Polaris and NFF Restore Off-Road Trails in Minnesota and Florida

Projects make improvements to OHV riding trails in Minnesota's Chippewa National Forest and Florida's Apalachicola National Forest

News provided by

National Forest Foundation

Jun 06, 2017, 11:08 ET

MISSOULA, Mont., June 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is pleased to announce an expanded partnership with Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII). Through Polaris' $108,000 donation, the NFF will improve motorized-recreation opportunities on two existing off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails in Minnesota and Florida.

"Sustainable OHV trails provide millions of Americans the opportunity to enjoy their National Forests," said Mary Mitsos, NFF president. "We are proud to continue our partnership with Polaris to sustain some of the diverse recreational opportunities contained within the 193-million-acre National Forest System."

"A partnership with NFF is a great way for Polaris to improve the riding experience on shared public lands, while ensuring that ATV and OHV trails don't impact forest health," said Stacy Bogart, president of the Polaris Foundation.

In Minnesota's Chippewa National Forest, Polaris is supporting critical trail maintenance activities on the Soo Line North Trail. The popular Soo Line North Trail traverses 52 miles of the Minnesota northwoods and crosses portions of the Chippewa National Forest and Bowstring State Forest. Upgrades to the Soo Line North Trail will focus on brushing the trail right-of-way, re-grading the trail surface, and removing debris from impaired culverts. These activities will help ensure safe and accessible riding opportunities for OHV enthusiasts in north-central Minnesota, while also reducing trail-caused sedimentation from area streams. This marks the second year that Polaris has contributed to this project in its home state.

Polaris and the NFF also will improve the trailhead area of the Silver Lake OHV trailhead on Florida's Apalachicola National Forest. Polaris' support is part of a larger effort to better accommodate OHV users in the area. This project will rebuild the trailhead and transition zone, improve signage throughout the recreation area, and perform maintenance on trails leading from the trailhead. The new trailhead area will serve as a hub for the 55 miles of riding opportunity within the popular Silver Lake OHV area.

In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and local community organizations, the NFF will begin implementing these projects this year and continue through the 2018 field season.

This donation marks the fourth year the NFF and Polaris have partnered to improve OHV and multi-use trails on National Forests.

About Polaris

Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is a global powersports leader that has been fueling the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts for more than 60 years. With annual 2016 sales of $4.5 billion, Polaris' innovative, high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER^®, RZR^® and Polaris GENERAL^™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; the Sportsman^® and Polaris ACE^® all-terrain off-road vehicles; Indian Motorcycle^® midsize and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot^® moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK^®, INDY^®, Switchback^® and RUSH^® snowmobiles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories, along with a growing aftermarket portfolio, including Transamerican Auto Parts. Polaris' presence in adjacent markets globally include military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. Visit www.polaris.com for more information.

About the National Forest Foundation

The National Forest Foundation promotes the enhancement and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System. By directly engaging Americans and leveraging private and public funding, the NFF improves forest health and Americans' outdoor experiences. The NFF's programs inform millions of Americans about the importance of these treasured landscapes. Each year, the NFF restores fish and wildlife habitat, plants trees in areas affected by fires, insects and disease, improves recreational opportunities, and enables communities to steward their National Forests and Grasslands. Learn more at www.nationalforests.org.

SOURCE National Forest Foundation