Columbia Sportswear and the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance are joining forces to support local conservation and outdoor-education projects across the country through the Columbia/Grassroots Belay Program.
The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a group of independent outdoor retailers organized to serve the needs of its members operating members, who operate 100 independent specialty outdoor stores throughout North America. Established in 2012, the program provides funding and product support to projects selected by Grassroots members. In 2016, 20 new projects have been selected to receive a total of $100,000 from Columbia.
The two groups share a mission of connecting people with the outdoors while fostering environmental stewardship on local, national and global levels. The program demonstrates a joint commitment to the outdoors while providing basic necessities to secure and safeguard local projects that improve the environment.
“Since its began in 2012, the Belay Program has demonstrated its ability to accomplish vital conservation work while engaging local communities,” said Scott Welch, global corporate relations manager at Columbia. “We’re proud of our long-term partnership with Grassroots and excited for the opportunity to support 2016 grant recipients in their mission to conserve the natural places we love and get kids outside.”
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Among those selected are the Montana Audubon Center, Native Expeditions Young Stewards and Paddle Georgia 2016 Youth Program. Grant recipients will receive $5,000 in cash, product or both from Columbia.
