Outdoor Retailer - March 2021 - 21

companies asserted their support of the initiative and noted that success is only possible if all
levels of government and parties engage. They
also mentioned how investing in the climate
and the environment can fuel the industry's
economic power.
" One of our main messages is when the outdoors thrive, our businesses thrive, " says Rich
Harper, OIA's director of government affairs.
If achieved, the 30 by 30 plan would strongly boost protections. According to the U.S.
Geological Survey, only 12% of lands are permanently protected, and other studies show that
about 23% of America's oceans are protected.
California has already pledged to the goal,
with other states following suit. At least 50
countries have committed to the plan through
the High Ambition Coalition, which ofﬁcially
launched in January and is co-chaired by Costa
Rica, the United Kingdom, andFrance.

Caroline Gleich

ACCESS FOR ALL

Intersectional environmentalism has been at
the forefront of minds as advocates peel back
the layers of environmental racism and injustice. For Vasilaros, making recreation accessible
includes rebuilding resilient infrastructure like
roads and physical facilities as well as permitting systems and online resources. " We know
that the products people are using outdoors are
very advanced, so we want to make sure people
have access to information and they know where
to go and what areas are open, " she says.
In mid-February, OIA released its annual diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) progress report. The association created an internal DEI
task force and hired an expert consultant to
examine systems, policies, and strategies, and
determine the extent to which they either promote or inhibit diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Goals for 2021 include more training and weaving DEI initiatives into all aspects of the organization. " It is our hope that together we can be a
force to make sure the outdoors is for all, " wrote
OIA Executive Director Lise Aangeenbrug.
Biden is also addressing climate injustice in
disadvantaged communities. His Jan. 27 executive order on climate seeks to spur economic
opportunity for communities " that have been
historically marginalized and overburdened
by pollution and underinvestment in housing,
transportation, water and wastewater infrastructure, and health care. " Creating programs,
councils, policies, and jobs are part of this plan.
By investing in renewable energy, Biden ex-

Trump slashed
Bears Ears National
Monument from 1.3
million acres to
roughly 228,000
acres. Biden plans
to restore it.

pects to create millions of family-supporting
and union jobs in clean energy generation,
land restoration, abandoned mine cleanup, advanced manufacturing, sustainable agriculture,
and more, according to his executive order.

WHAT CAN THE INDUSTRY DO?

The greater industry's engagement is paramount to the success of these initiatives and
plans, say Harper and Vasilaros. Writing letters, calling representatives, and signing petitions will continue to be meaningful. " It's all our

civic duty to contact our members of Congress
and let them know what issues matter to you
most, " Vasilaros says.
Harper also invites OIA members to testify
at congressional hearings on behalf of the outdoor industry. Progress may not be immediately
evident, Harper says, but the Great American
Outdoors Act is a prime example of how years of
bipartisan lobbying led to actualization.
" Advocacy is about building on top of all of
these ideas, and they're just an extension of each
other, " he says. O.R.

MEET THE PLAYERS
While these four advocacy arms of the outdoor industry overlap to preserve and protect the planet,
each group has its own priorities and constituency. Here's a refresher on the nuances of the different
stakeholders.
1. Outdoor Recreation Roundtable: Founded in 2018, this coalition of 31 trade associations serves
more than 100,000 businesses from each individual sector of the outdoors, from boating to ﬁshing to RVs to ATVs to skiing. Members include Snowsports Industries America, Archery Trade
Association, Motorcycle Industry Council, Outdoor Industry Association, PeopleForBikes, and RV
Industry Association.
2. Outdoor Industry Association: The 30-year-old trade association primarily focuses on serving
the outdoor businesses that make up the industry. That includes brands like The North Face and
Patagonia, as well as independent specialty retailers. It also focuses on trade policy, sustainable
business innovation, and outdoor participation.
3. Outdoor Alliance: Made up of 10 national organizations like Access Fund and the Surfrider
Foundation, this nonproﬁt targets the user groups oriented around a certain type of human-powered outdoor pursuit. Another cornerstone is turning individuals and communities into stewards
and advocates for the environment.
4. The Conservation Alliance: Founded in 1989 by four outdoor companies, this organization harnesses the collective power of business to fund and advocate for the protection of North America's
wild places. One of its biggest initiatives is grantmaking. -A.A.

March 2021 / OUTDOOR RETAILER 21

http:// https://recreationroundtable.org/ https://outdoorindustry.org/ https://www.outdooralliance.org/ http:// http://www.conservationalliance.com/

Outdoor Retailer - March 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Outdoor Retailer - March 2021