Learning to Tread Lightly

Whether you’ve always wondered what “Tread Lightly!” actually means, or you could just use a quick refresher course, The Engine Block explains the organization, its basic principles, and how it can help you preserve off-road trails.

As off-roaders and outdoor enthusiasts, we know that the preservation and protection of our land stands above all else. Sure, we may leave a few tire tracks, but we all follow that golden rule that was engraved into our mind from our first school field trip—leave it like you found it.

So, it pains us to hear some circles claiming that us outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen shoulder a bulk of the blame for the erosion of popular trails, parks, waterways and campgrounds. Despite a large portion of conservation revenue coming from hunting/fishing licenses, the Pittman-Robertson Act, and the Dingell-Johnson Act, outdoor recreationists and sportsmen are unfairly judged as environmental nuisances by many.

While we can’t change every naysayer’s mind, that’s no reason to slack on our environmental duties. It’s still our job as outdoor lovers to not only follow that golden rule, but also set a good example for others who may not have learned it yet. (Or conveniently forgot it while performing “Hold my beer” antics…) Thankfully, one organization has emerged as a beacon of information, education, and outdoor morality to make that task easier.

Tread Lightly!

We only get one planet, and Tread Lightly!’s mission is to maintain the beauty of the outdoors for future generations of adventure seekers. With the recent barrage of legislation being threated that would directly affect off-roaders and 4×4 owners, the knowledge and education Tread Lighty! offers is more valuable than ever. Tread Lightly! seeks to balance the outdoor wants and needs of off-roaders, hunters, and boaters with the preservation of nature, wildlife, and waterways.

Whether you’re a hunter, sportsman, off-road enthusiast, or overall outdoor-lover, Tread Lightly! is the nation’s premier source for training and education on motorized and non-motorized outdoor ethics and conduct. Tread Lightly! shares this information in a variety of physical and digital material including courses, brochures, videos, and in-depth curriculum. The nonprofit even has kid-friendly instruction, led by a fun squirrel mascot named Lightfoot.

Did you know…?

Understanding that it’s never too early to get little ones started on the right path to enjoying and persevering nature, Tread Lightly! offers Adventure Preparedness Packs for kids. They include a drawstring backpack, safety whistle, rain poncho, flashlight, pencil, Lightfoot stickers and basic first-aid kit. Click here to pick up one for your little adventurer.

Get Involved

With an ever-expanding and updating catalog of fantastic information, Tread Lightly! depends on volunteers and memberships to continue and expand their great work. To see what volunteer events Tread Lightly! is sponsoring or participating in, be sure to follow their Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages for all the latest dates and locations.

Tread Lightly! individual and club memberships are also a great way to show support for outdoor preservation. Members include individuals, dealers, retailers, non-profits, Boy Scout troops, manufacturers, and more. Indeed, the group’s official partner list reads as a who’s who of the off-road industry. In addition to the warm and fuzzies you’ll feel from helping to protect and maintain outdoor recreation, Tread Lightly! memberships also give members some great perks and discounts from top brands and OEMs in the industry.

Speaking of perks… If you join or renew your Individual Membership before October 7, 2022, you can enter to win the Tread Lightly! Jeep Giveaway. What started as an everyday Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is now a custom-built 2-seat Jeep buggy, complete with one-ton axles, 42-inch sticky tires, a custom roll cage, and some of the best aftermarket parts the offroad industry has to offer. Give back to your trails and win big!

T.R.E.A.D. Principles

Tread Lightly! wouldn’t obtain the backing of industry giants, if their message wasn’t on point. While they have hundreds of pages and hours of material to elaborate, their message boils down to the T.R.E.A.D. principles.

Travel Responsibly on land by staying on designated roads, trails and area. Go over, not around, obstacles to avoid widening the trails. Cross streams only at designated fords. When possible, avoid wet, muddy trails. On water, stay on designated waterways and launch your watercraft in designated areas.

Respect the Rights of Others including private property owners, all recreational trail users, campers and others so they can enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Leave gates as you found them. Yield right of way to those passing you or going uphill. On water, respect anglers, swimmers, skiers, boaters, divers, and those on or near shore.

Educate Yourself prior to your trip by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies. Plan for your trip, take recreation skills classes, and know how to operate your equipment safely.

Avoid Sensitive Areas on land such as meadows, lake shores, wetlands, and streams. Always ride with caution any time water is present. Wet soils are more susceptible to damage. Riding along river and stream beds causes erosion and habitat destruction. Stay on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitats and sensitive soils from damage. Don’t disturb historical, archeological, or paleontological sites. On water, avoid operating your watercraft in shallow waters or near shorelines at high speeds.

Do Your Part by modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species and repairing degraded areas.

Air Down… With Up Down Air

One tactic us off-roaders can use to minimize the impact and footprint of our rig happens to be one that also makes it more capable: Airing down your tires

A lower psi tire will create more contact with the ground, thereby increasing traction. That added traction will also assist with less tire spin and in many cases, much less of a disturbance to the earth you’re trying to navigate over.

Letting out air is the easy part, but when you make it back to the pavement the important question becomes how to air back up. You can use an air compressor or head to the nearest service station, but there is an easier and more reliable way that more off-roaders are turning to.

Meet Up Down Air

Even though Up Down Air has only been on the scene for a few short years, the company is already completely shaking up the “air delivery business,” as founder Scott Poncher calls it.

The company’s 4-Tire Inflation System applications connect to a proprietary EGOI 2 compressor, popular on-board units from ARB and Viair, or to an external inlet or air pump.

From there, just connect the four provided whips to your tire valve stems, and run them to the hi-flow valves installed near each tire. Then, use the controller to select whether you’re inflating or deflating, flip a switch, and watch your tires air to your desired psi. Not just one tire at a time either—all four tires at once! You’ll be halfway home, while others are still gathering their tools or searching for a service station.

And with applications for Jeep, Ford, Toyota, ATVs, as well as a universal offering, Up Down Air has a model to fit your vehicle. With Up Down Air, conservation and capability are just a flip of a switch away.

Visit https://updownair.com to learn more about this innovative system. For purchasing info, head over to Up Down Air’s new parent company, https://overlandvehiclesystems.com.