Type: OIA Press Room

Historic Conservation Law Will Boost Outdoor Access, Economic Recovery

BOULDER, Colo. – The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and its 1,200 member businesses today celebrated the ‘Great American Outdoors Act’ being enacted into law after President Trump signed the bipartisan legislation. This historic conservation bill will provide $900 million in annual funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and address the nearly $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog on federal public lands.

“Making the ‘Great American Outdoors Act’ law accomplishes what the outdoor industry has always endeavored to do – support thousands of jobs, open up access to outdoor areas for more people, and give local communities more tools to thrive economically,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of OIA. “This achievement is all the more important in today’s environment as it will bring much-needed hope back to communities and businesses reliant on outdoor recreation.

“As many Americans are coming to more deeply understand the benefits the outdoors can provide, a solid federal infrastructure for our nation’s parks and waterways is essential. The outdoor industry could not be more pleased this vital, bipartisan piece of legislation was signed into law.”

In addition to receiving bipartisan support from members of both the House and Senate, several former U.S. secretaries of the Interior also expressed their support.

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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 1,200 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.

BOULDER, Colo. – Executive director of the Outdoor Industry Association, Lise Aangeenbrug, today made the following statement after the House Committee on Natural Resources advanced long-awaited legislation to streamline regulations impeding access to outdoor recreation: 

“Reducing regulatory red tape and streamlining permits will help Americans access our public lands and waterways more easily, as well as boost local tourism. Advancing this legislation is especially important for the thousands of businesses and millions of employees who are part of the outdoor economy, many of whom need additional support to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The last several months have demonstrated just how much people depend on outdoor recreation for health and wellness. Now is the right time to come together to pass legislation that would meaningfully improve the outdoor experience and bolster an industry with an outsized role in our nation’s GDP. Congress would do well to bring the ‘SOAR Act’ to the House floor without delay.” 

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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. 

Outdoor Industry Calls on President Trump to Sign Proposal Into Law

 

BOULDER, Colo. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Great American Outdoors Act” (GAOA) by a vote of 310-107, approving $900 million in annual funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and addressing the nearly $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog on federal public lands. Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and its 1,300 member businesses celebrated the House’s passage of the bipartisan bill, which passed the Senate last month and is now headed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

“Today’s historic vote is the culmination of years of hard work by OIA and many businesses and organizations coming together to protect and expand access to America’s outdoors,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of OIA. “This legislation has the added benefits of providing local communities a much-needed economic boost; creating thousands of jobs; and opening up access to parks, trails and waterways across the country.”

“The historic and bipartisan passage of the Great American Outdoors Act highlights the power of the outdoors to unite our country. As a nation, we need to adopt bold policies that provide recreation opportunities for those that lack them, conserve more lands and waters to meet growing demand and protect and strengthen the lands and waters that are already managed by federal agencies,” said Eric Artz, REI Co-op president and CEO. “The Great American Outdoors Act is historic legislation that will accomplish these goalsl, while connecting more people to outdoor recreation by creating more quality opportunities close to home. This legislation makes a strong commitment to increased recreation access, bridges our political divides and supports the economy.”

The bill received bipartisan support from members of Congress, stakeholders and former elected officials as it made its way through Congress. Specifically, it was sponsored by Representative Joe Cunningham, D-S.C., and cosponsored by more than 210 members of the House. GAOA also received the support of the past six former U.S. secretaries of the Interior, including Ryan Zinke and Sally Jewell.

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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.

BOULDER, Colo. July 21, 2020 – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), in partnership with Utah State University (USU) and Western Colorado University (WCU), is proud to launch select courses from the first-of-its-kind Outdoor Industry Business Certificate (OIBC) program. The OIBC offers a suite of continuing education certificates tailored to outdoor industry professionals and those looking to start a career in the outdoor industry. The launch was expedited in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has taken a toll on the outdoor industry job market. Courses are being offered at a significantly reduced price through the end of the year.

“Outdoor Industry Association is dedicated to supporting our members and the industry through these difficult times, and we saw launching these courses ahead of schedule as one way to do that,” said Kristen Freaney, director of the emerging leaders programs at OIA. “We know that layoffs, furloughs, a changing job landscape, and a more competitive job market are a few of the challenging economic impacts of COVID-19. The ability to upskill or re-skill at an affordable price is critical for people who are trying to enter, find a new role in, or adapt to changing demands in the outdoor industry workforce.”

Utah State University is offering a certificate in Sustainable Product Design and Supply Chain. Faculty from USU’s cutting-edge Outdoor Product Design and Development (OPDD) program, many with outdoor industry work experience, will teach courses on the circular economy, integrating sustainability into business practices, creative team dynamics and sustainable supply chain strategies. Students who complete the program will gain fluency in current sustainability issues impacting the outdoor industry. The first two courses available for enrollment beginning today include “Transitioning Toward a More Circular Economy” and “Integration of Sustainability Into Business Practices.” The remaining two courses in the USU certificate will be available in fall 2020.

“We are excited to be able to bring this certificate and the body of knowledge it represents to the outdoor industry through the collaborative efforts and partnership of USU and OIA. This opportunity is bringing the best parts of academia, industry experience and multidisciplinary collaboration together to develop relevant content that can help those both in and out of industry to drive real change,” said Dr. Andrew Deceuster, associate professor and program director at Utah State University’s Outdoor Product Design and Development program.

The Western Colorado University Outdoor Industry Business Certificate will focus on responsible business in the outdoor industry. Faculty from Western’s Outdoor Industry MBA program, the first and only outdoor-focused MBA program in the country, will teach courses in marketing and brand strategy, leadership, bringing socially responsible products to market and understanding and integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in the workplace. Students in this program will develop their ability to innovate, think strategically, and lead the application of business tools for creating meaningful impact in the outdoor industry. Courses available for enrollment beginning today include “Refine Your Unique Leadership Style” and “Marketing and Brand Strategy in the Outdoor Industry.” The remaining two courses in the WCU certificate will be available in Fall 2020.

“We are proud to partner with OIA and deliver courses to further refine responsible business practices in our industry. It is vital that we all support each other in these challenging times. said Dr. D. Scott Borden, director, Outdoor Industry MBA, assistant professor in the School of Business at Western Colorado University. “We hope participants will gain new skills to accelerate their careers, investing in themselves and our outdoor communities.”

Both certificates in the OIBC suite are composed of four, non-credit courses, each led by experienced university faculty. Courses are online and self-paced, so working professionals can participate anytime from anywhere on a flexible completion schedule. There are no required prerequisites for the certificates. Those who are interested in the certificates should bring a sense of curiosity, a willingness to learn and a desire to make outdoor companies more sustainable and the world a better place.

Learn more about OIA, Outdoor Industry Business Certificates and the partner universities here.

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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 and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. 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.

Congressional Action is an Essential Step Toward a Thriving Planet

BOULDER, Colo. – Today, the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) commended the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis for releasing its action plan to solve the climate crisis. The goal of the roadmap is to “build a prosperous, clean energy economy that values workers, advances environmental justice, and is prepared to meet the challenges of the climate crisis.”

“We applaud these members of Congress for putting forth a plan to tackle an imminent risk to our planet and our way of life with aggressive but attainable goals,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of OIA. “The outdoor industry is all too familiar with the devastating impacts of climate change. Through OIA’s Climate Action Corps and a Climate Policy Committee, we are committed to fighting climate change on two fronts: Through sustainable business practices and annual reporting designed to reduce our industry’s carbon footprint and through advocacy to help shape meaningful climate policy. It is essential for us to work together with policymakers and other stakeholders to provide a sustainable, thriving planet for generations to come.”

More than 80 outdoor companies, including The North Face, Patagonia and Nemo Equipment, have joined the OIA Climate Action Corps. In so doing, they have committed to measure their carbon footprints, set aggressive emission goals, make reduction plans and share their progress publicly every year. In tandem, the Climate Policy Committee, which includes representatives from VF Corporation, Burton, Columbia, Klean Kanteen, Orvis, W.L. Gore, and REI, is working to develop climate policy priorities that reflect the industry’s commitments and guide the advocacy work of the Climate Action Corps and the broader outdoor industry.

In a letter sent to congressional leaders in May, OIA and more than 60 companies asked lawmakers to prioritize policies to reduce carbon emissions in any transportation, energy, and infrastructure provisions they consider as part of COVID-19 economic recovery efforts.

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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.

Bill Permanently Funds Land and Water Conservation Fund, Deferred Maintenance Backlog

BOULDER, Colo. – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and its 1,300 member businesses today celebrated the Senate’s passage of the bipartisan “Great American Outdoors Act” (GAOA). Specifically, the bill provides mandatory, permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at $900 million a year and addresses the nearly $20 billion deferred maintenance backlog on federal public lands. The bill now awaits action by the U.S House of Representatives.

“As the country takes steps toward economic recovery from COVID-19, federal investment in our public lands and waterways are critical to boost local economies, create thousands of jobs and protect and improve our national parks,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of OIA. “These investments would also increase community access to nearby parks and trails, helping address gaps between where people live and nearby opportunities. In turn, more Americans will benefit from the health and well-being that parks and trails provide.”

“Permanent federal investment in the Land and Water Conservation Fund is an essential part of stimulating recovery here in Montana and across the United States,” said Casey Sheahan, CEO of Simms Fishing Products. “Simms and the entire outdoor industry are working to foster happy, healthy and thriving families, despite the obstacles, but it requires resources like those provided through the Great American Outdoors Act to support the increase in people who are spending time outdoors.”

The bill received broad bipartisan support from legislators and stakeholders. It was sponsored by Senators Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and cosponsored by Senators Steve Daines, R-Mont.; Angus King, I-Maine; Mark Warner, D-Va.; Rob Portman, R-Ohio; Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; Richard Burr, R-N.C.; and 51 other senators. GAOA also received the endorsement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the past six former U.S. secretaries of the interior, including Ryan Zinke and Sally Jewell. The bill would also direct much-needed funding to support Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools, with as much as $475 million being provided over the next five years.

To learn more about the Great American Outdoors Act, click here.

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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.

Letter to Congress Outlines Steps to Encourage Economic Recovery and Help Americans Thrive Outside

BOULDER, Colo. – May 11, 2020 – Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and over 60 industry companies today sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to consider the critical role of America’s public lands and outdoor recreation in upcoming legislative proposals to aid the nation’s economic recovery. Specifically, the letter outlines policies that would aid the recovery of the outdoor recreation economy, which supports 7.6 million jobs, thousands of local businesses and an essential economic force representing 2.2 percent of the nation’s GDP.

“The outdoor recreation economy is a force, connecting people to the outdoors and providing jobs in all 50 states. We are doing everything we can to support people across our country who are increasingly turning to the outdoors to support their physical health and mental wellbeing, but we cannot fully recover without help from Congress,” said Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of Outdoor Industry Association. “Behind the millions of jobs and billions in tax revenue created by the outdoor recreation industry are businesses small and large and their employees, local communities and families that depend on a strong network of public lands. Federal investment in recreation infrastructure is needed now to ensure families, businesses and the great outdoors can all thrive.”

In the letter sent to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the outdoor industry leaders wrote, “As we look to recovery in the months ahead, more needs to be done to help our communities and the outdoor industry recover from the current economic shock through investments in recreation infrastructure which will provide more opportunities for all Americans to get outside. The last few weeks have shown that millions of Americans depend upon outdoor recreation opportunities for health and wellness. Now more than ever, we need the mental and physical health benefits that getting outside can provide. Investing in outdoor infrastructure as part of our economic recovery efforts will provide a powerful return for all Americans.”

Specifically, the letter urges Congress to do the following:

• Pass the Great American Outdoors Act, bipartisan legislation which will strengthen local economies by providing permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and funding for the maintenance backlog across federal public lands
• Streamline permitting, as included in the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act (H.R. 787/S. 1665) and the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act (H.R. 3458/S. 1967), to help reignite local tourism by removing the red tape faced by guided adventure companies and outfitters
• Prioritize active transportationfunding, such as the Transportation Alternatives Program and the Recreational Trails Program, to provide people with safe, environmentally sensitive and low-cost forms of transportation and recreation
• Increase funding and expand the Civilian Conservation Corps to address rising unemployment while restoring and stewarding our public lands
• Provide funding to states and local municipalities for building parks, trails and other outdoor recreation amenities in underserved and under-resourced communities to address the need for ongoing public local services amidst significantly declining state and local tax revenues
• Prioritize policies to reduce carbon emissions in any transportation, energy and infrastructure provisions to help mitigate the worst impacts of future natural disasters and protect places to recreate for future generations

More details about these provisions are outlined in the letter.

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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.