Outdoor Retailer Fights to Keep Public Lands Public

Last year, at the end of the Obama Administration, President  Obama designated the "Bears Ears area of Utah as a National Monument.  This designation caused a stir amongst the Republicans in Utah.  As long as Obama was president, Bears Ears National Monument was safe.  

Since the November 8, 2016 election of Donald Trump as president there has been a move afoot to turn over public lands to the states, especially in Utah. Because there are 33 states with Republican governors there is a big risk that if public lands were turned over to these governors, corporations will be given access to develope these public lands for profit taking away our rights to have access to our public lands like we have today.  After Trump was elected, Orrin Hatch, Senator from Utah, has been working to remove the Bears Ears National Monument designation and to exempt Utah from the Antiquities Act which gives the president the power to create National Monuments.  He has help from Utah Senator Mike Lee. HERE/ for the OR unity page to learn more about their fight for our public lands. Click HERE for a Denver Post article on Bears Ears National Monument.

This year OR will return to Salt Lake City, Utah.  But next year OR winter and summer market will not be held in Utah.  An RFP will be released this year to select a new home.  

 In light of the actions by Hatch and Lee and Utah Republicans, the Outdoor Retailer (OR) made a decision to help organize and fight for our public lands. Click

In support of Outdoor Retailer (OR), largest gathering of outdoor recreation retailers in America, REI, The Conservation Alliance, Ibex, The North Face, Vasque, Smartwool, Cascade Designs, Thule Group, and Adidas Outdoors have issued statements of support.

If you support keeping public lands public like I do, then shop outdoor retailers who support keeping public lands public.

Until next time, be safe in the sin and have a great day in the great outdoors.