Choose Outdoors secures major grant from USDA Forest Service

Building on the successes of last year’s partnership with the US Forest Service, Choose Outdoors will expand its work developing strategic alliances with the Forest Service and private sector partners from Alaska to Maine.

Choose Outdoors, a nonprofit coalition of outdoor recreation community members, is focused on increasing support for the US Forest Service Recreation program by working with Outdoor Industry leaders like SNEWS, The North Face, Outside Magazine, REI, and numerous other partners from outside the industry.

In the coming year Choose Outdoors will be expanding its Outdoor Networks, statewide coalitions similar to the California Recreation Roundtable and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Resource Project; assisting with national outdoor celebrations like National Get Outdoors Day and supporting Youth Congresses in Wyoming and Colorado.

According to Choose Outdoors Bruce Ward, “There has never been a better opportunity to get our message out. The Outdoor Industry Association has done a remarkable job of raising the profile of the economic and health benefits of the outdoors. We have a number of strong allies in the Obama administration, on the Hill and and in the land management agencies. Our country is in dire need of the solace that comes from time spent in the great outdoors.It is now up to all of us who have benefited from our experiences in our natural lands to step up to the plate and help.Windows of opportunity like this don’t stay open for ever.”