RESPONSIBLE ROAMING

With the freedom of Jeep® vehicles comes the responsibility of maintaining the beauty of the land and respecting the rights of other recreational off-road enthusiasts.

That's why the Jeep Brand involves itself with many environmental organizations dedicated to preserving the environment now and for the future.

The Jeep Brand is a founding member of Tread Lightly, an organization dedicated to educating recreational users about proper off-road use. In addition, the Jeep Brand supports the efforts of the United Four Wheel Drive Association that sponsors grass-roots environmental programs like trail clean-ups. They understand that those who enjoy the land must also take care of the land.

Tread Lightly Mission

Tread Lightly! is dedicated to increasing awareness on how to properly enjoy public and private lands. Tread Lightly! emphasizes responsible use of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and low-impact principles that apply to all outdoor recreational activities. Tread Lightly!, Inc. unites federal and state land management agencies with manufacturers, publishers, environmental and user groups, and individuals who share a basic commitment to care for our valuable natural resources. We achieve our goals in three ways: developing and distributing educational materials to teachers, youngsters, and outdoor recreationists; coordinating media coverage that helps get the Tread Lightly! message out to the public; and working with both industry and public service agencies to help promote advertising that demonstrates responsible use of SUVs and other forms of backcountry travel.

But Tread Lightly! can only accomplish this with your help!

Tread Lightly History

Tread Lightly! originated in 1985 when a task force was created by the U.S. Forest Service to look into the increase of visitors to public lands for recreational purposes. The group concluded that a long-term informative program was needed to increase public awareness and that special care of the land must be exercised by recreationists if opportunities were to continue. Accordingly, the Tread Lightly! program was developed. It's based on the same premise as the Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl programs, where Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl focus on fire and litter, respectively. Tread Lightly! emphasizes low-impact principles, applicable to all forms of recreational activities.

Soon after Tread Lightly!'s development by the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management adopted the program. Corporate America joined forces with the federal government's efforts by promoting Tread Lightly! like they had championed the "Don't Drink and Drive" and "Buckle Up" safety programs.

Given the popularity of the program, the federal government determined, in order to optimize the program's operational and promotional potential, it was logical to transfer the management of Tread Lightly! from the government to the private sector.

In October 1990, approximately 50 companies and organizations founded the nonprofit organization, Tread Lightly!, Inc. including the Jeep brand.

Tread Lightly T.R.E.A.D.

The main points of the Tread Lightly! program can be easily summarized and remembered.

• Travel only where motorized vehicles are permitted
• Never blaze your own trail
• Respect the rights of hikers, skiers, campers and others to enjoy their activities undisturbed
• Educate yourself by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, complying with signs and barriers, and asking owner's permission to cross private property
• Avoid streams, meadows, wildlife, etc. Stay off soft, wet roads
• Stay out of wilderness areas. Cross streams only at designated crossings
• Drive responsibly to protect the environment and preserve opportunities to enjoy my vehicle in your wild lands

Tread Lightly Off-Road Trip Preparation

Consider the following as you prepare for an enjoyable, safe trip:

• Prepare your provisions checklist: food, first aid, water, fuel, etc.
• Plan well in advance (30 days prior to a trip is not too early).
• Where are you going? (Get a travel map and determine which areas are open for OHV use.
• Check to see if there are any special rules or regulations for OHV use.) Find a destination point and mark it on the map.
•  Determine how you will get there.
•  How will the weather affect your destination during the season you travel?
• If roads are often wet and muddy or still snow-covered, should you consider another area to visit?
• How difficult are the roads and trails in the area you have chosen? What are the skill levels of each of your drivers?
• Are wildlife species in the area especially sensitive to OHVs? How can you avoid disturbing them? Should you choose another area
  Know state laws for operating an OHV.
• Do you need any special equipment or a license for the driver or vehicle?
• Do you need to be safety certified?
• Keep your vehicle well maintained and tuned. Excessive emissions, leaking fuel, and dripping oil are expensive problems. They also pollute the environment.
  

When you're out on the trail be sure to abide by the following rules and guidelines:

• Do not chase or intentionally disturb wildlife.
• Don't gun the engine -- save money, fuel and your vehicle.
• Be courteous to others! Remember many people are not fond of OHVs. Don't be a nuisance by creating excessive noise and dust. (Wildlife doesn't enjoy it either.)
• Many other people may also enjoy your special place. Don't ruin their experience.
• STAY ON THE ROADS AND TRAILS.
• Visual scarring can destroy scenery and habitat while starting an erosion problem. Don't shortcut switchbacks or create unnecessary trails. The ruts are still visible from the covered wagons of the 1800s.
• Pack it in. Pack it out. Don't leave any litter, including human waste.
• Respect private property and closed areas. Don't make a new trail to get around locked gates.
• Be courteous on the trail. Yield to horses, slow down for hikers, maintain a cheerful attitude.
• Today's degraded trail or road is tomorrow's "closed" area. Stay off wet roads and trails, wetlands and meadows.
• Wilderness areas are closed to all types of motorized and mechanized equipment.
• Don't run over young trees and shrubs.
• Be prepared for vehicle breakdowns. Travel with someone, pack emergency kits, let others know your travel routes in and out of the areas.
• Stick with your plan.
• Be safe, protect the environment, have fun the Tread Lightly! way.

Travel maps are available from land managers to explain which roads, areas and trails are open, closed or restricted seasonally or year-round. The following is a brief overview of the designations and the reasons for them.

Open Most of the Time

Main roads, unless wet and soft. Most of the damage done on backcountry roads and trails occur during the wet fall and spring seasons.

Unused logging and other high-clearance roads when dry. These roads, when designated open, offer challenges sought by off-highway vehicles (OHVs).

Trails outside wilderness. Some are open only to foot or horse traffic. Others are open to OHVs.

Closed Part-Time

Wildlife rearing areas. Specific areas may be closed in spring when disturbances can drive animals from important habitat.

Wet, soft trails or roads. Sometimes fall snowstorms and spring thaws will be the reason to close some routes to vehicles to prevent damage and costly repair. When roads and trails dry, they will be reopened.

Wildlife winter habitat. Late in the season, food is scarce. OHVs may disturb weakened animals, forcing them to use limited energy to escape the intruders. Snowmobiles may easily intrude into sensitive habitat. To protect a healthy herd of game, stay away from wildlife winter habitats. Winter habitats are usually found in foothills and lowlands below snow level where game seek easier travel and food.

Resource roads. Logging, mining and oil-drilling roads are often closed to the public where collisions could occur with heavy trucks. Some primitive roads, requiring high-clearance vehicles, may be open to OHVs. Refer to your travel map and current road status.

Closed Year-Round

Wilderness. Law forbids motorized or mechanized vehicles from entering wilderness. Foot or horseback travel affords a frontier experience.

Meadows, new forest, steep hillsides, streambanks and lakeshores. Sensitive land areas may be closed to protect delicate, fragile meadow plants and young trees, grasses and shrubs and to prevent soil erosion, scars and water pollution. These areas may be opened when snow is deep enough to allow for oversnow use.

Roads and trails no longer open for use. An area may be closed to the public to prevent disturbance and help endangered or threatened species. Vehicles may disturb these unique creatures and hinder their survival.