BlackStrap Launches Smokey Bear Partnership With USDA Forest Service

October 25, 2021

USA made line of facegear and active accessories gives back to wildfire prevention efforts

BEND, OR (Oct. 25, 2021) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ –This fall, BlackStrap is partnering with the world’s most well-known bear and American icon – Smokey Bear – to offer licensed facegear, head wear and goggle covers. In 2021, Smokey Bear celebrated 77 years of wildfire education and BlackStrap released a Birthday Collection of Smokey Bear licensed gear, complete with a birthday party, and a portion of proceeds supporting the U.S. Forest Service’s nationwide wildfire prevention campaign. This winter, Blackstrap will launch additional Smokey Bear products via a collection with evo, the outdoor retailer.

For Winter 2021/22, BlackStrap is partnering with evo to spread the message of conscious wildfire prevention by creating a new collection of facegear and goggle covers for adults and kids. These pieces feature iconic Smokey Bear artwork and new, fun, modern designs that consumers have come to expect from BlackStrap.

BlackStrap is proud to call Bend, Oregon home. The fire season is becoming increasingly visible, with days or even weeks of smoke-filled skies in its Central Oregon city. Oregon has seen massively devastating, human-caused fires that could have been prevented through education, including the 50,000-acre Eagle Creek Fire that torched the iconic Columbia River Gorge. BlackStrap hopes to create positive change by helping to prevent wildfires through education across the country.

A portion of proceeds from this collection will support the U.S. Forest Service’s nationwide wildfire prevention campaign aimed at maintaining public awareness about preventing unwanted human-caused wildland fires. In 2020 alone, more than 10 million acres burned and accounted for 85% of all wildfires in the US.

BlackStrap’s ethos has always been a sustainability forward approach to operations, building products and developing as a brand. With the partnership between BlackStrap and the U.S. Forest Service and collections with evo and retail partners worldwide the focus will be supporting the continuing education of human-caused fire prevention and carrying on Smokey Bear’s message of stewardship, because “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.”

About BlackStrap:

Since 2008, BlackStrap has become a leading USA made Facegear, Headwear & Apparel manufacturer in the Snow Sports and Active Outdoor Industries. BlackStrap works to revolutionize product categories through developing personal working relationships with industry partners, building proprietary fabrics & designs and implementing the highest quality/performance standards for unmatched function when in the elements. Based in Bend OR, BlackStrap proudly employs dozens of local employees in an effort to keep all of the product processing, warehousing & distribution in house. With a forward focus on sustainability and creative solutions for BlackStrap’s 2000+ retail partners worldwide; BlackStrap will continue to set the industry standards with products, service and company ethos.

ABOUT THE SMOKEY BEAR LICENSING PROGRAM

Since 1944, Smokey Bear has been on a mission to prevent unwanted, human-caused wildfires. Through the longest running public service advertising campaign in U.S. history, Smokey Bear has become part of American culture and much loved by adults and children alike. The Smokey Bear licensing program is managed by the USDA Forest Service, and includes more than 120 licensees with officially licensed products widely distributed across almost every retail channel. For more information about Smokey Bear licensing, please visit: www.fs.usda.gov/smokeybearlicensing

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Verde Brand Communications
Matt Sklar
matts@verddepr.com