Obama’s Nomination of Sally Jewell for Secretary of the Interior has Outdoor Industry Bu

PRLog (Press Release) - Feb. 8, 2013 - Boulder, Colo. —CEO of REI, Sally Jewell, has the whole outdoor industry in her corner, cheering her on, after hearing the news that President Obama has nominated her to become the 51st Secretary of the Department of the Interior.  There is nothing unconventional about having Jewell fill this position, in the eyes of her outdoor industry peers.

“Sally has a keen understanding that our public lands are important for both habitat and recreation,” said The Conservation Alliance Executive Director, John Sterling. “She is passionate about getting more people into the outdoors, and she understands that those people need well-managed lands to enjoy outdoor activities.”

The Conservation Alliance (http://www.conservationalliance.com/) is a group of outdoor industry companies that disburses its collective annual membership dues to grassroots environmental organizations in an effort to protect wild places for their habitat and recreation values. Having an outdoor industry veteran and environmental steward in this position of influence would be a victory for this organization and its members.

“As a funder of conservation efforts, most of our dollars go to efforts to protect public lands for future generations. So, having an outdoor industry veteran at Interior who understands the intersection of recreation and conservation on our federal lands will be a great help,” said Sterling.

Other organizations, with more specific outdoor recreation interests, also have reasons to celebrate. For PeopleForBikes.org, which focuses on making bicycling safer, more convenient, and more appealing for all Americans, this nomination has special significance.  People For Bikes President Tim Blumenthal, expressed his confidence in Sally Jewell as the pick for Secretary of the Interior.

“As the CEO of REI, she’s done an excellent job of blending and balancing recreation and conservation interests. REI has been an exceptional supporter of a wide variety of projects and organizations that preserve public land while encouraging outdoor recreation and stewardship,” said Blumenthal. “She understands the importance of easy bike routes for people of all ages, and the value of the recreation tourism for the economy. Her experience and outlook should help improve bicycling on public land. This will benefit PeopleForBikes.org and the bike industry.”

The U.S. Department of the Interior (http://www.doi.gov/index.cfm), whose mission is to protect America’s great outdoors and power the future, is responsible for the management and conservation federal land and natural resources.  The department oversees entities such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Park Service.

“We hope to work with Sally and her team to improve bicycling on public land, particularly by making it easier and more appealing for families and children to bike in national parks, national recreation areas, and on BLM land,” said Blumenthal. “That’s what we’re doing in cities through our Green Lane Project, and that’s what we hope to assist on public land, coast to coast.”

For more information about The Conservation Alliance, visit: www.conservationalliance.com.

For more information about PeopleForBikes.org, visit: www.peopleforbikes.org.

About PeopleForBikes.org:

Launched in 2010, PeopleForBikes.org is a movement dedicated to improving the future of bicycling in America. By engaging one million Americans, PeopleForBikes.org aims to speak with one, powerful voice to make bicycling safer, more convenient, and more appealing for everyone. It currently counts more than 650,000 supporters. PeopleForBikes.org is hosted by the Bikes Belong Foundation.

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 its inception in 1989, the Alliance has contributed more than $11 million to grassroots conservation groups. Alliance funding has helped save more than 41 million acres of wildlands; protect 2,700 miles of rivers; stop or remove 25 dams; designate five marine reserves; and purchase nine climbing areas.