Granite Gear Announces 2024 Grounds Keepers “Legacy Team”

February 5, 2024

And Reaches Major Milestone: 40,000 Pounds Of Trash Picked Up Since 2017

Two Harbors, MN /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Today Granite Gear announces the launch of the 2024 Grounds Keepers program and welcomes a “Legacy Team” of 10 diverse nature lovers and former Grounds Keeper participants. Now in its 8th year, the Grounds Keepers represents a team of dedicated hikers, bikers, and paddlers who commit to a year of environment and community stewardship by picking up trash from wild places and vowing to “leave it better” than they found it.

The 2024 Grounds Keepers team announcement also coincides with a major milestone and accomplishment: As of January 2024, the Grounds Keepers have packed out 40,422 pounds of trash from city green spaces, public beaches, national parks, and trail systems around the country. This massive achievement is inclusive of the total weight of all trash removed by Grounds Keepers since the program’s launch back in 2017.

The “Legacy Team” class of 2024 Grounds Keepers were chosen based on their boundless passion for the outdoors, ambitious cleanup goals, and unwavering commitment to DEI initiatives. With the collective mission to leave our planet better, the 2024 team includes: Annika Bee, Julie Hukriede, Steven Snyder, Yolande Webster, Carmen Pérez, Cory Maria Dack, Mike Kennedy, Quang Vo, Amiththan Sebarajah, and Jen Theisen.

Granite Gear is also proud to partner with an impact-driven coalition of leading outdoor companies who share a passion for environmental stewardship and diversifying the outdoors. The 2024 Grounds Keepers sponsors include Sawyer, Astral, Katabatic Gear, Kula Cloth, Hikers Brew, UCO, Hibear, Farm to Summit, and Appalachian Gear Company. Each partner brand commits to providing gear and community support for the 2024 Grounds Keepers team throughout their year of service.

“Hola, mi gente! I’m so excited to be back for another year of picking up trash and bridging equity gaps in the outdoors as a Granite Gear Grounds Keeper – spending time with Pacha Mama (Mother Nature) is one of the most powerful ways to build community and heal generational trauma,” says Cory Maria Dack, a 2023 and 2024 “Legacy Team” Grounds Keeper.

“I love partnering with Granite Gear because, like me, they’re dedicated to making sure people of ALL walks of life have access to the healing and joy to be found outdoors,” she adds. “Cleaning up litter while on trail is one way we can give back to the water and the land, but picking up litter with a group of friends is even better. Here’s to getting back out there and “Leaving It Lovely” for all to enjoy.”
Granite Gear and brand partners share stories from the Grounds Keepers often. Follow along on Instagram and for more information on the Grounds Keepers program, email Julie Bacon at jbacon@granitegear.com. Applications for the 2025 team will open up November 2024.

About Granite Gear

For 38 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.