GARTRA had another great year in 2024. We were able to utilize the Yamaha grant fully and close that out. Now our trail captains have new gear and enough gear to support the larger numbers of volunteers coming to the workdays. We were finally able to re-open Locust Stake. Had huge turnouts at Locust Stake for some workdays to get the place re-opened and now its officially open again. There will be a much larger re-opening celebration at Locust Stake in the spring when all the OHVs re-open for the season.
A major highlight for GARTRA in 2024 was the number of volunteers we had at the workdays contributing to the larger total number of hours for the year. GARTRA’s yearly totals in past years have been 1004.5 hours in 2020, 1545 hours in 2021, 1738 hours in 2022, 2009.5 hours in 2023. Now for 2024 GARTRA has contributed 2815.1 volunteer hours to our OHVs in Georgia.
This year we had a record number of GARTRA volunteers reaching their +20-hour Trail Ambassador status. Earning them a ride jersey and their free parking pass from the USFS. In 2020 we had 16 members with +20-hours. In 2021 that number increased to 17, in 2022 we grew that to 24 and in 2023 it grew to 29 members. In 2024 now we have had 45 members who have gotten +20 hours. These dedicated rockstar volunteers who achieved their +20 hour Trail Ambassador Status are below. If you run into them on the trail, be sure to recognize them and shake their hand. These are the folks doing the work and getting it done to keep our OHVs open for everyone.
GARTRA Trail Ambassadors
Below is the list of volunteers who worked 20+ hours in 2024 and will receive their free parking passes and Trail Ambassador status for 2025. If you see them out and about give them a nod, shake their hand, or just say thanks to let them know you appreciate their efforts.
| Name | Hours Worked in 2024 |
| Bob Connett | 124 |
| Mike Weaver | 97.5 |
| Logan Bashford | 94 |
| Jeff Nixon | 88.5 |
| Chris Fowler | 86.5 |
| Emery Victor | 78 |
| Phillip Belcher | 66 |
| Scott Abernathy | 64 |
| Colt Abernathy | 63 |
| Mary Abernathy | 63 |
| Larry Odom | 61.4 |
| Tim Chambers | 57 |
| Shannon Wood | 53.5 |
| Ryan Morgan | 51 |
| James Washer | 48 |
| Terry Purdy | 44 |
| James Rouhani | 41.5 |
| Nathan Washer | 38 |
| Frank Spencer | 34 |
| Steve Lamb | 33.5 |
| Mike Roberts | 31.5 |
| Bobby Lee | 31 |
| Dan Newton | 29 |
| Matt Adams | 29 |
| Mike Pealer | 29 |
| Blake Henry | 28 |
| Bruce Dreher | 27.4 |
| Greg Lieberman | 27 |
| Bre Bashford | 26 |
| Pete Thorpe | 25 |
| Jason DeVore | 24 |
| Hannah Shilling | 24 |
| Chris Klements | 24 |
| Paul Parker | 24 |
| Lawrence Greenwood | 24 |
| Kenny Moultrie | 24 |
| Eric Frey | 23 |
| Chanel Rivera | 23 |
| Rick Matheny | 23 |
| Drake Adams | 23 |
| John Medicus | 21.5 |
| Robert Halliburton | 21.5 |
| Alex Manfre | 21 |
| Kent Brady | 20 |
| Bill Shilling | 124 |