I'm raising money for Rally for Rangers (RFR) and I'd very much appreciate your support! Your donation will go towards protecting Mongolia's conservation areas from illegal activities such as mining, poaching, and unauthorized development. Thank you in advance for contributing to a cause that has become very near and dear to me over the years. This year's rally will be my third time as a volunteer rider with RFR and I'm incredibly excited to be able to return to Mongolia, a place that has become very special to me through my involvement with RFR.

 

 

First Off, What is Rally for Rangers?

Rally for Rangers (RFR) is a nonprofit whose mission is to protect the world’s special places one motorcycle at a time. Since its founding in 2014 by a park ranger, Rally for Rangers has delivered over 100 brand new offroad motorcycles to twelve parks in developing countries. Rally for Rangers provides park rangers with reliable offroad transportation so they can safely and effectively do their jobs.

 

Why Motorcycles?

Mongolia, a country that's more than twice the size of Texas, only has about 4,000 miles of paved roads so offroad vehicles like motorcycles are the best way to cover long distances across rugged terrain. Park rangers in Mongolia patrol a vast territory, thousands of acres per person, in remote areas and under extreme weather conditions. A developing country like Mongolia has limited resources, so rangers often do their work on horseback, on foot, or on older personal motorcycles that are prone to mechanical failure. Having a reliable source of transportation is gamechanging for these rangers.

 

How Does It Work?

In September of this year I, along with a dozen volunteers, will be purchasing and delivering Yamaha AG200 motorcycles to park rangers in Mongolia. We will fly into Ulaanbaatar and ride close to 1,000 miles through Eastern Mongolia to personally deliver the motorcycles to recipient rangers.

 

This year, we will be riding through Mongolia's Eastern Steppes which, at 10 times the size of the African Serengeti, is the largest remaining intact grassland in the world. Home to native wildlife (argali sheep, gazelles, snow leopards, saiga) and serving as a migratory route for millions of herd animals, Mongolia’s grasslands are critical to the nation’s future and way of life.

 

Part of what makes RFR so special is the one to one relationship you're able to build with the park ranger you're donating a motorcycle to. During my first rally, I was able to meet not just my ranger but his entire extended family, all of whom were amazed that someone would come so far to give him this gift. The international showing of support for what these rangers do day in and day out elevates their status in their respective communities and validates their incredibly important work.

 

 

How Will the Donation Be Used?

My fundraising goal is to raise $5,500 to cover the cost of the motorcycle. Any funds raised in excess of this will be donated directly to Rally for Rangers.

 

The total cost of the rally for each participant is $10,750, all of which goes directly to Rally for Rangers to cover the purchase of the motorcycle ($5,500) and for in-country logistics and support staff costs for the rally ($5,250). Donations will not be used to cover the costs of my personal travel (flights to/from Mongolia, travel insurance, miscellaneous expenses, etc.).

 

All donations to Rally for Rangers are tax-deductible through its financial partner, the Mongol Ecology Center (EIN: 45-5176897), a 501(c)3 non-governmental organization. Please reach out to me for a donation receipt if you'd like one!

 

This Sounds Way Cool. Can I Be a Rider?

Yes!!! Rally for Riders is always looking for adventurous and philanthropically minded riders to join us. Check out Rally for Rangers  and reach out to me to find out more.