Access to public lands depends on more than trails and roads—it depends on education, stewardship, and a community willing to invest in their future. In May 2026, with the support of a $5,697 Overland Expo Foundation Grant, Tread Lightly! and local organizations volunteered their time to improve visitor education and stewardship along one of Arizona’s most popular off-highway vehicle routes.
Located near the iconic “Edge of the World” overlook, the project focused on installing a new educational kiosk and cleaning up heavily used recreation areas to help ensure visitors have the information and resources needed to recreate responsibly.
Building Better Access Through Education
On May 16, 2026, twenty volunteers gathered at the intersection of Forest Roads 535 and 89A to install a new two-panel educational kiosk and accompanying trail signage. The kiosk provides visitors with updated maps of legal routes, responsible recreation messaging, outdoor ethics information, and educational resources designed to encourage sustainable use of public lands.
This installation complements a previous kiosk funded through the Overland Expo Foundation in 2024, creating a consistent educational experience for visitors traveling the full route to Edge of the World. Together, these kiosks provide important guidance for thousands of recreationists who visit the area each year.
By ensuring accurate information is available at key trail access points, the project helps reduce resource damage, improve visitor experiences, and promote responsible OHV recreation throughout the Coconino National Forest.
Stewardship Beyond the Kiosk
The day’s impact extended well beyond the kiosk installation.
Volunteers spent the remainder of the project cleaning nearly six miles of trails and surrounding forest areas, removing approximately 500 pounds of garbage from this heavily visited recreation corridor.
These efforts helped restore the natural beauty of the area while demonstrating the important role volunteers play in protecting access to public lands. Every bag of trash removed represents a stronger partnership between recreationists and land managers—and a healthier landscape for future visitors.
Powered by Partnership
Projects like this are only possible through collaboration. The Overland Expo Foundation is proud to support stewardship initiatives that bring together nonprofits, businesses, volunteers, and land managers to protect the places we all enjoy.
Special thanks to the partners who helped make this project possible:
- Tread Lightly!
- Trails Offroad
- Thret Offroad
- San Tan Ford
- Tonto Recreation Alliance
- Coconino National Forest
Together, these organizations are helping create a culture of stewardship that extends far beyond a single project day.
How You Can Get Involved
Tread Lightly! leads stewardship projects across the country that protect access and promote responsible recreation for all outdoor enthusiasts.
To learn more about their mission or volunteer at an upcoming event, visit treadlightly.org.
Become a member of the Overland Expo Foundation to help fund similar on-the-ground projects. Visit our News & Projects page to learn more about past projects.
By investing in people and places, the Overland Expo Foundation is proud to support programs that use adventure as a pathway to lasting impact—on the trail, in communities, and in the lives of those who serve.