UPDATED FEBRUARY 14, 2017

To our elected officials and those who value America’s great outdoors:

This open letter expresses the view of more than 200 leaders of large and small businesses in the outdoor industry, which contributes more than $650 billion annually to the U.S. economy, generates $80 billion in tax revenue and employs more than 6 million people. Together, we represent a huge range of activities—from hiking to hunting and camping to conservation.

Our businesses make the lives of everyday Americans, from every corner of the political spectrum, healthier and happier. We do not often unite as an industry in the way we are today but we are compelled to make clear our collective view on a vitally important issue that affects the economic health of our industry, our local communities, and the lives of all Americans.

It is an American right to roam in our public lands. The people of the United States, today and tomorrow, share equally in the ownership of these majestic places. This powerful idea transcends party lines and sets our country apart from the rest of the world. That is why we strongly oppose any proposal, current or future, that devalues or compromises the integrity of our national public lands.

Yet as the 115th Congress begins, efforts are underway that threaten to undermine over one hundred years of public investment, stewardship and enjoyment of our national public lands. Stated simply, these efforts would be bad for the American people. They include the potential of national public lands being privatized or given to states who might sell them to the highest bidder. This would unravel courageous efforts by leaders from across the political spectrum up to the present day, including Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt.

This is not a red or blue issue. It is an issue that affects our shared freedoms. Public lands should remain in public hands.

We hold these views both as leaders of the outdoor industry — which creates significant economic value for this country — and as individuals who believe deeply that the next generation should be free to benefit from our national public lands as we and our families do today.

The undersigned companies are therefore working together to ensure that all Americans maintain their right to our iconic national public lands and that it is not taken away.

 

Outdoor Industry Association, Amy Roberts, Executive Director

Adventure 16. John D. Mead, President

Allett Inc., Bridget Muscat, President

Alpacka Raft, Thor Tingey, CEO / Founder

Alpine Shop, Ltd., Russell Hollenbeck, President

Appalachian Outfitters, Mike & Karen Leffler, Owners

Ascension Sales, Brad Barlage, Eric Johnson & Brian Stevenson, Partners

Ascent Solar Technologies, Victor Lee, President & CEO

Backbone Media, Penn Newhard, Founder & Managing Partner

Backcountry, Jonathan Nielsen, CEO

Backcountry North, Tracy Mayer, Owner

Backpacker’s Pantry, Rodney Smith, President

Backwoods Retail, Inc., Jennifer Mull, Owner & CEO

BearVault, Tracy Twist, President

Benchmade Knife Company, David Fee, Vice President

Big Agnes, Bill Gamber, CEO

BioLite, Jonathan Cedar, Founder & CEO

Black Creek Outfitters, Joe & Liz Butler, Owners

Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., John Walbrecht, President

Bogs Footwear, Dustin Combs, President

Bolt Threads, Dan Widmaier, CEO

Braided River, Helen Cherullo, Executive Director

Brook Hopper Consulting, Brook Hopper, Founder & CEO

Brooklyn Boulders, Lance Pinn, President

Brooks Running Company, Jim Weber, CEO

Burley Design, Allison Coughlin, President

Burton Snowboards, Donna Carpenter, CEO

Campmate, Chris Holt, CEO

Cascade Designs, David Burroughs, President

Cedar Ravine, Stephanie Carmi & Christine Stahr, Co-Founders

CGPR LLC, Chris Ann Goddard, President

Chaco, Seth Cobb, President

Champaign Surplus, Dan & Shira Epstein, Owners

Chimani, Inc., Kerry Gallivan, Founder & CEO

Clif Bar & Company, Kevin Cleary, CEO

Columbia Sportswear Company, Tim Boyle, President & CEO

Combat Flip Flops, Matthew Griffin, CEO

Concept III Textiles, Christopher Parkes, President

Confluence Watersports, Sue Rechner, President & CEO

Cotopaxi, Davis Smith, Founder/CEO

Dakine, Ken Meidell, CEO

Darn Tough Vermont, Ric Cabot, President & CEO

Denali, Chris Howe, Owner

Deuter, Bill Hartrampf, President

Diamond Brand Outdoors, Will Gay, Owner

Digital Operative, BJ Cook, CEO

DPS Skis, Stephan Drake, Owner

Eagle Creek, Roger Spatz, President

Eastside Sports, Chris Iversen & Todd Vogel, Co-Owners

eGrips, Chris Klinke, President

Elevenpine, Jeff Curran, CEO

Equinox Ltd., Robert Cross, President

EXPED LLC, Ted Steudel, President

Exxel Outdoors, LLC, Harry Kazazian, CEO

Far Bank Enterprises, Travis Campbell, President & CEO

Farm to Feet, Dave Petri, VP Marketing

Fayettechill, Andrew Gibbs-Dabney, CEO

Fediltas Development, Tyler Sickmeyer, CEO

Feral Mountain Co., Jimmy Funkhouser, Owner

First Lite, Kenton Carruth, Co-Founder and Owner

Fishpond, John Land Le Coq, Founder & CEO

Flowfold, James Morin, Owner & COO

Garmont, Bill Dodge, CEO

Gear for Adventure, Kevin & Sarah Beckwith, Owners

Gear Well, Ryan Norris, Owner

Goal Zero, William Harmon, General Manager

Good To-Go, David Koorits, Founder

goTenna, Daniela Perdomo, Co-Founder & CEO

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, Rich Hill, President

Great Outdoor Provision Co., Travis Zarins, Owner

GU Energy Labs, Brian Vaughan, Founder/CEO

Hala Gear SUP, Peter Hall, CEO

Hestra USA, Dino Dardano, President

High Above, John Canfield, Owner

Hillsound Equipment Inc., James Joh, General Manager

Hipcamp, Alyssa Ravasio, Founder & CEO

HippyTree, Andrew Sarnecki, Founder/CEO

Honey Stinger, Rich Hager, CEO

Hydrapak LLC, Matt Lyon, President & CEO

Hydro Flask, Scott Allan, General Manager

Ibex Outdoor Clothing, Ted Manning, CEO

IceMule Coolers, James Collie, Founder/CEO

Idaho Mountain Touring, Chris & Jill Haunold, Owners

Indigitous, Larry Pluimer, CEO

IPA Connect, Andy Marker, President/Founder

JanSport, Steve Munn, President

Jack Dennis Sports, Keith O’Toole, VP Operations

Jax Mercantile Co., Jim Quinlan, President

Kammok, Haley Robison, CEO

Keen, Casey Sheahan, CEO

Klean Kanteen, Jim Osgood, President & CEO and Jeff Cresswell, Co-Owner/Brand Steward

Kokatat, Steve O’Meara, Founder/CEO

Kuhl, Kevin Boyle, President

La Sportiva N.A., Inc., Jonathan Lantz, President

Light Speed Outdoors, Brian Cox, CEO

L.L. Bean, Stephen Smith, President & CEO

Lucy, Laurie Etheridge, President

Manzanita Outdoor LLC, David Wheeler, Owner

Massey’s Outfitters, Mike Massey, President

Masterit, Steve Cohen, CEO

Mayfly Outdoors, David Dragoo, President/CEO

Mercury Mambo, Becky Arreaga, President

Merrell, Inc., Jim Zwiers, President

MiiR, Bryan Papé, Founder & CEO

MONTANE, Jake Doxat, Managing Director

Mountain Hardwear, Dennis Randall, CMO

Mountain Khakis, Ross Saldarini, President

Mountain Safety Research (MSR), Chris Parkhurst, Vice President

Mountain Works, Inc., Jim Smith, President

MTI Adventurewear, Lili Colby, Owner

My Outdoor Alphabet, Seth Neilson, CEO

Nantahala Outdoor Center, Jay Curwen, Vice President

Native Eyewear, John Sanchez, General Manager

Nau International, Inc., Mark Galbraith, General Manager

Nemo, Cam Brensinger, CEO

Nester Hosiery, Kelly Nester, CEO

New Balance, Rob DeMartini, President & CEO

Nikwax North America, Rick Meade, President

NRS, Bryan Dingel, CEO

Oboz Footwear, John Connelly, CEO

OOFOS, Lou Panaccione, Co-Founder & CEO

Ortlieb USA, Jeff Scully, President

Ortovox, Bill Hartrampf, President

Oru Kayak, Roberto Gutierrez, Founder & CCO

Orvis, Perk Perkins, CEO

Osprey Packs, Layne Rigney, President

Outdoor Research, Dan Nordstrom, CEO

Outdoor Sports Marketing, Rion Smith, President

Outlaw Donkey.com, Roanne Miller Mayer, Partner

Outside Brands / Outside Hilton Head, Mike Overton, CEO

Pack & Paddle, John Williams, President

Pack Rat Outdoor Center, Scott & Carolyn Crook, Founders & Owners

Packtowl, Doug Jacot, Vice President

PahaQue Wilderness, Jeff Bamford, Founder and President

Pakayak, Doug Mackro, President & CEO

Pangaea Ltd./Feathered Friends, Peter Hickner, President

Patagonia, Rose Marcario, President & CEO

Peak Design, Peter Dering, Founder & CEO

Petzl America, Nazz Kurth, President

Piragis Northwoods Company, Steve Piragis, Owner

Pistil Designs, Todd Douglass, Forrest Jones & Pete Hixson, Founders

Platypus, Doug Jacot, Vice President

PLUS foam, Jason Stanson, President & COO

Point6, Peter Duke, CEO

Portland WoolenMills, Doug Hoschek & Tina Machuca, Owners

prAna Living, Scott Kerslake, CEO

Ramsey Outdoor, Stuart and Michael Levine, Owners

Redington, Travis Campbell, President & CEO

Red Lantern Journeys, Ambrose Bittner, Founder & Managing Director

REI Co-op, Jerry Stritzke, President & CEO

Rio, Travis Campbell, President & CEO

Rising Tide Associates, David Costello, Principal

River Sports Outfitters, Ed McAlister, Owner

Roads Rivers and Trails, Emily White, Co-Founder & Owner

Roar Sport, LLC, CJ Riggins, CEO/Founder

Rock Creek Outfitters, Dawson Wheeler, Founder

Roots Rated, Fynn Glover, Founder/CEO

Royal Robbins, Michael Millenacker, CEO

Ruffwear, Patrick Kruse, R&D Director & Founder

Rutabaga Paddlesports, Darren Bush, Owner & CEO

rygr, Brian Holcombe, Principal

Sage, Travis Campbell, President & CEO

Salewa North America, Brian Mecham, General Manager

Sanitas Sales Group, Keith Reis, President

SCARPA North America, Kim Miller, CEO

SealLine, Doug Jacot, Vice President

Seattle Manufacturing Corporation, Kathy Hughes, President

Serius, Wendy Carey, EVP/CFO

Shuksan Trading Inc., Daniel Landon, President

Simms, K.C. Walsh, President & CEO

Skinny Skis, Phil Leeds & Scott O’Brien, Owners

Soar Communications, Chip Smith, President

Sorel, Mark Nenow, President

Stanley PMI, Kelly Kraus, Vice President, Stanley Brand

Stio, Stephen Sullivan, Founder/ CEO

Summit Hut, Dana Davis, President & Co-Owner

Sunday Afternoons, Inc., Sarah Sameh, CEO

Sunlight Sports, Wes Allen, Owner

Superfeet Worldwide, John Rauvola, CEO

Swiftwick, Chuck Smith, President

Tahoe Mountain Sports, Dave Polivy, Co-Owner

Tektite Industries, Inc., Scott Mele, President

Tenkara USA, Daniel Galhardo, Founder & CEO

Terra, PR, Alli Noland, Founder

The Base Camp, Scott Brown, Owner

The Mountaineer, Vinny McClelland, President

The North Face, Scott Baxter, Group President

The Outbound Collective, Brian Heifferon, Founder & CEO

The Trail Head, Todd Frank, Owner

The Toggery, Trek Stephens, President

Therm-a-Rest Brands, Doug Jacot, Vice President

Three Streams Productions, Eric Hardee, Owner

Timberland, Jim Pisani, President

Timbuk2, Patti Cazzato, CEO

Toad&Co, Gordon Seabury, CEO (& OIA board chair)

Topo Athletic, Tony Post, Founder & CEO

Trail Creek Outfitters, Ed Camelli & Brian Havertine, Owners

Trango, Chris Klinke, President

Travel Country, Mike Plante, Owner

Trek Light Gear, Seth Haber, Founder & CEO

22 Designs, Chris Valiante, Owner

Ute Mountaineer, Bob Wade & Maile Spung, Owners

Vans, Doug Palladini, President

Verde Brand Communications, Kristin Carpenter-Ogden, President and Founder

Vestigo, Marshall Mosher, CEO &Founder

VF Corporation, Steve Rendle, President & CEO

Weighmyrack, Allison Dennis, Founder & CEO

Western Spirit Cycling, Ashley Korenblat, CEO

What’s UP Public Relations, Beth L. Cochran, Founder/Owner

Wild Things, LLC, Edward M. Schmults, CEO

Wolverine Worldwide, Inc., Blake Krueger, CEO

Woolrich, Inc., Nick Brayton, President

Yakima Products, Ryan Martin, CEO

Zamberlan USA, Inc., Philip Benson, General Manager

Zumiez, Inc., Tom Campion, Founder & Chairman

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Want to help amplify this message? Download a PDF of this letter and post it on your company’s website.

Share this message on social media. Here are a few suggested Tweets and posts:

• Tweet 1: Outdoor Industry Business Leaders all agree: #ProtectOurPublicLands http://oia.outdoorindustry.org/e/51282/2jRE8oO/84qxkq/438956657
• Tweet 2: It’s not a red or blue issue. #ProtectOurPublicLands http://oia.outdoorindustry.org/e/51282/2jRE8oO/84qxkq/438956657
• Tweet 3: We strongly oppose any proposal that devalues or compromises the integrity of our nat’l public lands. —Biz Leaders: http://oia.outdoorindustry.org/e/51282/2jRE8oO/84qxkq/438956657
• Facebook: Business Leaders from the Outdoor Industry agree: Public lands should remain in public hands. Read the open letter now: http://oia.outdoorindustry.org/e/51282/2jRE8oO/84qxkq/438956657
• Add a photo to your social post: Father and son in forest or Mother and child in kayak.