In a letter to the president, industry leaders align on a critical issue for the health of the outdoor economy - protect our public lands.
BOULDER, CO – Outdoor industry executives representing 360 businesses and the $887 billion recreation economy submitted a letter to President Trump urging him to honor the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt by protecting the landscapes that compose our American public lands network, which supports jobs and lifestyles in rural and urban communities, thriving economies and a healthier nation.
The letter, signed by a diverse group of business executives in the outdoor gear, apparel, footwear, equipment, retail and service industries, calls for President Trump and his administration to maintain protections for national monuments and America's public lands and waters. The letter also called for the president to protect the integrity of the 1906 Antiquities Act, a law which has been utilized by Republican and Democratic presidents alike to preserve some of our nation's most iconic landscapes, waterways, wildlife sanctuaries and places of monumental beauty to ensure they remain uncorrupted and accessible for the enjoyment of future generations.
"Our monuments, public lands and waters are woven into the fabric of the American culture and heritage. The designation of these lands through the Antiquities Act might well be our nation's best idea, and it is our shared responsibility to protect these iconic places for the next generation to enjoy," said Amy Roberts, executive director of Outdoor Industry Association. "These special places are part of America's shared heritage and are hallmarks of who we are as Americans. Any reductions of public lands protections or the tools available to designate public lands would not only have a devastating economic impact on local communities, but is a betrayal of the conservation ethic established over 100 years ago by President Theodore Roosevelt.
The 360 businesses are diverse in size and location, ranging from Main Street retailers to Fortune 500 companies. Signatories include Adidas Outdoors, Burton, L.L.Bean, Orvis, The North Face, REI and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, all of which rely on the iconic outdoor places and experiences that our national monuments and public lands provide. If protections to public lands or the tools utilized to establish them are restricted or eliminated, these businesses will face significant short- and long-term consequences and we will have lost a national heritage that distinguishes America from the rest of the world.
About Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. Outdoor Industry Association unites and serves over 1,200 manufacturer, supplier, sales representative and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation and outdoor participation. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.
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