Outdoor companies, take a public stand

Pow shots are cool. V16 is rad. Fog swirling around an artfully draped blanket is neat too. Sunrises and sunsets are beautiful. But do you know what is not cool, rad, neat or beautiful? Our public lands being taken away from us, from you.

It’s time to take a public stand. I know that some of you may have signed OIA’s open letter. Maybe you are working behind the scenes. But what’s next? It’s time to show the public that you care.

I get this is a touchy subject to approach. Your bottom line depends on it either way. Without land, you don’t have recreation. Without recreation, there are no customers. It is not the time to “stay out of politics”, because politics are everywhere.

If you don’t take a stand now, when will you? If you’re waiting for someone else to stand up first, who is going to?

People are listening and people are watching.

• If your athletes are activists, highlight their work and their words. It’s not coming directly from you, but it’s a subtle nod of support.
  

  Polar bears and paddle boarding?! A short teaser of the solo immaculate mayhem…magic, beauty and power of remote and wild nature…on my most recent solo expedition last August to an unexplored area of East Greenland, I spent time climbing two big towers, pack-rafting a couple dozen miles of rivers, and about 80 miles of paddle boarding in two neighboring fjords (one of my favs)…all while helping to further research on polar bears, micro-plastics, and DNA/scat in efforts for conservation with @adventurescience (check them out for more info)…twice I found myself in the incredible, fantastic moment of ‘now’ paddling next to polar bears…notice the 360/Spherical cameras on my helmet and paddle board…this is a short teaser…working on the edits now…more to come…looking forward to share the VR experience soon… @adventurescience @natgeo @dell @mountainhardwear @clifbar @goalzero @naishsup @kokatatusa @fiveten_official @blackdiamond

  A video posted by Mike Libecki (@mikelibecki) on Jan 9, 2017 at 5:48pm PST

• Along those lines, share the work of the non-profits you support. Tell your followers to back them too!
  

  Lots going on in the world these days, including unprecedented involvement with worthwhile nonprofits. Some things are up in the air right now, but our commitment to the greater good is not. Sign up with our friends at @stwcoalition and get 20% off Peak Design gear. #protecttheplacesyoulove #findyourpeak

  A photo posted by Peak Design (@peakdesign) on Jan 30, 2017 at 5:52pm PST

• If you love national parks—I mean, come on, who doesn’t love our national parks—talk about how much you love and want to protect them.
  

  @macklemore: “If you want a dose of perspective and what really matters, if you want a dose of impermanence…there’s no better place to be than outside.” Click the link in our profile to hike @MountRainierNPS with a Pacific Northwest icon. | #TestedTough

  A photo posted by Columbia Sportswear (@columbia1938) on Feb 1, 2017 at 10:21am PST

• Climate change is real, accelerated rapidly by anthropogenic activity. Oceans are warming. Cold weather clothing sales are declining. Sharing photos of glaciers back then and now… they’re just pretty pictures, and pretty facts. Or better yet, support your athletes telling stories about receding glaciers.
  

  @tedhesser captured this photo of team videographer @tay.keating climbing Mt Kenya high above the Lewis Glacier. What’s left of it at least. A local guide we passed on route mentioned that the rock bridge seen below didn’t exist just 3 years ago. It’s lost 90% of its volume over the last 80 years and what little is left is going fast. And yet we in the US just elected someone who denies that climate change exists. Craziness. Or just sadness. @thenorthface @goalzero

  A photo posted by Alex Honnold (@alexhonnold) on Jan 3, 2017 at 10:31am PST

• We all need clean water to drink. But let’s pretend that’s accessible for all. Kayaking, SUPing, fishing, deep water soloing… nobody’s going to get into polluted water. Hint at protecting streams, because we’re all falling into it.
• If we can’t breathe, we can’t play. Clean air is not an alternative fact. Share photos that focus on inversions and smog, but comment on the beautiful scenery around it. Let the photo do the talking. Let’s face it, pollution never makes for truly pretty ‘grams anyway.
  

  All that inversion. Glad it’s cleared out! I’ve been working on a photo project based on pollution, it’s still in the works, but this is one photo that is a part of the series. More to come at @landonfaulknerphotography #makeadventure

  A photo posted by L A N D O N F A U L K N E R (@landonfaulkner_) on Feb 1, 2017 at 12:51pm PST

I’ve compiled a Twitter list of brands who’ve spoken up or are doing general good here.

Thank you to the companies who have thrown their voices into the mix and shared photos, tweets and content, even if it was just one post. I’d like to highlight them below.

Why Outdoor Retailer should leave Utah by Black Diamond founder, Peter Metcalf

Join Outdoor Research to stop drilling in national parks

Johnie Gall on defending fun for Oru Kayak

The outdoor industry loves Utah, but does Utah love the outdoor industry, ponders Patagonia

Join us and @Wilderness in taking action to protect 3.3 million acres of public lands from being ‘disposed of’: https://t.co/OANXlUvVVq pic.twitter.com/gkZBT0W0k9

— Osprey Packs (@OspreyPacks) January 31, 2017

Join the @backcountryhunters crew in Helena at the Capitol Rotunda today at noon to show your support for public lands! Photo by @rileymt #FirstLite #KeepItPublic

A photo posted by First Lite (@firstlitehunting) on Jan 30, 2017 at 10:31am PST

The public lands you fish, hunt and recreate on are in danger and need your help. Proposed bill HR-621 is threatening to sell 3.3 million acres of your land. Let your local representatives know where you stand now by following the link in our profile and signing the petition. #keepamericapublic #keepitpublic #publiclandsproud #publiclandowners #publiclands

A photo posted by Fishpond (@fishpondusa) on Feb 1, 2017 at 9:15am PST

As the very real threat to our public lands gets ever closer – @conservationalliance, @outdooralliance, and @outdoorindusty are banding together to create an army of public lands advocates. We encourage you all to add your voice to protect the places and the laws by which those lands are protected. The folks at Ibex have already signed up and we hope you do, too. To join: Text OUTDOOR to 52886 — follow the prompts to add your name and location. This info is only used for the purpose of gathering support when we need it; it won’t be sold or shared with anyone. 📸: Ibex employee @cmquinn

A photo posted by Ibex Outdoor Clothing (@ibexwool) on Jan 20, 2017 at 6:46am PST

Equality for all. #everywherebetter

A photo posted by Nau Clothing (@nauclothing) on Jan 20, 2017 at 9:42am PST

“We are at the precipice of absolute ecological and economic disaster,” says Zack Jud, PhD of the Florida Oceanographic Society. … It’s a disaster that threatens Florida’s fishing, boating, and tourism industries which support 1.3 million jobs and contribute over $109 billion into the state’s economy. … Click the link in our profile to watch this new video from @captainsforcleanwater and to learn more about what’s happening in South Florida, the Everglades and the surrounding saltwater habitats. It’s #NowOrNeverglades. . . #findyourwild #orvisflyfishing #fightforyourwild #Florida

A photo posted by The Orvis Company (@orvis) on Jan 11, 2017 at 2:47pm PST

We at Toad&Co believe in the power of travel, the peaceful exchange of ideas and the pursuit of happiness for all, regardless of what country is stamped on the front of your passport. Wanderlust knows no nationality. #NoBanNoWall #togetherweareaforce

A photo posted by Toad&Co (@toadandcoclothing) on Jan 30, 2017 at 11:37am PST

Save the BWCA. Take action to protect our water backyard! We’ve worked for years to reach this point, and this comment period is the most important action yet that we as citizens can take to protect clean water and wilderness in the Boundary Waters for future generations. Please visit savetheboundarywaters.org/take-action/Comment to let your voice be heard! Photo: Amy Freeman (with some help from Tank) gathers a water quality sample on Gordon Lake in the BWCA during the Year in the Wilderness Expedition, June 2016 wearing her MTI Cascade life jacket. #savethebwca #bwca @freemanexplore @savethebwca 📷: @arborealis

A photo posted by mti adventurewear (@mti_life_jackets) on Jan 17, 2017 at 1:52pm PST

Know of a brand that I missed? Let me know in the comments, or shoot me an email, and I’ll get them on the post and Twitter list. Please note that these lists are in no way exhaustive or all encompassing and at the time of writing, it is 1:33AM and I cannot comb through anymore social media accounts.

PS – If your focus is on doing good around the globe through manufacturing, providing renewable energy, clean water, etc., thank you for your work. Keep on fighting.

Edited 2/2/2017 9:55AM to add Oru Kayak, Patagonia, and support for non-profits.