Statement from The Conservation Alliance Regarding Public Lands and the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show

February 10, 2017

Since 1989, The Conservation Alliance has participated in the Outdoor Retailer trade shows, held for the past 20 years in Salt Lake City. The shows have provided an important opportunity for us to meet with our members, share news about our conservation efforts, and work to integrate a conservation ethic into the fabric of the outdoor industry.

Though Utah is home to some of our most spectacular public lands, the state’s elected officials have demonstrated a shocking disregard for these wild places, and the powerful economic benefits they provide. Utah’s Congressional delegation, Governor, and legislature are pushing for dramatic changes to our public lands system that would diminish these places that are so important to our member companies, their employees, and their customers. The disconnect between our industry’s shared commitment to protecting public lands, and Utah’s disdain for those lands is untenable. Some of our members are directly responding to this discord by ending their participation in Outdoor Retailer show until it moves to a different state, or Utah’s elected officials change their position on public lands. Others will continue to exhibit at the show. The Conservation Alliance will continue to participate in the show because it is the best place for us to organize an effective business response to the imminent threats to our public lands.

We applaud Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) for taking steps to explore other locations for the show, and recognize that Utah’s position on public lands is the most important factor in motivating them to do so. The Conservation Alliance has worked closely with OIA on public lands issues – including the effort to designate the Bears Ears National Monument – and are proud of the conservation work we have done together.

In coalition with OIA and Outdoor Alliance, we bring together business, conservation, and outdoor recreation interests to deliver a strong and unified voice for our public lands. This collaboration reflects our belief in the principle of strength in numbers; that our industry is strongest when it works together toward common goals. We collaborate because each organization brings different strengths to the coalition. Because OIA and Outdoor Alliance have full-time staff in Washington, D.C., The Conservation Alliance can focus our resources on making grants to conservation projects, and engaging our member companies to support those projects with grassroots advocacy. Our respective roles complement each other, and we will need each other as we face unprecedented threats to our public lands over the next several years.

The Conservation Alliance has a 27-year history of advocating for our public lands. Protecting wild places, and preserving the integrity of our nation’s public lands system is central to our mission. We have invested millions in protecting specific places managed by the federal government, and our grants have helped protect more than 50 million acres of land, mostly in the public domain. We are inspired that our industry and member companies are passionate about public lands, and we are committed to working within our mission to ensure that they remain intact. We look forward to collaborating with our members at the July trade show to send a strong, unified message about preserving our public lands system, and the special places that lie therein.

About the Conservation Alliance:
The Conservation Alliance is an organization of outdoor businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots environmental organizations and their efforts to protect wild places where outdoor enthusiasts recreate. Alliance funds have played a key role in protecting rivers, trails, wildlands and climbing areas. 

Membership in the Alliance is open to companies representing all aspects of the outdoor industry, including manufacturers, retailers, publishers, mills and sales representatives. The result is a diverse group of businesses whose livelihood depends on protecting our natural environment.

Since 1989, The Conservation Alliance has contributed more than $17 million in grants that have helped protect 50 million acres, 2,991 river miles, remove or halt 29 dams, acquire 12 climbing areas & designate five marine reserves. 

For complete information on the Conservation Alliance, see www.conservationalliance.com.