Polaris Gave Another $200,000 to Safeguard OHV Access. And Partnered With the National Forest Foundation

These are the public land stories I actually love to write. Not the doom and gloom or the "Call your senators and representatives right freakin' now!" ones.

I do those so we all know what's at stake if we don't act right this very instant, and there's a lot at stake at the moment. But rather, the stories about people and companies actually doing the hard work of stewardship and giving back to the communities that support them, those are the fun ones. 

Case in point: Polaris' most recent donations toward conservation, and its continued partnership with The National Forest Foundation. 

Not only that, but Polaris' Fund for Outdoor Recreation is now "fully endowed," meaning that the company has secured the funding it needs to help maintain, fund, and conserve outdoor recreation for the long term. And that, in a time when our public lands are being attacked six ways to Sunday, is great news that we all can celebrate.

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Corporate partnerships with both regular, everyday stewards, as well as organizations like The National Forest Foundation, are absolutely necessary tools in conservation. The same way that private owners need to connect and work with public land stewards. They bridge the gap between corporate and public interests, and show that corporations can, and should, be good stewards of our public lands, as their customers would be nowhere without them. 

But more than that, it's good for everyone. And this announcement, along with the $200,000 in grants for OHV recreation projects around the United States, showcases that necessary partnership. 

According to the release, "Today, Polaris, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation, announced the 2026 recipients of the Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation Grants," adding, "The announcement also marks a major milestone in the partnership—the Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation is now fully endowed, securing long-term support for outdoor recreation. This achievement provides ongoing, sustainable funding to advance off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation access, trail stewardship, responsible riding education, and conservation efforts across America’s National Forests and surrounding land."

Those grants include seven different projects, including a speed limit sign pilot project in the Coconino National Forest in Arizona, snowmobile donations to the U.S. Forest Service in the White River National Forest in Colorado, trail maintenance in the White River National Forest that aims to "improve safety and long-term sustainability for motorized and non-motorized users," trailhead improvements and maintenance along the Cadillac ORV trail in the Huron-Manistee National Forests in Michigan, a trail surface and drainage project in the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire, restoration and erosion control work after Hurricane Helene hit the Nantahala National Forest in Tennessee, and the relocation of a portion of the Sucker Pond Trail in the Green Mountain National Forest of Vermont.

All in all, a lot of great work for what seems like not a lot of money. Imagine what we could do if Congress ever started listening to its constituents and funding the Department of the Interior, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management, and not trying to sell it all off?

"Polaris has been a steadfast champion of our National Forests," says Dieter Fenkart Froeschl, President and CEO of the National Forest Foundation, adding, "By creating a source of lasting annual support, Polaris empowers us to strengthen recreation opportunities and uplift the communities who find adventure and connection in these treasured places."

Here, here.

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