National, International Organizations to receive Royal Robbins Award

What– The First Annual Royal Robbins Awards to recognize organizations for their efforts to connect Americans to the land and instill an appreciation of our natural environment so future generations will have the opportunity to experience the outdoors. The awards are named in honor of Royal Robbins, world renowned adventurer and Choose Outdoors founding board member.

When– Friday, February 27, 6 pm

Where– The Farm in Boulder, 5908 Jay Road Map

Who – The awards are being presented by Choose Outdoors, a new coalition for public lands and outdoor recreation. Award recipients are International Mountain Bicycling Association, SOS Outreach, National Get Outdoors Day, Thorne Ecological Institute, BOLD – Building On Life’s Disappointments, Leave No Trace, Family Learning Center, Colorado Youth Program and USDA Forest Service.

Why – America’s public lands are an invaluable resource, providing recreational opportunities that support mental and physical health, and thousands of jobs. The organizations being honored connect people with the land and promote sustainable recreation and stewardship. Without help from citizens, nonprofits and business, the federal, state and local agencies managing our lands are struggling with decreasing resources to maintain the land and recreational infrastructure.

It is through the work of organizations like these being honored, in partnership with land managers and ordinary citizens, that healthy outdoor experiences will be passed to future generations.

Media – Members of the media are invited to attend the awards reception and report on a subject that affects millions of Americans. Prominent members of the outdoor community will be available for interviews and photos. Please contact Bruce Ward – 303-917-1476 for more information and to RSVP.

About Choose Outdoors – Choose Outdoors is a nonprofit coalition formed to promote outdoor recreation and active lifestyles through support for public lands and waters; recreation infrastructure; and programs connecting Americans to the outdoors. Visit www.chooseoutdoors.org for more information on partners and initiatives.

About the Honorees –

IMBA-The International Mountain Bicycling Association is a nonprofit educational association whose mission is to create, enhance and preserve great trail experiences for mountain bikers worldwide. Since 1988, IMBA has been bringing out the best in mountain biking by encouraging low-impact riding, volunteer trailwork participation, cooperation among different trail user groups, grassroots advocacy and innovative trail management solutions.

SOS Outreach-SOS Outreach was founded in 1993 in Colorado’s Vail Valley. As a nonprofit organization, its programs build character and self-esteem in youth through outdoor activities and the SOS curriculum. SOS is on pace to serve more than 5,000 youth across the nation in 2008-2009. In winter months, SOS students learn to ski and snowboard, and in warmer months our adult mentors will take students rock climbing, backpacking, camping and hiking.

National Get Outdoors Day– National Get Outdoors Day is a new annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun. Participating partners will offer opportunities for American families to experience traditional and non-traditional types of outdoor activities. Prime goals of the day are reaching first-time visitors to public lands and reconnecting our youth to the great outdoors.

Thorne Ecological– Thorne Ecological Institute was founded in 1954 by Dr. Oakleigh Thorne, II when he was a graduate student in Biology at the University of Colorado. Over its five decades, the Institute has reached over 175,000 people through hands-on Environmental Education programs. The emphasis has been on the teaching of Ecological Principles. Since 1957, Thorne has been a leader in “connecting kids to nature,” through the Thorne Natural Science School (TNSS), exciting outdoor field trip classes in Natural History; Project BEAR (Building Environmental Awareness and Respect), the Institute’s unique In-School program; the Sombrero Marsh Environmental Education Center program; and the Thorne at Waterton Canyon program.

Bold- Building On Life’s Disappointments is a project designed by several Colorado-based philanthropists which offers hope and opportunity to young people whose lives have been directly impacted by natural disasters. BOLD is a Colorado Based Program specifically designed to offer hope and inspiration to children and young adults residing in the Gulf states of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, whose lives were recently impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Leave No Trace-An outdoor recreation summit was convened in 1993 including the various outdoor industry and sporting trade associations, NOLS, nonprofit organizations, outdoor manufacturer and federal land management agencies to create an independent 501-c-3, nonprofit organization called Leave No Trace, Inc. The organization, now known as the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (the Center), was incorporated to develop and expand Leave No Trace training and educational resources, spread the general program components, and engage a diverse range of partners from the federal land management agencies and outdoor industry corporations to nonprofit environmental and outdoor organizations and youth-serving groups.

The Family Learning Center believes in a world where everyone has value. It believes when people of all “walks of life” work together for the common good of our society, our society becomes a more empowering place for everyone. The population they serve reflects the Center’s view of the world. It is comprised of primarily low-income and culturally diverse children and families. They reside in low-income and/or subsidized housing communities and work for very low wages, depending on a variety of government and private aid programs, (e.g. food stamps, food banks, subsidized housing, Medicaid and low cost medical clinics). They also have a deep commitment to improving the quality of life for their children and families. They all add value to our society through their strong work ethic and their belief in the principles in which this county was founded: the rights of individuals to pursue life, liberty and happiness– in other words, to live the “American Dream” of enhanced education and upward mobility.

The Colorado Youth Program helps connect kids with nature and their communities with its summer camps and school year programs. CYP kids study wildlife, forests and weather. They breathe fresh air and play in sunny meadows and cool mountain lakes.

The Colorado Youth Program teaches the value of volunteerism while leading kids in various environmental and community causes.

Most importantly, CYP leads these great kids inFUN! With Colorado Youth Program, kids sled and play in the snow, fly kites, canoe, sleep under the stars, mountain bike, fish, and go whitewater rafting.

USDA Forest Service – The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations

The USDA Forest Service commitment to land stewardship and public service is the framework within which natural resources are managed. Implicit in this statement is the agency’s collaboration with partners and the public.