29,148.70 Pounds of Trash and Counting

April 4, 2022

Introducing the ‘22 Granite Gear Grounds Keepers

Two Harbors, MN — April 4, 2022 /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – New crew, same mission. Since 2017, the Granite Gear Grounds Keepers have removed almost 30,000 pounds of trash from our trails, beaches, parks, waterways, and public lands. The majority of that is micro trash, including bar wrappers, bottle lids, and toilet paper. In 2022, the selected 15 Grounds Keepers will continue to work at this mission of leaving every space they encounter better than they found it. Team member, Retha Charette, has a goal of picking up 1,000 pounds by the end of the year. This year’s diverse crew of 15 Grounds Keepers will be supported by the following sponsors: Sawyer, Astral, Food for the Sole, Katabatic Gear, Kula Cloth, Hikers Brew, Lava Linens, UCO, and Hibear. Granite Gear is thrilled to have this growing coalition of brands supporting this initiative.

Grounds Keeper Heather Daigle, says, “When it comes to #leaveitbetter there is plenty of work to be done and I see cleaning up public spaces as a way to hold myself accountable in my larger commitment to learning how to better honor the lands I visit and the peoples who have and continue to steward them, as well as how to improve accessibility and safety for all who seek to spend time outside.”

Out of hundreds of applicants, the Grounds Keepers were chosen based on their passion for the outdoors, cleanup goals, commitment to DEI initiatives, and outdoor experience. With the collective mission to leave our planet better, the new 2022 team includes: Felicia Kemp, Retha Charette, Bradlee Jeffrey, Carmen Pérez, Whitney Christen, Andrew Stone, Rachel Shoemaker, Heather Daigle, Dru Falco, Amity Quinones, Yolande Webster, Julie Hukriede, Quang Vo, Peg Keiner, and Kaitlin Musser.

“Every year, our Grounds Keeper team continues to make a positive impact on their communities and the outdoors. What started as a few hikers picking up trash along their thru hikes, has become a nation-wide effort of love and leaving it better. At Granite Gear, we’re honored and  humbled to assist the Grounds Keepers in this mission.” says Granite Gear’s General Manager, Rob Coughlin.

Visit www.thegroundskeepers.org to learn more about the team and follow along on Instagram. Granite Gear and all brand partners share stories from the Grounds Keepers often. For more information on the Grounds Keepers program, please email Julie Bacon at jbacon@granitegear.com.

You can join in this Earth Month, by participating in the ‘Earth Day Giveaway’ with the Grounds Keepers sponsors on Instagram. See this post for details.

About Granite Gear

For 36 years, Granite Gear has brought cutting-edge products to the outdoor industry. 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. Learn more at granitegear.com and follow along on Instagram.