By Bryan Passifiume
Reporter, Crowsnest Pass Promoter
Friday June 22, 2007

On any given summer weekend, the sound of ATVs can be heard from any number of trails around the Pass. To some, it’s an annoyance and destroys the land. However, to the Quad Squad, it’s the sound of economic development that all levels of government should embrace.

The Quad Squad is an Alberta-wide ATV advocacy and enthusiast volunteer organization dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of the hobby and industry, both in the eyes of the public and on the face of mother earth. Trail maintenance and public relations are only part of what they do. A large part of time and resources go towards education and advocacy not only to local levels of government, but to provincial and federal legislatures as well.

"You can’t change a 40 year old’s attitude," says Glen French, president of the Quad Squad. This is why they are targeting schoolchildren in their program – to help develop good habits and attitudes towards Off-Highway Vehicle use.

Their education program, since its inception, has educated thousands of youth in 43 schools across Alberta. They hope that teaching proper use of ATVs and instilling good safety and environmental stewardship habits will create a new generation of conscientious and respectful ATV users – ones that are concerned with conservation and respect the environment.

While the vast majority of ATV users are responsible, there is a certain segment that don’t respect the laws or the land that they use. French references the infamous incident at Indian Graves as proof that something needs to be done. The Quad Squad has taken on this role, and is working with local government and riders to ensure that they leave the trails better than they found them.

Once such initiative the Quad Squad has taken on, this time in a more literal sense, is bridge building.

Traditionally, creeks and streams posed little obstacle to ATVs. While they hold no hazard to the rider or the vehicle, the damage done to the waterway and the surrounding area is considerable and long lasting. The Quad Squad, since 2000, has funded and constructed bridges over waterways, and are educating riders of the dangers of disturbing vulnerable riverbanks and creek beds.

"Bridges are the only way to cross creeks," said French. "Putting in a bridge means that we are being proactive and not reactive to future damage."

Dennis Beasley, vice president of the Quad Squad, showed some of the bridge building projects in the area. Their latest project, a 50-foot bridge crossing the York Creek south of the staging area near Coleman, is an example of some of the hard work put in by the Squad and its volunteers.

The structure, a steel and wood span crossing a vibrant brook, represents the work and time put in by the group. Members of the club and ATV enthusiasts volunteer a great amount of man-hours, materials and know-how to the bridge projects. Other stewardship projects include trail signage, campsite maintenance, trail maintenance and clean-up, as well as petitioning government for more funding and enforcement.

The efforts of the Quad Squad haven’t gone unnoticed throughout the community. The Quad Squad was specifically mentioned on the floor of the Alberta legislature as an example of responsible off-highway vehicle operators, and was praised for their stewardship efforts.

The Quad Squad was also praised by council for their recent clean up of the trails around McGillivray Creek. Council also passed a motion to pay the $432 tipping fee the group was stuck with by the local landfill after the clean up.

French feels that change is needed to ensure future sustainability of ATVing in the province.

"It needs to change from a volunteer, to an industry-managed system," remarked French. "ATVing is a billion dollar industry, and it shouldn’t be based on the ingenuity and contributions of volunteers to maintain that industry."

French feels that paid patrols, paid maintenance and paid enforcement is the key to having an effective ATV industry in this province.

"The ATV industry in Alberta alone had more economic benefit than the entire downhill skiing industry," added French "It’s an economic opportunity, it’s a lifestyle opportunity. If managed correctly, it can be a great benefit to Albertans for years to come."

For more information on the Quad Squad, including membership and volunteer opportunities, visit their website at www.quadsquad.ca

Great article. We dont hear enough of the positive things we do.

Excellent writeup!

very impressed

It is nice to see some positive press for those who enjoy the outdoors. ATVers in particular. I've been wondering though...does the Quad Squad have anything that identifies them as members of the group when out cleaning up trails, building bridges or just riding responsibly? It would seem to me that people need something visible to link the club to the deeds. I'm not a member, but just going by what I've seen and read. Vests identifying club members or signage at the sites? You gotta make your own press.

Agree, important to get full credit for that kind of work. CNP Club is pretty visible for organized events.

Bridge crews have bright orange shirts.


The club has a 30 ft enclosed trailer for tools and materials that says "CNP Quad Squad" down the sides in large letters. We have large lime green garbage bags that say "CNP Quad Squad, Pack it in, Pack it out".

When we have a BBQ with a clean-up event we usually put up the banner that says "CNP Quad Squad, Building bridges instead of fences", we use the same banner on our parade float during Rum-Runner Days (Thunder in the Valley).