WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Interior today welcomed a $25,000 donation from Backwoods, an outdoor retailer and a contributing family foundation, in support of the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) , an ongoing national effort to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards by training and employing thousands of America’s young people and veterans to protect, restore, and enhance our nation’s public lands and waters.
The announcement follows on the heels of Secretary Jewell’s conservation speech at National Geographic yesterday, where she outlined a major course correction in how we approach conservation to ensure a bright future for our public lands and waters.
“Backwoods’ generous donation will engage more youth in hands-on service to America’s public lands and waters while opening new doors to employment and creating lifelong connections to nature,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. “We’re grateful for public-private partnerships like the one with Backwoods, which will benefit the Nation’s young people and the communities they serve.”
Through the 21CSC, thousands of young adults and veterans will work on projects across America’s public lands, including maintaining campgrounds, preserving historic sites, monitoring water quality, building trails and more. From Denali to the Everglades, youth conservation corps are gaining work experience, helping improve the visitor experience and mobilizing entire communities in the stewardship of our parks, refuges, waters and heritage.
“We are certainly thrilled to be able to contribute to this worthy cause. It is a unique opportunity to impact lives while simultaneously supporting the protection and restoration of the nation’s public lands,” said Jen Mull, Backwoods CEO. “With the National Park Centennial upon us, it is the perfect time to support this DOI effort and to highlight this important work which benefits all Americans.”
Backwoods, a family-owned and operated company founded in 1973, helps people enjoy active pursuits by providing high quality outdoor gear, apparel and adventures. Backwoods joins companies like Thule, American Eagle Outfitters, CamelBak, The North Face, Coca-Cola, The Campion Foundation, Youth Outdoor Legacy Fund, REI and American Express in a national movement to invest in and help prepare the next generation of conservation stewards and leaders by providing meaningful and lasting opportunities to play, learn, serve and work in the great outdoors.
The 21CSC is part of an overall strategy by the Obama Administration to connect young people to the outdoors. Other efforts include First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Outside initiative and President Obama’s Every Kid in a Park program to provide all fourth grade students and their families with free admission to national parks and other public lands and waters for a full year. These complement the National Park Service’s Find Your Park campaign preparing for this year’s centennial of the National Park System. For more information about the youth initiative, visit: www.doi.gov/youth.
Source: Department of Interior
