Issue No. 41: Industry Cheers Echo Biden's Monumental Move 👏✍️

Aug 11

Hey Outsiders! Welcome to Issue No. 41 of Outsider Insider! ✍️ This issue unveils the stories and insights behind this historic national monument designation made this week by President Biden, we explore the ancient footprints of heritage, the applause from industry giants and advocates, and the implications that ripple through both environmental policy and corporate landscapes.

Get ready to embark on a journey that highlights the power of unity in preserving natural treasures and cultural legacies. 🌄🌿🔍

Let's dive in! 👇

— Scott Crowder

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🏞️ Biden's Bold Brushstroke: Grand Canyon's Ancestral Footprints Now a Monument ✍️

🏞️ Biden Unveils New National Monument: In a significant move for conservation, President Biden has designated the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon as a national monument. This historic decision marks a watershed moment for stakeholders, indigenous communities, and environmental advocates alike.

🌄 Ancient Cultural Heritage: The newly designated national monument encompasses one million acres near the Grand Canyon and holds profound cultural significance for indigenous tribes, preserving ancestral footprints, and rich histories. This step underscores the administration's commitment to acknowledging and respecting the vital connections between native communities and the land.

🌿 Industry and Advocacy Applause: Renowned outdoor retailer REI and influential organizations like The Conservation Alliance, The Outdoor Industry Association, and over 50 member organizations have celebrated President Biden's decision, recognizing it as a testament to the power of collaborative conservation efforts. Their endorsements highlight the alignment between corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship, emphasizing a shared goal of protecting natural and cultural treasures.

🔍 Analysis: This designation underscores a broader trend where government, industries, and environmental organizations converge to address urgent ecological and cultural imperatives. The cooperation between private sector leaders and policymakers showcases the role of stakeholder collaboration in driving impactful change. Moreover, this monumental decision underlines the growing recognition of the value of land conservation and its multifaceted benefits, including preserving biodiversity, safeguarding cultural heritage, and bolstering local economies.

🏔️ Implications for the Future: President Biden's move reverberates beyond the immediate designation, signaling a trajectory for future environmental policies. The inclusion of indigenous perspectives in land conservation decisions and the alignment of business interests with environmental preservation highlights a strategic intersection that could become more common in the corporate landscape. As other regions confront similar challenges, this approach offers a template for collaborative solutions that prioritize both sustainability and cultural preservation.

Business, Industry, & Economy:

🚴‍♂️🌍 Movement for Change: Discover Strava's innovative tool that calculates carbon savings from activity, promoting eco-friendly transportation. As the push for sustainable mobility gains momentum, this initiative encourages individuals to make a positive impact on the environment one step or pedal stroke at a time.
⛺️🏞️ NEMO's Path to Sustainability: Join NEMO as they embark on a new journey towards environmental responsibility, announcing their membership with PeopleForBikes and the European Outdoor Group. This strategic alliance signifies a commitment to shaping a more sustainable future for the outdoor industry.
🚐📈 Kampgrounds of America's Continue Growth: Kampgrounds of America (KOA) celebrates a 2% increase in revenue over the first half of the year, continuing its streak of record-breaking same-store revenue. As travel trends gains momentum, KOA's positive performance signals a promising outlook, with advanced deposits surging by 9.5% compared to the previous year.
🌿🚫 Exposing Greenwashing Scams: Outside Media’s CLIMATE NEUTRAL-ISH delves into the deceptive tactics of greenwashing and how they undermine genuine environmental efforts. As consumer awareness grows, this insightful investigation highlights the importance of holding brands accountable for their sustainability claims.
🌟 Calling All Visionaries! Are you a founder with a world-changing venture in the making? Look no further – Wildwood Venture is on the hunt for trailblazers who are crafting the future of outdoor and wellness consumer tech. Don't miss your chance to pitch Wildwood Venture, running until 8/31, in collaboration with VentureFuel.
🏕️📈 Outdoor Ventures: Outdoorsy, the leading RV rental, and outdoor travel marketplace, is launching a fund to support budding glamping businesses, aiming to fuel innovation in the outdoor hospitality space. With venture capital firm Wildwood Ventures backing the initiative, the outdoorsy experience is poised for expansion.
🌍🎙️ Sustainable Chats: Mama Earth Talk, the podcast that delves into sustainable living, takes listeners on a journey to explore diverse ecological topics. Episode 180 invites us to learn from an insightful conversation with 1% for the Planet CEO Kate Williams, offering a deeper understanding of our planet and the sustainable choices that shape our lives.
🏞️🛍️ Summit Style: The iconic Mount Washington Observatory has selected Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) as its official exclusive outfitter, offering visitors the opportunity to gear up for their mountain adventures. This partnership not only ensures top-notch equipment but also showcases the synergy between brands that are dedicated to outdoor exploration.
🚴‍♀️ Ready to Amplify Your Impact? Join us at the Cycle of Influence Summit: Explore a transformative agenda at this year’s Cycle of Influence Summit that delves into sustainable business strategies, from conservation to equity, shaping the future of the outdoor industry. Engage with thought leaders and innovators to drive change. Registration is now open.
👕 Gear Up with Knowledge! Unveil the fascinating "Material Facts" behind outdoor apparel, courtesy of Rab. 🧥 Explore how sustainable fabric choices and cutting-edge innovations are redefining outdoor clothing, fusing performance with eco-consciousness. Dive into the science behind your gear.
🎣 Reeling in Success - Foundation Outdoor Group scores a game-changing acquisition: By adding Mud Hole Custom Tackle and American Tackle to their portfolio, Foundation Outdoor Group setting new standards in fishing gear. Prepare for a sea of innovation as they navigate the evolving angling landscape.
🌍 Celebrating Cool B Corps: Check out the top 10 B Corps according to Sustainability Magazine that are redefining business success by combining profitability with purpose. From sustainable energy to ethical fashion, these companies are leading the charge toward a more sustainable future.
⛰️ Workers' Plea Rekindles: Vail worker's plea to reconsider a settlement is set to be reexamined by a panel. The case sheds light on the critical juncture between labor rights and corporate interests, highlighting the ongoing dialogue around worker protections in the outdoor industry.
👗 Redesigning Fashion Education: The Aspen campus of Colorado Mountain College (CMC) unveils a groundbreaking program focused on clothing design, manufacturing, repair, and re-wearing. Addressing the fashion industry's impact, CMC takes a pioneering step towards fostering sustainable practices and innovation.

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Sustainability, Conservation, & Environment:

🌊🏙️ Navigating Rising Waters: Explore the interactive journey of New Orleans' battle against sea level rise, hurricanes, and wetland erosion. As this vulnerable city adapts to the changing climate, witness the intricate dance between nature and urbanity.
🔥😓 Heat Waves' Hidden Toll: Uncover the sobering reality behind deadly heat waves. Beyond rising temperatures, social isolation can exacerbate the impacts, highlighting the urgent need for community support systems to protect vulnerable populations.
🌡️📈 Climbing Heat Records: The Wall Street Journal dives into the alarming data behind July 2023's record-breaking heat. As climate change continues to intensify, the relentless climb of global temperatures serves as a stark reminder of the urgent action needed to address this pressing crisis.
🏞️📸 Glacier National Park's Changing Landscape: Witness the dramatic transformation of Glacier National Park over the past century through captivating photos. As glaciers recede and landscapes evolve, these images offer a visual testament to the impacts of climate change on our natural wonders.
🌿🏗️ Concrete's Carbon Conundrum: Dive into the environmental impact of concrete production. As a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the cement industry is exploring innovative solutions to reduce its carbon footprint, paving the way for more sustainable construction practices.
🌱🌎 Indigenous Lands and Development Solutions: Discover how Indigenous communities are leading the charge in sustainable land development. By blending traditional wisdom with modern conservation approaches, these communities are championing nature while advancing economic and social well-being.
🐻🌲 Man and Bear Legends: Explore the captivating history of human-bear interactions through legends and stories. From reverence to fear, these tales offer insight into the intricate relationship between people and bears, shedding light on the shared landscapes we coexist within.
♻️⛷️ Colorado Ski Resorts Collaborate for Sustainability: Colorado's ski resorts are taking a united stand for sustainability. As climate change impacts the winter sports industry, collaboration among these resorts is crucial for adopting eco-friendly practices and mitigating environmental impact. By coming together, they aim to protect the snowy playgrounds they call home.
🌍🌿 Indigenous Guardians for Environmental Protection: Learn how Indigenous communities in Canada are leading the charge in environmental conservation. By blending traditional knowledge with modern practices, these Indigenous Guardians are safeguarding their ancestral lands and contributing to the global effort to protect biodiversity and combat climate change. 🌱🌏 #IndigenousConservation
🔥🌎 Nature Conservation in the Era of Global Boiling: In the face of climate change, nature conservation becomes paramount. As temperatures rise and ecosystems face unprecedented challenges, preserving biodiversity and natural habitats is a crucial step towards ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for our planet.

Health, Wellness, & Fitness:

🧠🏃‍♂️ Evolutionary Insights: Ultramarathon runners' brains might hold the key to understanding our evolutionary journey. Research suggests that ultra runners' brains exhibit certain adaptations that might be linked to the ancestral survival strategy of persistence hunting, providing intriguing insights into how our bodies have evolved to endure long-distance running.
📊💪 Fitness Data Overload: With the rise of wearable fitness technology, managing the influx of fitness data can become overwhelming. Runners are now faced with a data-rich environment that begs the question: How do you make the most of this information without getting lost in the metrics? As technology continues to shape the way we train, finding a balance between data-driven insights and intuitive training remains crucial.
💧🚣‍♂️ Rise in Water-Related Deaths: Colorado is witnessing a concerning increase in water-related deaths. While outdoor recreation in natural water bodies offers exhilarating experiences, it's important to acknowledge the risks and take necessary precautions. Amidst the challenges, stories of successful rescues underscore the importance of safety awareness and preparedness, reminding us that responsible adventure is the key to a safer outdoor experience.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:

🏃‍♀️🌈 Equity in Trail Running: The trail running community is taking critical steps towards inclusivity and equity. Initiatives are emerging to address the underrepresentation of marginalized groups, fostering a more diverse and welcoming space for all trail enthusiasts. This effort reflects the broader shift towards inclusivity in outdoor activities, acknowledging that everyone deserves equal access and opportunities to explore the natural world.
👟🌍 Collaborative Impact: Altra, a trail running footwear brand, is making waves by unveiling their Paradigm 7 shoe and announcing a collaboration with Kara Goucher and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. This partnership not only showcases the intersection of sports, innovation, and philanthropy but also highlights the industry's potential to create meaningful change and contribute to important causes.
🌟🎟️ Inclusive Outdoor Gathering: Patagonia is championing inclusivity by sponsoring bursary tickets for the Blue Earth Summit, ensuring a diverse audience for this important event. This move reinforces the brand's commitment to fostering a more inclusive outdoor community, where diverse voices and perspectives can come together to address critical environmental and societal challenges.

Travel, Tourism, & Hospitality:

🚀 Space Tourism's Milestone: Virgin Galactic has achieved another milestone by successfully launching its first tourism-focused mission, marking a significant step towards realizing the dreams of commercial space travel. This event underscores the growing interest in space tourism, with companies like Virgin Galactic paving the way for a new era of extraterrestrial adventures.
❄️🌍 Climate Goals in Europe: The European Union has launched an ambitious initiative, the Green Deal, aimed at transforming the region into a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. As a part of this effort, the EU has proposed a sweeping ban on gas boilers by 2025, highlighting the continued emphasis on combating climate change and transitioning towards sustainable energy sources.
🏞️🛌 Adventure Lodging's Evolution: Fitt Insider reports how the outdoor recreation industry is fostering a new era of adventure lodging, driven by the growing demand for unique and immersive experiences. From treehouses to glamping sites, outdoor accommodations are redefining travel preferences, offering travelers the chance to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying modern comforts. This trend underscores the evolving preferences of travelers seeking authentic and sustainable escapes.

Government, Grants, & Policy:

🏨 Airbnb Legal Twist: The lawsuit brought by Airbnb challenging NYC's short-term rental rules has been dismissed, marking a significant development in the ongoing debate between home-sharing platforms and local regulations. This ruling could shape the future of short-term rentals in metropolitan areas and potentially impact the dynamics of the sharing economy.
🏞️ Arctic Lease Legal Battle: Alaska's state agency, entangled in the oil industry, faced a setback as its bid to halt the Biden administration's moratorium on oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was rejected. This decision emphasizes the Biden administration's stance on prioritizing conservation and addressing climate concerns, while underscoring the complexities of balancing energy interests and environmental protection.
🌳 Equitable Outdoors: Made x MTNs, with a mission to bridge the diversity gap in the outdoor industry, has announced the recipients of its Outdoor Equity Fund grants. This initiative's recognition and support of underrepresented communities aligns with the industry's growing focus on inclusivity and accessibility. As the outdoor space evolves towards a more equitable landscape, these grants contribute to positive change in outdoor recreation and engagement.
🌳 Senate Spotlight: New Hope for Forests! The Senate introduces a much-needed forest conservation program, aimed at addressing the pressing challenges facing our precious woodlands. This initiative signifies a significant step towards bolstering the protection and sustainable management of these vital ecosystems. As we grapple with escalating concerns over deforestation and habitat loss, this program's introduction brings renewed hope for a greener, more resilient future.
🌊 Coastal Commitment: The Biden-Harris administration's allocation of $32 million for coastal conservation, restoration, and resilience initiatives speaks volumes about their dedication to safeguarding our vulnerable shorelines. As sea levels rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, this investment underscores the imperative of fortifying our coastal environments against the impacts of climate change. By focusing on restoration and building resilience, this funding sets the stage for a more resilient and sustainable coastal future.
🏞️ New Leadership in the Outdoors: The appointment of Ana Karina Armijo as the Executive Director of the New Mexico Office of Outdoor Recreation signifies a pivotal moment for the promotion of outdoor activities and engagement. With fresh leadership at the helm, the office is poised to embrace innovative approaches to fostering a deeper connection between people and nature. As Armijo steps into this role, her vision and strategies could play a pivotal role in driving the growth and sustainability of outdoor recreation, benefiting both individuals and the environment.

Products, Gear, & Gadgets:

🌿 CamelBak's Latest - Sip on Sustainability: CamelBak just dropped their most sustainably made pack yet, embracing eco-friendly materials and manufacturing to quench your thirst for both adventure and sustainability.
🔥🧥 Stay Toasty with eWool: Canada's eWool, the heated technology pioneers, are making their way to the US this fall, promising cozy adventures with their innovative heated gear. Plus, they're heating up the scene even more by expanding their global headquarters in Montreal.

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PHC Commissioner