Here at Car Stickers we care a lot about giving back to our community through our Nonprofit Programs . As a part of our commitment to giving back we decided to become a member of 1% for the Planet in 2021. This means that every year going forward we will be donating 1% of our sales to non-profit organizations that work towards creating a healthier and safer environment. As a part of this commitment, one of the non-profits we chose to partner with and donate to is Central Oregon Trail Alliance.
Central Oregon Trail Alliance is a 501c3 non-profit volunteer organization located in Bend, Oregon. They work with USFS, BLM and other land manager s to maintain and build trails in and throughout Central Oregon. Their mission is “to develop, protect, and enhance the Central Oregon mountain bike experience through trail stewardship, advocacy, collaboration, and education. There is an interesting history behind the trails here in Central Oregon. They were originally user-built old logging roads. These roads were built all on USFS or BLM public lands. Back in 1992-1994 mountain biking was new to these trails and as it grew a compromise had to be made - COTA founders agreed to not “proliferate any further user-built construction after full inventory” and land managers agreed to add the biking trails to their system which meant signage and “trailhead kiosks”. This was the beginning of the bike trail system in Bend.
In 1998 ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) proposed a surface rock extraction in the vicinity of Phil’s Trail. Extracting this rock would mean annihilation of the trail. COTA was able to gather 3000 signatures in opposition and stop ODOT from going through with this. Since then, COTA ha s become well known in Central Oregon and known for their efforts to build trails with
their volunteers and educate others on the ethic of “trail stewardship”. COTA has even been able to work with the National Forest to create and build The Wanoga Complex, a competitive event area that includes trails designed for heavier use . COTA has continued to follow their mission of trail stewardship through Prineville, Redmond and other parts of Central Oregon. They have been a vital part of the mountain biking community in Bend for 20 years now and we are happy to be able to partner with them going forward.
We have made monetary and in-kind donations with them so that they can continue to follow their mission and work with their volunteers on trail building projects. COTA has been using custom stickers to help spread awareness about their cause. They have also been using custom magnets to identify their trucks and equipment!
The community of Bend and Central Oregon revolves around outdoor activities. We know this because we are located in the heart of Bend. We love rafting down the Deschutes River, hiking through the woods, skiing down Mt. Bachelor in the winter and biking through the amazing trails that COTA has worked so hard to build and preserve. Being able to appreciate Mother Nature and get outside throughout the year is what makes this place so special. This is why we have decided to partner with COTA. We absolutely believe in their mission and are so happy to be able to help them thrive!
Learn more about COTA , their history, how to volunteer and their mission by heading to their website today!
