A few words about The Ontario Federation of 4WD Recreationists

In 1998, The Northern Lights 4x4 Trailriders Association was founded with the primary mandate of ensuring the sustainability of 4-wheel drive-based recreational activities in Ontario. Although we have since become Tthe Ontario Federation of 4WD Recreationists, this remains the primary focus of the association. However, our scope has extended beyond that to include a variety of other interests. These include promotion of four-wheel drive (4WD) related activities and tourism, education of appropriate 4WD usage, and cooperative trail use strategies to name a few.

The OF4WD is an incorporated non-profit organization who has used a multi-faceted approach in pursuit of these initiatives. We are comprised of a board of directors, a group of committee heads, a number of committee members and thousands of individual and club members. The association is set up as a provincial umbrella, under which reside a number of organized and incorporated local 4WD clubs who express their unified voice through the OF4WD. However, these clubs are free to maintain their autonomy and diversity while in support of a common voice. Our structure is analogous to that of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs as an example.

In any given year, the OF4WD represents a majority of 4WD enthusiasts in the province of Ontario through both our club and individual membership programs, or through programs which impact non-member 4WD enthusiasts. Due to the exclusive role the OF4WD fills within the province of Ontario for 4WD users we represent the interests of over fifty-thousand vehicle owners who will use their 4WD vehicles on public lands in Ontario this year alone. These recreationists will use their 4WD vehicles on the vast public trail systems to access remote regions, to experience the unique relief of Ontario, and as a necessary means to enjoy a variety of other outdoor activities. Much of our community uses their 4WD vehicles to access otherwise unaccesible remote locations, from which they will kayak, canoe, hike or mountain bike to some of the most attractive destinations in the province.

Since its inception,, the OF4WD has undertaken a number of initiatives which aim at protecting the resource our members enjoy in the public trail system. These include: trail clean-ups, trail development & restoration, trail maintenance, trail mapping & database projects, as well as trail signage and development of cooperative trail use strategies. Each of these initiatives contributes to the sustainability of our trail infrastructure and the ability to accommodate a significant growth in this activity.

The OF4WD has also organized a number of association-wide charity events and other projects aimed at educating the public to the nature of our sport and promoting it as a truly unique recreation activity. The OF4WD also provides its members with extended liability insurance for use when participating in Federation and Club related events and activities. These initiatives help foster cooperative efforts with other trail user groups and is aimed at building a sustainable trail system which supports many vaired uses. The OF4WD has been highly successful in gaining the respect and co-operation of peers and government officials in large part due to the success of these programs.

The 4WD community in Ontario continues to be a significant source of local business income; especially for rural communities. With the decreasing length of the snowmobile season, and its seasonal nature; 4WD-related activities prove to be a viable resource which supplements tourism-based economies all year round. The OF4WD is dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of a resource with massive tourism potential. Building a cooperative system, through which the growing number of 4WD-based trail users can continue to contribute to Ontario’s economy, is key to achieving our primary mandate and managing on of Ontario's greatest assets.

We hope you will join with us in supporting our efforts.