For those who don't snowmobile, questions are frequently raised about the environmental impact of the recreational sport. Snoman Inc. (Snowmobilers of Manitoba) is actively trying to change any negative perspectives and promote sustainable policies on the trails.
Starting last season, Snoman developed a new environmental policy. The organization is encouraging clubs and their members to become active players in environmentally sustainable practices, reducing the ecological footprint through initiatives such as recycling, new technologies and the reduction in paper usage, and raising awareness with snowmobilers and encouraging them to adopt responsible and respectful environmental behaviours.
Ken Lucko, the executive director of Snoman, said Snoman wants to ensure that the environment and the trails will be enjoyed for generations to come.
"We feel it's important to be responsible and be stewards of the outdoors," said Lucko. "We are outdoor people and we don't want to damage the environment or leave any garbage behind. We want to leave nature as it is for this generation and the ones to come."
Some simple tips to remember
Snoman encourages sledders to:
• maintain your snowmobile yearly to ensure its efficiency and reliability;
• refrain from replacing your manufacturer's exhaust system that has noise-reduction technologies with after-market systems;
• please respect wildlife and avoid ecologically sensitive areas;
• store your gas cans and fill your sleds in sites that will not impact any water sources;
• wipe up any spills you may have with a proper fuel soak pads (Snoman recommends all snowmobilers pack at least one soak pad); and
• promote good stewardship practices, obey the signs and support your local snowmobile club.
Snoman also reminds its members that non-snowmobilers have many misconceptions about snowmobiling and the environment. Often, these inaccurate impressions are fuelled by false or out-of-date information. To counteract these ideas, it is important for each snowmobiler to be armed with the facts and to spread the truth about snowmobiling at every opportunity.
When it comes to the machines themselves, Lucko said, technology has come a long way.
"Snowmobile manufacturers have spent a considerable amount of time and money to meet EPA standards in the U.S. and Canada," said Lucko. "The sleds of today are far more advanced and have all sorts of technology, including assisted power steering and engines that are far more efficient."
Lucko said Snoman has also taken pictures of trails in the winter and summer to prove there is no environmental impact from the machines since they are riding on frozen ground.
Getting the message out
To help get these important messages across, Snoman will be promoting the issues, along with their safety initiatives, on radio ads that will be aired across the province. Snoman will be going from 30-second ads to full-minute ads to get in as much content as they can.
Off the trail, Snoman is doing its part as well.
"Even with computers these days, it seems we are producing more paper waste," said Lucko. "We have made a strong commitment to reduce that waste in our office. We are also using our website in a way that clubs can go to the website to get what they need instead of us sending stuff out."
Lucko said even the membership lists have been updated on the website so clubs do not have to print them off; they can make their changes right on the site.
"It's an ongoing, evolving process," said Lucko. "It's very important that we promote responsible riding and activities so there's something left for the ones who follow afterwards."
