Late this afternoon, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance received the following video dispatch from Lin Peterson at Great Outdoor Provision Co. Lin was in the middle of climbing in the Tetons, and took time out to enjoy some of the Trail Mix Crunch that samples that Grassroots retailers passed out this summer.
Thanks Lin for taking time out during that great climb to check in with us back home.
To see Lin’s video, click here
In June, Grassroots Retailers worked with Post Cereal to promote Trail Mix Crunch to benefit the environment. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and Post Cereal partnered to benefit American Forests’ Global ReLeaf Program. In a joint effort, Post Cereals donated $50,000 to American Forests-enough to plant 50,000 trees in 2008. The partnership brings together the effort of 34 independent retailers across 22 states to lend support to the program.
The effort is highlighted in Grassroots’ member stores across the country in conjunction with the launch of Post’s new Cranberry Vanilla cereal. Customers will receive samples of the new cereal and learn more about getting involved with the American Forests restoration program in each location. American Forests is a world leader in planting trees for environmental restoration, a pioneer in the science and practice of urban forestry, and a primary communicator of the benefits of trees and forests. The joint effort is kicking off this weekend with National Trails Day and Land Trust events at Grassroots’ retailers throughout the U.S.
Grassroots President, Dave Matz says of the partnership, “We were approached by Post to help them develop a conservation program in all of our member locations, and we are excited for the opportunity.” About the restoration initiative, Matz says, “We are committed to supporting conservation efforts, and helping companies do their part for the environment. Post has pledged to donate $50,000 to plant trees via Global ReLeaf, and we are happy to be the leaders helping them coordinate this outreach.”
For more information on the Global ReLeaf Program and to support local Grassroots’ members, please visit, www.americanforests.org
Beautiful images of the natural wonders of North Carolina have inspired generations of people to be better stewards of our precious natural resources. The Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition aims to encourage people to participate in nature photography, thereby fostering greater appreciation of North Carolina’s wildlife and wild places.
All winners will be published in the January 2009 issue of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine and exhibited at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. Winners will also receive a print of their winning entry and products from sponsor Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Grand prize: Your photo published on the cover of the January 2009 issue of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine, plus $200
First place, all categories: $100
Second place, all categories: $75
Third place, all categories: $50
Special state parks prize: One photo taken in North Carolina state parks, regardless of category, will be selected as Best of State Parks. The winner will receive camping passes at their choice of North Carolina state parks and other noncash prizes to be determined. Finalists in consideration for this honor will be exhibited at various parks across the state.
» Enter Online by Sept 15
As you may know, the North Carolina State Trails Program is launching a research project designed to collect information from both resident and non-resident paddlers who enjoy the lakes, rivers and coastal areas of our state. We will use the results from this project to promote paddling, enhance paddling experiences, and increase awareness of paddle tourism throughout North Carolina.
The survey will take approximately ten minutes of your time - you can begin by clicking on this link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ogSiusYwE3APwc_2fq6Pn3MA_3d_3d
Each respondent will be entered into a drawing for a $200 gift card to the Great Outdoor Provision Co.!
The results of this survey will be posted on the NC Parks website in the fall of 2008 at www.ncparks.gov under Items of Interest.
If you should have questions about the study, our Project Manager, Jennifer Beedle, will be happy to answer them. She can be reached at Jennifer.Beedle@ncmail.net or by phone at 919-715-9613.
Please share this information with fellow paddlers both inside and outside North Carolina; we would like to hear from as many people as possible.
Thank you very much for your participation,
Darrell McBane, State Trails Program Coordinator
Congratulations to Piedmont Regional Greenway, Winner of our 2008 “Vote for Land” sponsored by Patagonia and Great Outdoor Provision Co.
When the “polls” closed at 12 noon June 6th, Piedmont Regional Greenway was the winner of the $3000 grant from Patagonia. Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2008 “Vote for Land” event. We had nearly 13,000 people participate in the voting. Very exciting to see such a passionate response to preserve open space in our State. The votes cast produced the following results:
The Piedmont Regional Greenway - 4003
Rocky Fork - 3806
Pond Mountain - 2750
The Terra Nova Center - 879
Town Creek Riparian Forest - 487
Tar River Paddle Trail - 476
First Island, Deep River - 324
Join us today, Saturday, June 7th for Land Trust Day as we donate 10% of our sales to local land trusts. Volunteer opportunities to work on area trails can be found HERE
Back in the early 70’s when we got started in the outdoor outfitting business, we gave little thought to availability of open spaces for hiking, paddling, running and biking. Pick up a map, match the trip to available time, and go. Over time, those great trips lost some of their character, and the joy in the outings diminished. Viewscapes became cluttered with new development as farmers planted septic tanks for homes instead of agricultural crops; shopping centers grew out of pastures; unofficial “trails” along streams were posted; access to public waters closed.
In 1992 when the first Saturday in June was designated “National Trails Day,” we wanted to do something to celebrate the value of all kinds of “muscle powered” trails. And, we wanted to give something back to one of the cornerstones of our outdoor clothing and equipment business, a self imposed “earth tax,” if you will. We settled on a donation of 10% of sales receipts on National Trails Day in all our Great Outdoor Provision Co. stores. We chose local land trusts as the beneficiary as they acquire land for protection thru purchase in the open real estate market or by gift, thereby guaranteeing that the most endangered lands of greatest importance to local communities and regions are protected. Further, land trusts manage “conservation easements,” where landowners donate development rights to their land in order to protect the land’s natural qualities and take advantage of federal and state tax benefits. Often these benefits allow landowners and their heirs to keep land open and undeveloped. Lots of value for the health of the community with very low overhead cost makes for a highly efficient contribution.
That first year we raised a little over $14,000. Since our Land Trust Day in support of National Trails Day started, we have raised over $225,000 for land trusts here in North Carolina. Once again, we are pushing other retailers to join us, with whatever percentage their businesses can afford, in order to maximize the moneys raised and the open spaces saved. We are proud of our stewardship, and ask you to support our efforts by making purchases in one of our stores, or those of one of the other retailers that have joined our efforts, on June 7, 2008. Let’s keep the joy in those all important trips on our local trails.
Help protect open space by shopping with us on Sat, June 7. 10% of sales will be donated to local land trusts. Voting ends at noon on June 6. Land Grant winner will be announced on June 7.
Back in the early 70’s when we got started in the outdoor outfitting business, we gave little thought to availability of open spaces for hiking, paddling, running and biking. Pick up a map, match the trip to available time, and go. Over time, those great trips lost some of their character, and the joy in the outings diminished. Viewscapes became cluttered with new development as farmers planted septic tanks for homes instead of agricultural crops; shopping centers grew out of pastures; unofficial “trails” along streams were posted; access to public waters closed.
