ActiveBoulder Partners with Wildlands Restoration Volunteers to Rally the Outdoor and Fitness Industries for Help in Rebuilding Boulder County’s Trail Systems

October 9, 2013 – Boulder, CO – Today ActiveBoulder announced an effort to restore the Boulder County trail systems damaged by flooding through a partnership with Wildlands Restoration Volunteers. ActiveBoulder is a recently formed industry cluster group developed to support the outdoor, fitness and sporting goods industries in Boulder County, similar to Naturally Boulder. In the coming weeks and months, and possibly years, there will be a need to engage thousands of volunteers to repair trails and restore other natural areas impacted by the flood. In response to the need for trail restoration within the community, ActiveBoulder is rallying the support of the active Boulder companies in recruiting and deploying volunteers from their companies to rebuild Boulder’s recreational trails and open spaces that were severely affected by the flood.

In order to manage a large volunteer operation, there is a need for many Crew Leaders that are specifically trained to help lead restoration efforts. ActiveBoulder is asking all outdoor, fitness and sporting good companies in the Boulder area to consider sending at least one employee who would serve as an ambassador to be trained to become a Crew Leader. Most companies already sending individuals for Crew Leader training are considering the time as paid time for the individual even though it is volunteer service. ActiveBoulder asks other outdoor companies to consider doing the same.

“There are no companies better suited than ours to step up and help rebuild the recreation infrastructure in our beautiful but ravaged state. Ihope all of my active industry colleagues will send a crew leader candidate and a volunteer team to pitch in and do our part,” said Kim Coupounas, co-founder of GoLite and co-chairman of the ActiveBoulder flood relief efforts.

“We are very excited to be partnering with ActiveBoulder, a group that is so clearly aligned to help rebuild these once pristine outdoor spaces. Wildlands Restoration Volunteers and ActiveBoulder will be partnering with local land agencies such as the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks to pitch in on what is sure to be a multi-year endeavor,” said Ed Self, Executive Director of Wildlands Restoration Volunteers. “We’re in it for the long haul.”

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers has set their first ActiveBoulder Crew Leader training day for October 25th with a full volunteer service project to follow on October 26th.

“We’ve had an outpouring of support in the outdoor and active industries from people who want to help rebuild trails, but they’re not sure how to get started. ActiveBoulder is proud to create this great opportunity to give back to the community we love and restore the trails that make Boulder a mecca for the outdoor and fitness community,” stated Skirt Sports’ CEO Nicole DeBoom. “Let’s rise together to rebuild the outdoor recreational areas that support our businesses, motivate our employees and add to our community.”

TO REGISTER FOR CREW LEADER TRAINING ON OCT 25, Visit:

https://wlrv.net/index.php?section=events&action=list&type=trainings#event1293

Please select “ActiveBoulder,”group name when you register.

For inquires please email: info@activeboulder.org

Note: ActiveBoulder is also supporting the Boulder Outdoor Executive Series along with the Boulder Chamber and the Leeds Outdoor Industry Club. Check out the first talk of the series on October 24th for a presentation by John Sanchez, President of ZEAL Optics at the Boulder Chamber.

About ActiveBoulder:
ActiveBoulder is an industry association and advocacy group that promotes the growth and success of the outdoor, fitness, and sporting goods industries in Boulder County through advocacy, community, and service. Founded in 2005 and recently reformed, ActiveBoulder provides support by advocating for industry causes, creating platforms for networking, and supporting volunteer service opportunities that directly impact the health and vibrancy of our industries’ companies.

ActiveBoulder Organizing Committee: 
Chris Hazlitt, Bryan Cave LLP
Kim Coupounas, GoLite
Nicole DeBoom, Skirt Sports
Chelsea Lawson, Big Fish Media Group
Clif Harald, Boulder Chamber
Ed Self, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
Mike Lewis, ZEAL Optics
Jamie Starr, Spyder
Shelley Dunbar, Sea to Summit
Charlie Cooper, Leisure Trends
Rob Linde, Eldora
Gary Gomulinski, Vectra Bank
Megan Mulligan, SNEWS
Kate Rau, Colorado High School Cycling League
Chris Sword, Salewa
Lucas Hartley, University of Colorado Outdoor Club
Beverly Gholson, GoLite

Advisors:
Frank Hugelmeyer, Outdoor Industry Association
John Tayer, Boulder Chamber of Commerce
Lynn Guissinger, Catalyst Communications, Inc.
Ed Self, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
Jennelle Freeston, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks
Kristin Weinberger, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks