Archives: Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 19, 2024) — Following a 10-year advocacy campaign to modernize outdoor recreation policy, today the U.S. Senate passed by unanimous consent the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, a first-of-its-kind bipartisan package that improves outdoor recreation on America’s public lands and waters. The EXPLORE Act passed the U.S. House earlier this year. It will now go to the president’s desk for signature.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the passage of the EXPLORE Act today,” said Adam Cramer, CEO of Outdoor Alliance, one of the organizations that envisioned and advocated for the EXPLORE Act. “We are deeply grateful to the many champions of outdoor recreation who made this possible, including Senator Manchin, Senator Barrasso, Representative Westerman, and Senator Wyden, whose leadership laid the groundwork for this recreation package. The EXPLORE Act will significantly enhance outdoor recreation on our public lands, which is especially vital as participation continues to grow each year.”

“The passage of EXPLORE sends a clear message that outdoor recreation and our public lands are bipartisan priorities,” Cramer said. “Signing this bill into law represents a meaningful investment in our shared outdoor heritage and the vibrant outdoor recreation economy it sustains. We look forward to continuing to advocate for the protection and enhancement of outdoor recreation and public lands for generations to come. And we are very grateful to members of the public who took the time and effort to let their representatives know how important it was to them to pass this meaningful legislation. That helped make the difference.”

Highlights of the bill include:

• The Biking on Long Distance Trails Act (BOLT Act) identifies and creates more long-distance bike trails
• The Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act (PARC Act) safeguards Wilderness climbing
• The Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act (SOAR Act) improves recreational permitting for outfitters and guides
• Codifies FICOR and the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership, which funds parks and green spaces in neighborhoods that need it most

A new report released recently from the  U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows outdoor recreation in the U.S. generating $1.2 trillion in economic output (2.3% of GDP) and 5 million jobs. With outdoor participation growing, the EXPLORE Act will take important steps to expand and improve outdoor recreation opportunities, including improving access, creating more trails, and protecting the outdoors.

“As outdoor recreation grows in popularity, we need more tools to get people outside safely and responsibly. The EXPLORE Act will streamline the federal recreational permitting process to enable more people to experience the outdoors through organized group experiences facilitated by outdoor leaders and educators,” said Tom Vogl, CEO of The Mountaineers. “The Mountaineers is thrilled to see Congress pass the EXPLORE Act, and is grateful to Representative Westerman and Senators Manchin and Barrasso for their leadership to help connect more people to their public lands and waters.”

To learn more about Outdoor Alliance and their work, please visit www.outdooralliance.org.

About Outdoor Alliance

Outdoor Alliance is the only organization in the U.S. that unites the voices of outdoor enthusiasts to conserve public lands. A nonprofit coalition comprised of 10 national advocacy organizations, Outdoor Alliance’s members include American Whitewater, American Canoe Association, Access Fund, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Winter Wildlands Alliance, the Mountaineers, the American Alpine Club, the Mazamas, the Colorado Mountain Club, and the Surfrider Foundation. By working with its member coalitions and helping mobilize the involvement of individuals to protect public lands and waters, OA helps ensure public lands are managed in a way that embraces the human-powered experience. Outdoor Alliance — conservation powered by outdoor recreation. Learn more at OutdoorAlliance.org.

 

##

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (December 17, 2024) — Moultrie, the leading innovator in trail camera and feeder technology, embarked on a unique employee experience with its first-ever “Field to Fork” event, hosted in partnership with the National Deer Association (NDA), designed to introduce first-time hunters to the art and tradition of deer hunting.

The event featured six first-time hunters from the company’s staff, who were each paired with an experienced hunter serving as a mentor. Mentors consisted of Moultrie and NDA employees, ensuring a supportive introduction to hunting, emphasizing conservation, skill development, and outdoor engagement. The “Field to Fork” event represents Moultrie’s commitment to outdoor education and creating meaningful experiences in the field. By offering this opportunity, Moultrie and the NDA hope to foster a deeper understanding of hunting as a conservation tool and a time-honored outdoor tradition.

“This is more than just a hunting trip,” said Mark Olis, Senior Brand Communications Manager at Moultrie. “It’s an immersive experience where Moultrie employees get to put themselves in the customer’s boots. They get the full experience of hunt planning, marksmanship, scouting, and the adrenaline rush of seeing their first deer while hunting. It’s instrumental for our team to connect their professional work to the hunter who relies on our products in the field.”

“Introducing people to deer hunting through the motivation of sourcing local, organic, and healthy meat is part of our mission at the National Deer Association,” said Jenifer Wisniewski, Chief Marketing Officer at the National Deer Association. “We were so excited to get to take out people that work for hunters and introduce them to the sport that they work to support. Getting to sit in the woods with a software engineer who had never seen the sunrise from the woods is so rewarding. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Moultrie to support hunters.”

The “Field to Fork” program is designed to teach adult non-hunters how to go afield and source their protein while promoting sustainable hunting practices. Through this event, first-time hunters learned essential skills, including hunting techniques, ethical practices, and the importance of conservation, while experiencing the camaraderie and excitement of hunt camp. Moultrie is a proud partner with the NDA and working together on a common goal like this only advances the relationship. There are already plans to team up and make this an annual event.

“The Field to Fork event was an incredible experience,” said Katherine Nance, Product Associate at Moultrie. “From the very start of the weekend hunt, it became clear just how unique and special this opportunity was. I’m so grateful to Jenifer Wisniewski and the National Deer Association for their efforts in facilitating this experience and to the mentors at Moultrie for their patience and dedication. I learned so much about hunting whitetail deer, from the science behind it, the skills needed to be successful, and the strong sense of community that makes it such an incredible tradition.”

Moultrie’s dedication to the outdoors extends beyond technology—it’s about fostering a culture of stewardship and respect for nature. This event underscores the company’s mission to inspire more people to engage responsibly with the great outdoors. To learn more about Moultrie, its products, and its values, visit www.moultrieproducts.com.

###

About Moultrie

Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Moultrie is the leader in deer feeders and cellular trail camera innovation, building products used by hunters, property owners, and others for real-time remote monitoring. Moultrie is a business unit of PRADCO Outdoor Brands. PRADCO’s hunting brands include Ani-Logics, Whitetail Institute, Texas Hunter, Summit, Knight & Hale, and Code Blue. PRADCO Fishing manufactures and markets products for freshwater and saltwater anglers under 20+ brands, including Rebel, YUM, BOOYAH, War Eagle Custom Lures, Great Lakes Finesse, and Bomber.

 

 

 

SALT LAKE CITY (Dec. 11, 2024) — DPS Skis, the U.S.-based ski manufacturer known for pioneering aerospace-grade carbon technology, announces Pisteworks®, a dramatic redefinition of the alpine carving ski. Pisteworks® represents the first, full carbon fiber on-piste ski from the carbon ski experts, DPS. The characteristics of carbon—lively recovery, efficient energy transfer and tremendous durability—are ideal for a high-performance carving ski. Pisteworks® utilizes premium proprietary carbon fibers and when combined with state-of-the-art lab and on-snow testing, these skis push the boundaries of high-performance carving ski design, manufacturing, and performance.

“For decades, frontside carving skis have relied on metal and fiberglass in the construction for stability and comfort. Our goal was to challenge this norm by delivering the same stability with carbon while also utilizing carbon’s inherent agility,” says Thomas Laakso, Senior Vice President at DPS Skis. “Carbon represents the pinnacle of performance material in every other high-performance application and carving skis are no different.”

An extremely limited release of the first Pisteworks® model, the Pisteworks® 79, is available today for pre-order in 160, 167, 174 and 181cm lengths at https://www.dpsskis.com/products/pisteworks-79, shipping in February 2025. The Pisteworks® 79 comes standard with the revolutionary base treatment, PHANTOM Glide, that provides a permanent snow-glide solution without wax. Pre-ordering the 13.5 meter turn radius Pisteworks® 79 is the only way to guarantee early delivery for this ski season. Additional Pisteworks® models will be available ahead of the 2025/2026 ski season.

The new Pisteworks® carving skis were developed utilizing both static lab testing and dynamic, on-snow data acquisition to fine-tune ski performance throughout every turn. Four-time Olympian and World Cup ski champion, Ted Ligety, spearheaded design and testing for the Pisteworks® skis. DPS also engaged the world’s preeminent carbon fiber lab to enhance its already-proven carbon fiber technologies used in its all-mountain, powder and touring skis.

“Skis that can handle high G-Force turns while maintaining maximum traction and responsive feel have always been the goal of high-performance carving skis,” says Ted Ligety, DPS Ski’s Head of Product Performance. “By analyzing real-time data during turns and optimizing the feedback loop, we’ve developed a ski that delivers a planted yet thrilling ride throughout the entire turn.” To learn more about Pisteworks®, please visit https://www.dpsskis.com/products/pisteworks-79. For more information on DPS, contact account manager Ryan Silven at ryan.silven@rygr.us

About DPS Skis:

Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah, DPS designs the world’s most advanced ski products by fusing space-age carbon technology with groundbreaking shapes. DPS is responsible for the world’s first and only pure pre-impregnated carbon fiber sandwich ski, the first 120mm-waisted powder pintail, the first rockered ski with sidecut, and PHANTOM, a paradigm-shifting permanent, one-time application base-coating that forever eliminates the need for waxing skis and snowboards. DPS products are sold on five continents and are the trusted brand of choice for serious skiers worldwide. www.dpsskis.com

Media Contact:

Ryan Silven Ryan.silven@rygr.us

970-924-0704 ext. 2114

Morrisville, Vt. (Dec. 11, 2024) – In support of its new brand platform, “Step Outside Your Shell”, outdoor headwear and accessories brand Turtle Fur has launched an interactive campaign to demonstrate how personal growth is tied to stepping out of your comfort zone. The campaign will elevate the voices of those who have gained new life perspectives by stepping into the unknown, and support others in challenging their limitations.

“To step outside your shell requires courage and moxie: to work through the fear, the doubt, the apprehension, and get to the joy and transformative benefit on the other side,” explains Erika Canfield, Vice President of Marketing at Turtle Fur. “That human journey is the same for everyone whether you’re a seasoned skier hucking your first cliff, or a city-dweller hiking for the first time. Our Step Outside Your Shell platform and campaign celebrates this, and we hope it inspires more people to step outside their shells.”

Turtle Fur partnered with Seattle-based creative agency OkayBro to shape the campaign’s bold vision. With the creative talents of Producer Kesshann Cortez and Director Giovanni Reda, the campaign developed into a powerful visual story celebrating the transformative power of embracing new experiences.

As part of the campaign, Turtle Fur will also collaborate with longtime partners Vermont Adaptive and Share Winter Foundation, which embody the mentality of Step Outside Your Shell by making outdoor adventure more widely accessible. Turtle Fur will highlight the programming, participants, volunteers, and staff behind each organization throughout the campaign.

The campaign also includes a Winter Adventure Kit Giveaway to equip one lucky winner with the tools they need to feel comfortable enough in their body and environment to try something new in pursuit of personal growth. Turtle Fur is also hosting a scholarship, awarding $5,000 to one lucky winner. The winner will be selected based on their essay submission detailing how they would use the award to step outside their shell and overcome personal obstacles.

The Winter Adventure Kit Giveaway runs from December 11 through December 22 on Turtle Fur’s website, www.turtlefur.com, with a winner selected on December 23. Applications for the Step Outside Your Shell Scholarship will open in early 2025.

About Turtle Fur:
Since 1982 Turtle Fur has been a leading headwear and accessories brand in the outdoor, snow sports, and lifestyle markets. Their mission is to create sustainable solutions for every body that feel great, in every element, built for a life lived outside. As a Certified B Corp™, Turtle Fur is committed to using business as a force for positive change. For more information, visit www.turtlefur.com and follow them on social media @turtlefur.

SALT LAKE CITY – December 11, 2024 – Black Diamond Equipment®, a global leader in climbing, skiing, and mountain sports apparel and equipment, establishes the first-ever benchmarks for recycled aluminum content in climbing hardware and trekking poles via verification from UL Solutions. This initiative demonstrates that Black Diamond’s sustainability claims meet the highest industry standards and are independently validated.

As part of Black Diamond’s ambitious sustainability goals for 2030, the company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 50% and ensuring that 50% of its products are made from preferred materials, including recycled and regenerative fibers. By working with UL Solutions, Black Diamond takes its first step toward reducing the environmental impact of aluminum, the company’s most used material in their hardgoods manufacturing. Black Diamond’s aluminum-based hardgoods, including carabiners and trekking poles, currently make up approximately 10% of its total carbon footprint from raw materials.

“We’ve been pursuing a palpable reduction in our carbon footprint as a part of our overarching sustainability initiative,” said Neil Fiske, President of Black Diamond Equipment. “Replacing raw material with recycled material wherever possible plays a large role in shrinking that footprint. The verification from UL Solutions substantiates our efforts.”

Leading the Outdoor Industry with Recycled Content Verification

Black Diamond’s verification from UL Solutions sets a new standard for sustainability in the outdoor industry. Using the UL Environmental Claim Validation Procedure for Recycled Content (ECVP 2809-2), UL Solutions has verified that 25% of our proprietary BD7075 aluminum alloy billet contains pre-consumer recycled aluminum. Black Diamond uses this aluminum in all carabiners.

Additionally, UL Solutions has validated the amount of recycled aluminum content in our trekking poles, one of the company’s largest hardgoods categories:

• Trail, Trail Cork, and Trail Back Trekking Poles: Certified by UL Solutions to contain 30% pre-consumer recycled aluminum, with a minimum of 14% recycled content by total finished weight.
• Pursuit FLZ, Distance FLZ, and Distance Z Trekking Poles: Certified by UL Solutions to contain 30% pre-consumer recycled aluminum, with a minimum of 16% recycled content by finished weight.

By integrating recycled aluminum into these products, Black Diamond reduces its annual consumption of virgin aluminum by approximately 88 tons. Despite using recycled materials, the company continues to maintain its high standards for product quality, strength, and durability.

A Path Toward Circularity and Sustainability

This milestone is just one part of Black Diamond’s broader sustainability efforts. The company recognizes the challenges of achieving true circularity in hardgoods but remains committed to taking incremental steps in that direction. Products featuring the

UL Solutions Environmental Claim Validation Mark will begin reaching consumers by Q1 2025.

To further support its sustainability efforts, Black Diamond is also extending product lifespans by designing its trekking poles to be more easily repairable. A new spare parts program will also launch in early 2025, making it easier for customers to maintain their gear and reduce waste. Additionally, the company plans to launch an end-of-life recycling program for trekking poles and metallic climbing equipment, with the goal of creating new aluminum products from directly recycled materials—another industry first.

Fiske continued, “This is just the beginning. Our work with UL Solutions is a critical step in reducing our reliance on virgin materials and lowering our carbon footprint. We’re committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainability in the outdoor industry, and we hope our efforts inspire others to do the same.”

About Black Diamond Equipment

Black Diamond Equipment is a global leader in designing innovative outdoor-engineered equipment and apparel for climbing, skiing, and a wide range of other year-round outdoor activities. Headquartered in Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Black Diamond is synonymous with performance, innovation, and durability in the outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond Equipment, visit www.blackdiamondequipment.com.