Special interest groups are waging an aggressive campaign to sell off public lands in the west (get the basics, then learn about Oregon legislation here). Recently, led by the Outdoor Industry Association, 173 outdoor industry CEOs signed an open letter urging President Trump and Congress to keep public lands public.
Please join in via an electronic petition and social media (suggested posts are provided at the end).
An Open Letter: Together We Can Defend Our Public Lands
To our elected officials and those who value America’s great outdoors:
This open letter expresses the view of more than 100 leaders of large and small businesses in the outdoor industry, which contributes more than $650 billion annually to the U.S. economy, generates $80 billion in tax revenue and employs more than 6 million people. Together, we represent a huge range of activities—from hiking to hunting and camping to conservation.
Our businesses make the lives of everyday Americans, from every corner of the political spectrum, healthier and happier. We do not often unite as an industry in the way we are today but we are compelled to make clear our collective view on a vitally important issue that affects the economic health of our industry, our local communities, and the lives of all Americans.
It is an American right to roam in our public lands. The people of the United States, today and tomorrow, share equally in the ownership of these majestic places. This powerful idea transcends party lines and sets our country apart from the rest of the world. That is why we strongly oppose any proposal, current or future, that devalues or compromises the integrity of our national public lands.
Yet as the 115th Congress begins, efforts are underway that threaten to undermine over one hundred years of public investment, stewardship and enjoyment of our national public lands. Stated simply, these efforts would be bad for the American people. They include the potential of national public lands being privatized or given to states who might sell them to the highest bidder. This would unravel courageous efforts by leaders from across the political spectrum up to the present day, including Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt.
This is not a red or blue issue. It is an issue that affects our shared freedoms. Public lands should remain in public hands.
We hold these views both as leaders of the outdoor industry — which creates significant economic value for this country — and as individuals who believe deeply that the next generation should be free to benefit from our national public lands as we and our families do today.
The undersigned companies are therefore working together to ensure that all Americans maintain their right to our iconic national public lands and that it is not taken away.
Outdoor Industry Association, Amy Roberts, Executive Director
Adventure 16. John D. Mead, President
Alpacka Raft, Thor Tingey, CEO / Founder
Alpine Shop, Ltd., Russell Hollenbeck, President
Appalachian Outfitters, Mike & Karen Leffler, Owners
Ascent Solar Technologies, Victor Lee, President & CEO
Backbone Media, Penn Newhard, Founder & Managing Partner
Backcountry, Jonathan Nielsen, CEO
Backcountry North, Tracy Mayer, Owner
Backwoods Retail, Inc., Jennifer Mull, Owner & CEO
Benchmade Knife Company, David Fee, Vice President
BioLite, Jonathan Cedar, Founder & CEO
Black Creek Outfitters, Joe & Liz Butler, Owners
Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., John Walbrecht, President
Braided River, Helen Cherullo, Executive Director
Brook Hopper Consulting, Brook Hopper, Founder & CEO
Brooks Running Company, Jim Weber, CEO
Burley Design, Allison Coughlin, President
Burton Snowboards, Donna Carpenter, CEO
Campmate, Chris Holt, CEO
Cascade Designs, David Burroughs, President
Cedar Ravine, Stephanie Carmi & Christine Stahr, Co-Founders
CGPR LLC, Chris Ann Goddard, President
Chaco, Seth Cobb, President
Champaign Surplus, Dan & Shira Epstein, Owners
Chimani, Inc., Kerry Gallivan, Founder & CEO
Clif Bar & Company, Kevin Cleary, CEO
Columbia Sportswear Company, Tim Boyle, President & CEO
Combat Flip Flops, Matthew Griffin, CEO
Concept III Textiles, Christopher Parkes, President
Confluence Watersports, Sue Rechner, President & CEO
Cotopaxi, Davis Smith, Founder/CEO
Dakine, Ken Meidell, CEO
Darn Tough Vermont, Ric Cabot, President & CEO
Denali, Chris Howe, Owner
Deuter, Bill Hartrampf, President
Diamond Brand Outdoors, Will Gay, Owner
DPS Skis, Stephan Drake, Owner
Eagle Creek, Roger Spatz, President
Eastside Sports, Chris Iversen & Todd Vogel, Co-Owners
eGrips, Chris Klinke, President
Elevenpine, Jeff Curran, CEO
Equinox Ltd., Robert Cross, President
Exxel Outdoors, LLC, Harry Kazazian, CEO
Far Bank Enterprises, Travis Campbell, President & CEO
Fayettechill, Andrew Gibbs-Dabney, CEO
Feral Mountain Co., Jimmy Funkhouser, Owner
First Lite, Kenton Carruth, Co-Founder and Owner
Fishpond, John Land Le Coq, Founder & CEO
Flowfold, James Morin, Owner & COO
Garmont, Bill Dodge, CEO
Goal Zero, William Harmon, General Manager
Good To-Go, David Koorits, Founder
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, Rich Hill, President
Great Outdoor Provision Co., Travis Zarins, Owner
GU Energy Labs, Brian Vaughan, Founder/CEO
Hipcamp, Alyssa Ravasio, Founder & CEO
HippyTree, Andrew Sarnecki, Founder/CEO
Hydro Flask, Scott Allan, General Manager
Ibex Outdoor Clothing, Ted Manning, CEO
IceMule Coolers, James Collie, Founder/CEO
Idaho Mountain Touring, Chris & Jill Haunold, Owners
IPA Connect, Andy Marker, President/Founder
JanSport, Steve Munn, President
Jax Mercantile Co., Jim Quinlan, President
Kammok, Haley Robison, CEO
Keen, Casey Sheahan, CEO
Klean Kanteen, Jim Osgood, President & CEO
Kokatat, Steve O’Meara, Founder/CEO
Kuhl, Kevin Boyle, President
La Sportiva N.A., Inc., Jonathan Lantz, President
Light Speed Outdoors, Brian Cox, CEO
L.L. Bean, Stephen Smith, President & CEO
Lucy, Laurie Etheridge, President
Manzanita Outdoor LLC, David Wheeler, Owner
Massey’s Outfitters, Mike Massey, President
Merrell, Inc., Jim Zwiers, President
MiiR, Bryan Papé, Founder & CEO
MONTANE, Jake Doxat, Managing Director
Mountain Hardwear, Dennis Randall, CMO
Mountain Khakis, Ross Saldarini, President
Mountain Safety Research (MSR), Chris Parkhurst, Vice President
Mountain Works, Inc., Jim Smith, President
MTI Adventurewear, Lili Colby, Owner
My Outdoor Alphabet, Seth Neilson, CEO
Native Eyewear, John Sanchez, General Manager
Nau International, Inc., Mark Galbraith, General Manager
Nemo, Cam Brensinger, CEO
New Balance, Rob DeMartini, President & CEO
Nikwax North America, Rick Meade, President
Oboz Footwear, John Connelly, CEO
Ortlieb USA, Jeff Scully, President
Ortovox, Bill Hartrampf, President
Oru Kayak, Roberto Gutierrez, Founder & CCO
Orvis, Perk Perkins, CEO
Osprey Packs, Layne Rigney, President
Outdoor Research, Dan Nordstrom, CEO
Outside Brands / Outside Hilton Head, Mike Overton, CEO
Pack & Paddle, John Williams, President
Pack Rat Outdoor Center, Scott & Carolyn Crook, Founders & Owners
Packtowl, Doug Jacot, Vice President
Pakayak, Doug Mackro, President & CEO
Pangaea Ltd./Feathered Friends, Peter Hickner, President
Patagonia, Rose Marcario, President & CEO
Peak Design, Peter Dering, Founder & CEO
Petzl America, Nazz Kurth, President
Piragis Northwoods Company, Steve Piragis, Owner
Pistil Designs, Todd Douglass, Forrest Jones & Pete Hixson, Founders
Platypus, Doug Jacot, Vice President
Point6, Peter Duke, CEO
Portland WoolenMills, Doug Hoschek & Tina Machuca, Owners
prAna Living, Scott Kerslake, CEO
Ramsey Outdoor, Stuart and Michael Levine, Owners
Redington, Travis Campbell, President & CEO
Red Lantern Journeys, Ambrose Bittner, Founder & Managing Director
REI Co-op, Jerry Stritzke, President & CEO
Rio, Travis Campbell, President & CEO
Rising Tide Associates, David Costello, Principal
River Sports Outfitters, Ed McAlister, Owner
Roads Rivers and Trails, Emily White, Co-Founder & Owner
Rock Creek Outfitters, Dawson Wheeler, Founder
Roots Rated, Fynn Glover, Founder/CEO
Royal Robbins, Michael Millenacker, CEO
Ruffwear, Patrick Kruse, R&D Director & Founder
Rutabaga Paddlesports, Darren Bush, Owner & CEO
rygr, Brian Holcombe, Principal
Sage, Travis Campbell, President & CEO
Salewa North America, Brian Mecham, General Manager
Sanitas Sales Group, Keith Reis, President
SCARPA North America, Kim Miller, CEO
SealLine, Doug Jacot, Vice President
Simms, K.C. Walsh, President & CEO
Skinny Skis, Phil Leeds & Scott O’Brien, Owners
Soar Communications, Chip Smith, President
Sorel, Mark Nenow, President
Stanley PMI, Kelly Kraus, Vice President, Stanley Brand
Stio, Stephen Sullivan, Founder/ CEO
Summit Hut, Dana Davis, President & Co-Owner
Sunday Afternoons, Inc., Sarah Sameh, CEO
Sunlight Sports, Wes Allen, Owner
Superfeet Worldwide, John Rauvola, CEO
Tahoe Mountain Sports, Dave Polivy, Co-Owner
Tenkara USA, Daniel Galhardo, Founder & CEO
Terra, PR, Alli Noland, Founder
The Base Camp, Scott Brown, Owner
The Mountaineer, Vinny McClelland, President
The North Face, Scott Baxter, Group President
The Outbound Collective, Brian Heifferon, Founder & CEO
The Trail Head, Todd Frank, Owner
The Toggery, Trek Stephens, President
Therm-a-Rest Brands, Doug Jacot, Vice President
Three Streams Productions, Eric Hardee, Owner
Timberland, Jim Pisani, President
Timbuk2, Patti Cazzato, CEO
Toad&Co, Gordon Seabury, CEO (& OIA board chair)
Topo Athletic, Tony Post, Founder & CEO
Trail Creek Outfitters, Ed Camelli & Brian Havertine, Owners
Trango, Chris Klinke, President
Travel Country, Mike Plante, Owner
Trek Light Gear, Seth Haber, Founder & CEO
22 Designs, Chris Valiante, Owner
Ute Mountaineer, Bob Wade & Maile Spung, Owners
Vans, Doug Palladini, President
Verde Brand Communications, Kristin Carpenter-Ogden, President and Founder
Vestigo, Marshall Mosher, CEO &Founder
VF Corporation, Steve Rendle, President & CEO
Weighmyrack, Allison Dennis, Founder & CEO
Western Spirit Cycling, Ashley Korenblat, CEO
What’s UP Public Relations, Beth L. Cochran, Founder/Owner
Wild Things, LLC, Edward M. Schmults, CEO
Wolverine Worldwide, Inc., Blake Krueger, CEO
Woolrich, Inc., Nick Brayton, President
Yakima Products, Ryan Martin, CEO
Zumiez, Inc., Tom Campion, Founder & Chairman
Please sign the petition and share on social media:
- #ProtectOurPublicLands for mountain biking. Please read and retweet http://oia.outdoorindustry.org/e/51282/2jRE8oO/84qxkq/438956657
- Mountain bike access is not a red or blue issue. Help #ProtectOurPublicLands by reading and retweeting http://oia.outdoorindustry.org/e/51282/2jRE8oO/84qxkq/438956657
- Don’t let Congress undermine MTB access within public lands. #ProtectOurPublicLands. Please read and retweet http://oia.outdoorindustry.org/e/51282/2jRE8oO/84qxkq/438956657
- Public lands should remain in public hands. Please read and act on this open letter now http://oia.outdoorindustry.org/e/51282/2jRE8oO/84qxkq/438956657