Issue No. 67: NFWF's $141.3 Million Boost to Conservation💰

Hey, Outsiders!  It’s not everyday that the government commits over $140M to conservation but we are in luck because today is that day. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced a staggering $141.3 million commitment to conservation and we dive into the details below.

Also in today’s issue:

• Outdoor Retailer Winter Show Kicks Off this week, Vans settles its trademark lawsuit with Walmart 🔨

• A new island has formed in the Pacific, thanks to an underwater volcano 🌋

• Marriot Bonvoy celebrates Latino Outdoors Founder Jose Gonzalaz 🎥

• EDA looks to transform a former coal and timber community in Kentucky ⛏

• Adventure travel in Asia is booming, Reader Choice America’s Top Ski Resorts ⛷

• Wired dives into the risk of skiing…

…and a whole lot more.

Let’s go! 🤙

— Scott Crowder

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Conservation Funding
🌿 NFWF's $141.3 Million Boost to Conservation: The America the Beautiful Challenge

In a game-changing move for conservation efforts in the United States, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has just announced an astounding $141.3 million in grant funding. This allocation is part of the America the Beautiful Challenge, a program with the ambitious goal of supercharging conservation and restoring the nation's natural beauty. Let's dive into the impact and significance of this massive investment in safeguarding our environment.

💰 A Monumental Commitment to Conservation: The America the Beautiful Challenge, initiated by the Biden-Harris administration, represents a pivotal step in addressing the pressing environmental challenges of our time. It focuses on conserving and restoring the nation's lands, waters, and wildlife, safeguarding biodiversity, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

💡 The $141.3 Million Game Changer: The $141.3 million in grants from NFWF is a testament to the government's commitment to addressing these issues head-on. This funding will support a wide range of conservation projects across the country, benefiting communities and ecosystems alike. It includes funding for projects that enhance habitat connectivity, restore coastal and inland waters, and conserve vital landscapes.

🤝 Building Partnerships for Success: One of the most remarkable aspects of this initiative is its potential to forge partnerships between federal agencies, state and local governments, tribal nations, and non-profit organizations. The collaborative nature of the America the Beautiful Challenge is key to its success, ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives contribute to conservation solutions.

🌎 A Comprehensive Approach to Conservation: The America the Beautiful Challenge underscores the significance of public and private sectors coming together to address environmental challenges comprehensively. It recognizes the urgent need to protect and restore the nation's natural heritage for future generations.

✨ A Powerful Message of Dedication: The $141.3 million in grant funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation marks a watershed moment in American conservation efforts. Through the America the Beautiful Challenge, it sends a powerful message that the nation is dedicated to preserving its natural beauty and environmental health, uniting diverse stakeholders, and ensuring a sustainable future for all.

Business, Industry, & Economy:

🍻 Athletic Brewing Company's Generous Two For The Trails Donation: Learn about Athletic Brewing Company's substantial $1.6 million donation in 2023 to support the preservation of outdoor spaces. This contribution aids the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and the National Trails grant program.

📜 The Future of Responsible Companies: Forbes examines whether the future of responsible companies relies on the concept of a "purpose trust." This explores the idea of using trusts to ensure a company's commitment to a broader societal purpose while protecting stakeholders' interests.

👟 Walmart Settles Trademark Lawsuit With Vans: Walmart has reached a settlement in a trademark lawsuit regarding alleged copycat shoes resembling Vans. This resolution comes after Vans accused Walmart of producing shoes that closely resembled its own iconic designs.

🏔️ Outdoor Retailer Winter Show Begins in Salt Lake City: Get the scoop on the start of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Show in Salt Lake City. Discover what this event has in store for outdoor enthusiasts and industry professionals, featuring the latest gear, trends, and innovations.

🏡 Innovative Housing Program: Discover how Aspen Ski Co and a creative program is addressing housing challenges by providing benefits to both landlords and employees. This initiative aims to help employees establish roots in their communities while offering incentives to property owners.

🌊 SURFSCAPE 2024 - The Ultimate Beachfront Expo: Dive into the details of SURFSCAPE 2024, an exciting consumer expo presented by SIMA. Explore what this beachfront event has in store for surf enthusiasts and the industry.

⭐️ Patagonia's Responsible Business Lessons: Discover three valuable lessons on responsible business practices inspired by Patagonia. Explore how their commitment to sustainability, employee engagement, and social responsibility can serve as a model for other businesses striving to make a positive impact.

🏆 Michael Happe Named Entrepreneur of the Year: Winnebago's CEO, Michael Happe, receives recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year. Learn about his achievements and the factors contributing to his success in the RV industry.

⚖️ Legal Battle Over Unpaid Wages at Vail Resorts: Dive into the ongoing legal dispute involving Vail Resorts and its workers seeking unpaid wages. Get insights into the case and the request for a rehearing following a U.S. court's decision not to intervene in a similar state court matter.

SPONSORED BY PATAGONIA

🌲 Patagonia Stands Up for Alaska Public Lands 🏔️

Patagonia is on a mission to protect the places we love. Right now, they're rallying support for the Alaska Public Lands, specifically the 23-million-acre Reserve in Alaska's Western Arctic. This incredible expanse of land is not only the largest tract of U.S. public land but also a vital home to hundreds of species and Indigenous communities with millennia of history.

🌍 Take Action for Climate and Conservation: Climate change is rapidly altering the Arctic, endangering both the environment and the Indigenous cultures that rely on it. Without strong climate policies, new drilling in the Reserve could exacerbate these issues and lead to decades of fossil fuel production.

📢 Your Voice Matters: Patagonia believes in the power of collective action. That's why they're calling on you to join them in supporting President Biden's proposal to expand protections for the Reserve. You can make a difference by submitting a comment by November 17th and showing your commitment to the future of our planet.

Ready to take a stand for Alaska Public Lands and the environment? Join Patagonia in the fight for climate and conservation.

Visit Patagonia.com to learn more and be part of the change.

Sustainability, Conservation, & Environment:

🌍 Infrastructure for People and Planet: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) introduces a new guide designed to facilitate the creation of infrastructure projects that not only serve human needs but also benefit the environment. Learn how this guide can help ensure that infrastructure development aligns with sustainability, fostering a harmonious relationship between people and the planet.

🌳 Year-End Appeal for Conservation: The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is launching its 2023 Year-End Appeal, calling on all nature enthusiasts and conservation champions to support their efforts in preserving and protecting valuable lands across the United States. Your contribution can make a significant impact on TPL's mission to ensure that everyone has access to the outdoors and that natural spaces are conserved for generations to come.

🌍 Tackling Plastic Pollution and Oil Industry Influence: NPR outlines how the fight against plastic pollution faces resistance from influential oil and gas giants like ExxonMobil and Chevron, as well as major oil-producing nations such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China. These entities advocate for addressing plastic pollution primarily through recycling and waste management, rather than reducing new plastic production significantly. Explore the complexities of this global challenge and the role of powerful industry players in shaping the conversation.

🌾 Regenerative Farming in Red America: Fast Company discover why regenerative farming practices are gaining traction in conservative-leaning areas of the United States. Explore how this sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to agriculture is finding common ground across political divides and benefiting both farmers and the planet.

🏝️ New Island Emerges: Nature continues to surprise us as a new island emerges in the Pacific Ocean, marking a fascinating geological event. Find out where this mysterious island has appeared and how it's captivating scientists and explorers.

❄️ El Niño Intensifies: El Niño, the climate phenomenon, is intensifying, and its implications for the upcoming winter in the United States are being closely watched. Discover how El Niño might influence weather patterns, temperatures, and precipitation during the winter months, and what it means for different regions across the country.

🌊 Protecting the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: A significant milestone has been reached in the conservation of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with over 9.1 million acres now under protection. Discover the efforts and initiatives that have led to this achievement, as well as the importance of safeguarding this vital ecosystem for the benefit of both nature and communities.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

🎙️ Exploring Inclusivity in the Outdoors: In this emotionally resonant episode of 'People, Nature, Big Ideas' on Spotify, Alysa Morley joins the discussion. Alysa's unique journey and its alignment with the Trust for Public Land's (TPL) mission highlight the importance of access and representation in the great outdoors. As a member of TPL's marketing team and someone living with a disability, Alysa has experienced the challenges of exclusion from outdoor activities, and she sheds light on the transformative power of inclusive initiatives.

🌐 Eric Larsen BIPOC Polar Scholarship: GearJunkie reports on the Eric Larsen BIPOC Polar Scholarship, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at increasing diversity in polar exploration. This scholarship, named after renowned polar explorer Eric Larsen, is dedicated to breaking down barriers and promoting inclusion in the world of polar adventure for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)

🌲 Building a Community: Marriot Bonvoy showcases José Gonzalez, the founder of Latino Outdoors, and shares his inspiring journey from Mexico to the United States. He discusses how this journey led him to create a community that connects Latinos with nature and each other through outdoor adventures. Gonzalez emphasizes that one doesn't need to travel far to appreciate the world's magic, recounting his transformative experience encountering California Redwoods, which he considers as ancestral elders conveying the message that everyone belongs.

Government, Grants, & Policy:

📈 The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) latest statistics: Join the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable's webinar on November 17, where they will unveil the latest economic impact report, providing insights into the industry's remarkable growth and its crucial role in supporting economic development.

🌲 Wilderness Conservation's Future - Recreation-Driven: Embracing recreation as a potent force, this op-ed by Former Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colorado) highlights how engaging people in outdoor activities can nurture stewardship and champion wilderness conservation. It underscores the role of the outdoor economy in fueling conservation efforts, forging a harmonious coexistence of nature and humanity.

💰 $6 Billion Investment in Climate Resilience: The White House has released the Fifth National Climate Assessment, showing that despite a 12% drop in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions between 2005 and 2019, extreme weather events fueled by climate change are escalating. In response to the report, the Biden administration pledges over $6 billion for climate resilience programs, focusing on reducing flood risk, fortifying the electric grid, and addressing environmental justice needs.

🏞️ Chattahoochee River Public Access in Atlanta: Atlanta is creating its first Chattahoochee River public access point, providing residents and visitors with opportunities for outdoor recreation and enjoying the scenic beauty of the river. Explore this exciting project that enhances urban life.

🏗️ Revitalizing Former Kentucky Coal & Timber Community: Learn about the transformation of a former coal and timber community in Kentucky, as the Economic Development Administration (EDA) invests in infrastructure and economic diversification. Discover how communities can adapt and thrive in changing industries.

Travel, Tourism, & Hospitality:

🏜️ AutoCamp's Field Station Joshua Tree - Spring 2024 Opening: AutoCamp Hospitality Group is gearing up for the launch of Field Station Joshua Tree in spring 2024. This unique outdoor destination promises unforgettable experiences amidst the desert landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park.

🎿 America's Best Ski Resorts - Readers' Choice Awards: Check out the top ski resorts in America as voted by travelers. From the snowy peaks of Colorado to the slopes of Vermont, these destinations offer some of the finest skiing and snowboarding experiences.

🏞️ Exploring Alaska's Public-Use Cabins and Huts: Discover the charm of Alaska's wilderness through public-use cabins and huts. This Alaskan adventure takes you off the beaten path and into the heart of the Last Frontier, providing unique opportunities for outdoor exploration and immersion in nature.

🌿 Sustainable Travel in Slovenia: Slovenia is emerging as a top eco-friendly destination. With Ljubljana leading the way in sustainable practices, this European country offers travelers a chance to explore pristine nature, vibrant cities, and environmentally-conscious experiences.

🌏 Adventure Travel's Growing Market in Asia: Adventure travel is booming in Asia, as more travelers seek immersive experiences. CNN explores how the Asian adventure travel marketplace is evolving and becoming a hub for thrill-seekers, nature enthusiasts, and cultural explorers.

Products, Gear, & Gadgets:

🏆 Polartec Unveils Apex Design Award Winners: Outdoor textile innovator Polartec has recently revealed the recipients of its 2023 Apex Design Awards, celebrating excellence in fabric and apparel design. These accolades recognize industry leaders pushing the boundaries of performance and sustainability in outdoor gear.

❄️ Vail Resorts Simplifies Ski & Snowboard Rentals: Vail Resorts is revolutionizing the ski and snowboard rental experience, introducing an easy, streamlined process for visitors. Their new initiative aims to enhance convenience and accessibility for mountain enthusiasts hitting the slopes.

❄️ Navigating Ski Risk in Avalanche Terrain: Wired Magazine presents an insightful article that delves into the complexities of avalanche risk in the world of skiing. Discover how technology and data are being harnessed to understand better and mitigate the dangers that come with the thrill of skiing in avalanche-prone areas. This eye-opening read offers a deeper understanding of the science and strategies behind managing ski risk.