CENTERVILLE, Uta. — Tread Lightly!, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation through education and stewardship programs today announced a new Youth Online Course and redesign of their mascot, Lightfoot.

The revamped Youth Online Course, funded by the Right Rider Access Fund and Federal Highways Administration, is designed to educate children ages 7+ about responsible outdoor ethics and how their actions now can affect the health and access of the outdoors in the future. It also introduces kids to Tread Lightly!’s youth T.R.E.A.D. pledge:

Travel on trails.
Respect animals, plants and people.
Educate yourself. Be safe and be prepared.
Always be careful with fire.
Do your part. Always treat the outdoors with care.

When the course is complete, kids can fill out a certificate to show their commitment to protecting outdoor spaces.

“Tread Lightly!'s work in early education is instrumental in helping to keep our trails safe and developing lifelong outdoor enthusiasts,” said Erik Pritchard, President and CEO of the Right Rider Access Fund. “We are proud to support this important work.”

Kids are taken through different outdoor scenarios by Tread Lightly!’s newly redesigned mascot, Lightfoot, a squirrel originally designed in 2002. Lightfoot is joined by two new friends, Claude the bear and Ranger Jane. The course is offered free of charge.

“We’re so excited to reintroduce Lightfoot with a more dynamic design that will appeal to a broader age range,” said Danielle Fowles-McNiven, Interim Executive Director of Tread Lightly! “We hope this new look portrays him as a squirrel who likes to get outside with his friends, Claude and Jane.”

To take the new Youth Online Course, visit treadlightly.org/learn.

About Tread Lightly!
Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible recreation through ethics education and stewardship programs. Tread Lightly!’s educational message, along with its unique training and restoration initiatives are strategically designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to maintain a healthy environment. Tread Lightly!’s award-winning materials, programs and services are solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing recreation issues. Individuals and businesses can commit to Tread Lightly! and protect outdoor access by becoming a member at www.treadlightly.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jerrica Archibald | Tread Lightly! | 801.627.0077 | jerrica@treadlightly.org