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The AZ OHV Ambassadors are dedicated to enhancing and conserving motorized recreation opportunities
in Arizona.
The Arizona OHV Ambassador Program works toward the following goals:
• Maintain motorized opportunities and access for the continued enjoyment of motorized routes
and areas on public lands.
• Promote a positive image of OHV recreation on all lands, and promote land stewardship.
• Strengthen cooperation between user groups and OHV management agencies, and allow for cross-jurisdictional partnerships.
• Promote responsible recreation use in Arizona by modeling appropriate OHV safety and behavior.
• Channel high levels of knowledge about responsible OHV use and agency policies to casual OHV users.
• Increase responsible recreation knowledge to reduce the need for law enforcement.
• Provide a recognizable presence on motorized routes and facilities used by the public.
• Assist land management agencies in monitoring the areas, roads, trails, and facilities used by the public.
• Participate in public outreach events and site improvements.
• Promote a positive image of OHV recreation on all lands, and promote land stewardship.
• Strengthen cooperation between user groups and OHV management agencies, and allow for cross-jurisdictional partnerships.
• Promote responsible recreation use in Arizona by modeling appropriate OHV safety and behavior.
• Channel high levels of knowledge about responsible OHV use and agency policies to casual OHV users.
• Increase responsible recreation knowledge to reduce the need for law enforcement.
• Provide a recognizable presence on motorized routes and facilities used by the public.
• Assist land management agencies in monitoring the areas, roads, trails, and facilities used by the public.
• Participate in public outreach events and site improvements.
Our History
On May 12, 2006 the Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG), a dedicated body of citizen volunteers
who assure public involvement in the implementation of Arizona’s OHV Program, forwarded a recommendation to the ASPB
to approve funding for the OHV Ambassador pilot program. September 21, 2006 the ASPB approved the fiscal year 2007 State
Off-Highway Vehicle Fund budget recommendation that included the development of a volunteer program to support the increased
need for on-site management presence and projects at OHV recreation sites. The program is intended to provide increased
time spent on public education and motorized routes/facilities by leveraging field personnel through utilization of volunteers
in a joint venture by state, federal, and other entities for managing OHV activities. Such activities provide benefit
to both land managers and the OHV recreation community at large.
The very first Arizona OHV Ambassador training was held September 2007. The second group of Ambassadors were trained March 2008. There are approximately 50 OHV Ambassadors today. The Ambassadors and agencies are working together to continually develop and improve the program over the next year.
The very first Arizona OHV Ambassador training was held September 2007. The second group of Ambassadors were trained March 2008. There are approximately 50 OHV Ambassadors today. The Ambassadors and agencies are working together to continually develop and improve the program over the next year.
What is an OHV Ambassador?
OHV Ambassadors are trained volunteers that help conserve OHV riding opportunities by working cooperatively
with Arizona land managers to:
• maintain motorized areas, roads, trails and facilities,
• provide a recognizable presence on public and state lands,
• model appropriate riding behavior, and
• provide educational and informative materials to the public.
These volunteers, in groups of two or more, patrol on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, or 4x4 vehicles to identify and record resource issues and illegal OHV user activities.
Ambassadors serve as a point of contact for other OHV users to obtain helpful and informative information about the trails they ride. Large, high profile public outreach events at popular staging areas and trailheads also provide the OHV Ambassadors opportunities to distribute useful OHV information that will help increase compliance with rules.
• maintain motorized areas, roads, trails and facilities,
• provide a recognizable presence on public and state lands,
• model appropriate riding behavior, and
• provide educational and informative materials to the public.
These volunteers, in groups of two or more, patrol on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, or 4x4 vehicles to identify and record resource issues and illegal OHV user activities.
Ambassadors serve as a point of contact for other OHV users to obtain helpful and informative information about the trails they ride. Large, high profile public outreach events at popular staging areas and trailheads also provide the OHV Ambassadors opportunities to distribute useful OHV information that will help increase compliance with rules.
OHV Ambassador Pilot Areas
OHV Ambassadors will be given the opportunity to select from three pilot areas for the pilot phase of
the program.
• Lake Pleasant Area - includes the Bradshaw Foothills area, the popular OHV Boulders site and Table Mesa road, west of the I-17 freeway.
• North Scottsdale Area - includes the Granite Mountain OHV area and southwestern portions of the Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District (Desert Vista).
• Florence Junction Area - includes the Desert Wells OHV site and the Middle Gila Canyons area.
• Lake Pleasant Area - includes the Bradshaw Foothills area, the popular OHV Boulders site and Table Mesa road, west of the I-17 freeway.
• North Scottsdale Area - includes the Granite Mountain OHV area and southwestern portions of the Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District (Desert Vista).
• Florence Junction Area - includes the Desert Wells OHV site and the Middle Gila Canyons area.
Ambassadors go through extensive training
Arizona State Parks, Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the USDA Forest
Service (USFS), Sheriffs, and dirtbike trainers and other entities provide training required for OHV Ambassador volunteers.
OHV Ambassador training is coordinated through Arizona State Parks. Additional training to gain other specific skills
are offered through the BLM and USFS. OHV Ambassadors are responsible for keeping their training certifications current.
• Program Overview
• First Aid/CPR
• Policy and Procedures
• Hazmat
• Bloodborn Pathogen
• Point of Contact/Survival
• Defensive Driving
• Communication
o Chain of command
o Check in/out procedures
o Radio use and protocol
o Reporting procedures
o Emergency procedures
o Visitor contacts
Some examples of continued training and education are listed below:
• Map/GPS skills
• Fire season regulations education
• Hunting season regulations education
• Travel management rule considerations
• OHV group presentations
• OHV spark arrestor and general maintenance checks
• Program Overview
• First Aid/CPR
• Policy and Procedures
• Hazmat
• Bloodborn Pathogen
• Point of Contact/Survival
• Defensive Driving
• Communication
o Chain of command
o Check in/out procedures
o Radio use and protocol
o Reporting procedures
o Emergency procedures
o Visitor contacts
Some examples of continued training and education are listed below:
• Map/GPS skills
• Fire season regulations education
• Hunting season regulations education
• Travel management rule considerations
• OHV group presentations
• OHV spark arrestor and general maintenance checks
