onX Grant Program Celebrates 150 Miles of Trails And 150,000 Acres of Improved Access
Surpassed Goal: 150 Miles And 150,000 Acres
A few years ago, we set the goal of preserving and restoring 150 miles of trails and 150,000 acres of improved access. We’re happy to say that with your help and support, we’ve done it!
Improved Access: By The Numbers
Where It All Began
Our origins are rooted in discovery, in seeking wild places on the map, and accurately navigating the patchwork of land ownership. Knowing where you stand is as important as knowing you’re allowed to stand there.
We began our grant program to help secure legal access and facilitate stewardship of areas being over-loved. Our grants are awarded to grassroots clubs, national nonprofits, and everything in between. We’re inspired by the dedicated humans who are working full-time and as volunteers to improve outdoor recreation in their communities.
We go deep with these partners to not only dole out some cash, but showcase their story, and often, the story of the place they’re working to preserve. These projects are in communities near you, in cities needing green space, and way out there in the backcountry.
On National Public Lands Day 2023, this community of off-roaders cleaned up over 10 square miles (6,400 acres) of national forest land. They hauled out everything from large piles of junk, windblown trash, and abandoned vehicles. In just a few years, PLS of Bend has removed over 350,000 pounds of trash from the Deschutes National Forest and educated four other communities to host clean-up events of their own.
Public Land Stewards of Bend
photo: Braxton K.
The Western Foothills Land Trust enlarged Twin Bridges Preserve by acquiring an adjacent 721-acre forest tract known as Edwards Mills. This will protect over 1,000 contiguous acres of working forestland, 4.5 miles of Crooked River shoreline and stream habitat, 275-acres of deer wintering area, and 84-acres of wetlands. Permanent protection of this land will preserve its ecological functions and scenic features, while ensuring future opportunities for public access.
Western Foothills Land Trust
photo: Andy Gagne
The Sego Trailhead, heavily used by backcountry horsemen, hunters, and anglers, was in need of restoration and improvements. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers teamed up with state trust lands, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife to install educational signage and infrastructure for parking, camping, hitching, and Leave No Trace Ethics.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
photo: Katie Stewart
A new trail system, the Driving Range, is being built out on 256-acres of mixed-use agricultural land that’s shared with a maple sugaring operation. Vermont has over 1,000 miles of mountain bike trails, but there is no trail network where an adaptive mountain biker can go without assistance. Richmond Mountain Trails is building the Driving Range to give adaptive riders a trail network where they belong and can experience the freedom of soaring down singletrack.
Richmond Mountain Trails
photo: Mark J. Clement
What do you care about most? We want to know.
We’ve built a framework of giving, one that honors our values, the land we recreate on, and the people in our community. Access and Stewardship means something to us, but we want to know what it means to you. What do you care about? Share a little about your values with the form below.
We’ll send a Protect Our Lands T-shirt to the first 100 survey participants. Additionally, everyone who participates will be entered into a grand prize giveaway.
Join Us on This Journey
In 2024, we’re committed to continuing our work to open recreational access, improve the access we have, and promote good ethos in everyone, so our lands are healthy and our recreational pursuits are top-notch. Stay in the know by following our Access Page for updates about our nonprofit partners, stories from the field, and how you may be able to get involved in upcoming projects.