Boulder, Colo. — Today, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and 28 of its member companies sent a letter to President Biden asserting their support of and commitment to establishing a national goal to conserve at least 30 percent of our nation’s lands and waters by the year 2030 (30×30).
As president-elect, Biden announced that 30×30 would be among his priorities in his first 100 days in office. The outdoor industry, led by OIA, worked closely with the Biden-Harris transition team prior to the inauguration to identify the levers it is uniquely positioned to pull in order to meet the 30×30 goal while simultaneously driving America’s economic recovery with a focus on equity and sustainability.
“For 165 years, Orvis, our customers, and our partners have built our lives around enjoying, sharing, and protecting the habitats and ecosystems that keep us deeply connected to the outdoors,” says Orvis President Simon Perkins. “The 30×30 initiative is a vital and powerful commitment to ensure a sustainable natural world — one where outdoor passions for all can flourish and continue to be passed down from generation to generation. With so many people turning to the outdoors, this is the opportunity for policy makers, knowledge experts, businesses, and the outdoor community to come together and succeed in the greatest conservation effort of our time.”
“Patagonia is in business to save our home planet,” says Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert. “That is our mission, and it drives every decision we make and reflects our company values. President Biden’s 30×30 executive order reflects what we believe is also a treasured American value: nature conservation and climate action that is inclusive of and equitable toward all people. We applaud this executive action, and we look forward to working with the Biden administration to protect more lands and waters, keep our air and water clean and our climate stable.”
“Outdoor Industry Association works on behalf of our member companies, their consumers, and their communities to advocate for and to create thriving businesses, a thriving planet, and opportunities in which all people can thrive outside,” says OIA Executive Director Lise Aangeenbrug. “The global pandemic has put a fine point on why we need nature, not only as a buffer from the spread of viruses but also as places for respite, recreation, reflection, and safe gathering. Our industry is uniquely impacted by threats to nature and also uniquely positioned to help address them, and we look forward to working with businesses and policymakers to safeguard America’s proud heritage of nature stewardship.”
In the letter, the signatories note that success will only result if all levels of government engage and if all voices — including tribal nations, private landowners, outdoor recreation interests, historically underserved communities, and scientists, work together. You can read the full letter here.
#####
About the Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves 1300 manufacturer, supplier, sales representative and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation and outdoor participation. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org.
