volunteers.

"Project 1,000" is rather impressive in of itself, too. Named for its goal of engaging 1,000 outdoors enthusiasts, the effort is meant to bring about action from onX and Tread Lightly! members and users, and has an ultimate goal of encouraging enthusiasts to clean and restore land and trails across the USA. There are five main locations that are the focus of this year's effort, all across Michigan: Mio Huran Trail, Sand Lake Huron Shores, Holly Oaks ORV Park, Hiawatha Central/Eastern Upper Peninsula, and Ontonagon Western Upper Peninsula. The projects range from repairing fences to installing signage to debris and garbage cleanup.

"We're thrilled to partner with Tread Lightly! for this unique, state-wide initiative," said Becky Marcelliano, onX Senior Brand Manager – Advocacy. "Our mapping technology helps off-road enthusiasts explore responsibly, and we're committed to giving back to the communities and environments that make these adventures possible."