A New Year, A Lot of Miles Ahead

A New Year, A Lot of Miles Ahead

Many of you will get to know me from the trail, events, or the occasional meeting, but I wanted to take a moment to properly introduce myself and talk about where we’re headed together this year.

My name is Mike LaMar, and I have the privilege of serving as the Executive Director of the Utah Public Lands Alliance (UPLA). I’m a husband, father, long-time off-road enthusiast, retired Marine, and someone who believes deeply that access to our public lands only survives if the people who use them stay involved in protecting them.

Like most of you, my connection to off-roading didn’t start with policy, it started with experience. Early mornings, late nights, fixing things in the dirt, helping strangers, and realizing the off-road community is one of the most self-reliant and generous groups out there. Over time I also saw something else: access isn’t guaranteed. Trails don’t disappear all at once… they disappear one decision at a time, usually because we weren’t in the room when it mattered.

That’s what UPLA exists to change

What I’m Doing This Year

This year my priority is simple: getting out of the office and into the state.

UPLA works best when we’re physically present — with clubs, land managers, dealers, vendors, and riders. Relationships solve problems long before regulations do. So my focus for the coming year is boots-on-the-ground engagement across Utah.

You’ll see me at:

  • Club meetings and trail rides
  • Dealer and vendor visits
  • Land manager coordination meetings
  • Events around the state

Not just to talk, but to listen. Every area has different challenges. Moab is not the Wasatch Front. Southern Utah is not the Uintas. Statewide advocacy only works when we actually understand local realities.

What I’ve Learned So Far

From the visits I’ve already made, a few themes keep showing up:

  • Gaps in communication create conflict.
  • Most closures and restrictions don’t begin with hostility; they begin with assumptions. When landowners, managers, riders, and organizations talk early, outcomes improve dramatically for all parties involved.
  • Clubs are the backbone of access.
  • Through volunteerism, education, and trail stewardship — clubs quietly do more than almost anyone realizes. Supporting clubs means protecting trails.
  • Our Industry wants to help.
  • Dealers and manufacturers understand their future depends on sustainable recreation. They just need structured ways to participate.

One of UPLA’s roles is to connect those three groups before problems become policies.

Partnerships That Help Everyone

We’re expanding programs that benefit riders while supporting access.

Trail Hero — 10 for 10- Participants receive 10% off their trail registration, and Trail Hero contributes $10 to the Utah Public Lands Alliance. It’s a simple way to support stewardship while you’re already out enjoying the event. Just Use the Promo Code UPLA10 to take advantage of your discount and get a donation to UPLA. Registration Opens May 1 at …TheTrailHero.com

Rock Slide Engineering Partnership- When you use code UPLA10 at RockSlideEngineering.com you’ll receive 10% off your order. Rock Slide Engineering will also then donate 10% of their net profits from those sales back to UPLA annually.

If your company would like to enter into a partnership agreement with UPLA to gain customers and support keeping our roads open, please email Loren Campbell.

 

Moving Forward Together

UPLA is the voice of OHV user across the state of Utah. But a voice only matters if it represents real people.

  • That means showing up, working together, and making sure decision-makers hear from the people who actually use the land.
  • If I’m in your area, I’d like to meet your club.
  • If you’re hosting an event, invite me.
  • If there’s a problem brewing locally, let us know early.

The future of access won’t be decided in one big moment.

It will be decided in hundreds of small conversations all around our state.

Let’s make sure we’re part of them.

 

Mike LaMar
Executive Director
Utah Public Lands Alliance
mike@utahpla.com