Introducing the 2019 Granite Gear Grounds Keeper Team & Sponsors
Granite Gear is proud to announce additional sponsorship for the Grounds Keepers from Altra, Klean Kanteen, Backpacker’s Bistro, Recover Brands and Kula Cloth.
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Two Harbors, MN — March 15, 2019 — When trash is in our wild places, it’s every person’s responsibility – and the Granite Gear Grounds Keepers will lead the way! Staying true to its mission of bringing a diverse team committed to cleaning up our wild places, the Grounds Keepers program kicks off its third year cleaning up trails and parks around the country. This year, in addition to trails and parks, the Grounds Keepers will focus on lakes and waterways. Also new to the program this year is the addition of four brand sponsors, supporting the team with high quality gear and food.
For the second year, Altra Running is sponsoring the Grounds Keeper team with a generous donation of two pairs of shoes and gaiters. Granite Gear is proud to announce additional sponsorship for the Grounds Keepers from Klean Kanteen, Backpacker’s Bistro, Recover Brands and Kula Cloth. Each Grounds Keeper is outfitted with one of four ultralight Granite Gear backpacks, two stuff sacks, a dump trunk, a scale and gloves, two pairs of Altra Running shoes and one pair of gaiters, a Klean Kanteen custom Grounds Keeper water bottle, five food packets from Backpacker’s Bistro, apparel from Recover Brand and a Kula Cloth.
Out of hundreds of applicants, the following team members were chosen based on their passion for the outdoors, their clean up location and their outdoor experience. With the collective goal to remove as much trash as possible, team members include: Gabriella Allen, Tim Barton, Jason Batson, Marissa Bluestein, Austin Breen, Ethan Brown, Perry Cohen of Venture Out Project, Tyler Davidson, Kate Emmons, Alexa Everson, Britany Freeman of 11 Essential, Patrick Ganpath, Christina Hickman, Josh Johnson, Michelle Martin, Katie Martinez, Chris Mejia, Lance Ness, Aaron Oschea of Midwest Color Camp, Zach Rohe, Deirdre Rosenberg, Sunshine State Seekers Chelsey Warren and Chris Stevens, Jen Theisen, Patrick Thoits, Agnes Vianzon of Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps, Quang Vo, Doug Walters, Alex Wehrle, Thea Wingert.

“The Grounds Keepers program is a community of folx who respect the outdoors and want to do their part to care for our wild places,” said Granite Gear’s General Manager, Rob Coughlin. “We’re so excited that we’ve found brand sponsors who feel that same way and have joined us to better outfit the team members this year. Big thanks to Altra, Klean Kanteen, Backpacker’s Bistro, Recover Brands and Kula Cloth.”
Since 2017, the Grounds Keepers members have removed 5,288.97 pounds of trash from trails and parks around the country. To keep up with #TheGroundsKeepers and learn about past and present Grounds Keepers (#GroundsKeeper4Life), visit https://www.thegroundskeepers.org and follow along on Instagram @TheGroundsKeepers. Granite Gear (@GraniteGear) and all brand partners will be sharing stories from Grounds Keepers often.
For more information on the Grounds Keepers program or sponsors, please email Shelly at Shelly@GraniteGear.com.
About Granite Gear
For 33 years, Granite Gear has brought cutting-edge products to the outdoor marketplace. Their award-winning backpacks, adventure travel gear, extensive variety of storage sacks, lifestyle accessories, and canoe gear offer excellence in design and construction. Granite Gear’s desire is for all outdoor enthusiasts and travelers to experience the incredible durability and comfort of their products. Located in Northern Minnesota, just minutes from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Superior Hiking Trail, they have a rugged and beautiful testing ground for their products. You can find out more about Granite Gear on their site, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat.