This story shows what can be accomplished with a lot of organizational effort--



OFF-ROADER TEAM BEATS ALL OTHERS IN BEACH CLEANUP

OCEANO DUNES STATE VEHICLE RECREATION AREA, CALIFORNIA

Coastal Cleanup Day is day dedicated to trash removal on our beaches. Everyone is encouraged to participate, but this year off-roaders organized their own cleanup team with unbelievable results:

Off-roaders cleaning the beach at Oceano Dunes (an OHV recreation area) beat-out all other beach cleanups in the entire county! A total of 121 off-roaders and supporters picked up 630 lbs of trash, plus 130 lbs. of recyclables for a total of 760 lbs.

The next best locations were Montana de Oro beach, at 550 lbs., then Grover Beach with 265 lbs. (All other locations were staffed by the general public, which frequently includes many enviro-leaning types.)

A photo gallery is on-line here: http://yourdunes.org/gallery

Anti-OHV advocates who originally volunteered for cleanup at Oceano Dunes, backed out at the last minute when they realized off-roaders would be there in numbers--this really reveals that their true interest is not taking care of the beach, but to make a political statement. Off-roaders who already conduct many annual (but less visible) cleanups were their to clean, and brought their families and friends.

Participants were served a burrito and hot-dog lunch and enjoyed multiple raffle prizes including restaurant gift certificates, free OHV rentals, and free gas--thanks to sponsors which included clubs, businesses, and individuals.

Organizational efforts raised nearly $5,000 which also paid for T-shirts, a 1/2-page newspaper ad, and 21 minutes of radio advertising. This advertising was used to let the public know what off-roaders were doing, that off-roaders care, and to invite the public to participate. The money raised by off-roaders for their Oceano Dunes cleanup was nearly half of was raised by environmental organizers for the entire county.

Frequent press releases and phone calls garnered news coverage which increased public awareness. Local, state, and federal politicians were also contacted and made aware. A web site coordinated sign-ups and took donations: http://yourdunes.org/

The effort gained the attention at California's capital, Sacramento, where the Director of the OHV Division of California State Parks wrote: "I am delighted to hear the clean up was such a success! This is great news!"

Off-roaders, dunes supporters and their families appreciate our state vehicle recreation park. Of the many cleanups held annually by off-roaders at Oceano Dunes, Coastal Cleanup Day was a chance to demonstrate our concern and interest to the public. We are proud to have made such a large difference!

Contact welcome: http://yourdunes.org/contact

 

Excellent! All too often the press is only willing to cover the bad things that are done by the outlaws in the group. Accidents, trespassing, erosion, etc. It is so good to hear that ATVing got some good press and it was because your group worked hard until the press couldn't ignore your work anymore. Excellent!

 

Your organization must have some members who are public relations professionals. Good job!

Keeping the press informed about such positive activity is something ATV'ers everywhere should be doing. If you had someone in a Smokey Bear costume on an ATV pulling a trailer full of trash, that could have been a good photo op. TV stations often like to shoot footage showing their news people doing something at an event. Visuallize a high-profile info babe on an ATV waving at the cameras as she rides by.

 

So, you're saying something like this would be helpful?



Actually, I'm not a PR person, but I can mimic the game. I wrote the above press release hoping the local media would pick it up. I think the success of the whole event shows that off-roaders everywhere could do something similar. The lesson is to hold an event that is universally recognized as positive--trash pickup is a good one.

Kevin

 

Not exactly what I had in mind, but looks good.

 

You guys are GREAT. Been to PISMO alot. And the trash that PIGS leave behind is unbelievable. I hate to see their homes. PISMO is one of OHV,ers gifts and should be treated as such. Between the unresponsible riders and the trash that is left behind it could be gone soon. Please post when the next cleanup is and I will bring a group.