Breaking News

Breaking News, Diversity, Greening Youth Foundation, Millennials, SNEWS / 19.03.2017

The outdoor apparel and equipment brand Patagonia aims to create a more diverse workforce. In order to recruit and retain people of color in ways that are authentic and in keeping with its culture the company has forged a relationship with a nonprofit based in Atlanta that helps underrepresented children, teens and young adults  become stewards of the environment. The Greening Youth Foundation (GYF) provides cultural resources and guidance to  assist aspiring students, many of whom are African-American or Hispanic, in becoming knowledgeable of the natural systems that...

Breaking News, Center For Humans & Nature, Diversity, Greening Youth Foundation, National Monuments, National Parks / 09.09.2016

[caption id="attachment_2064043" align="alignright" width="575"] Greening Youth Interns meet with US Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell in Washington DC[/caption]   Until the lion learns to write, the tale of the hunt will glorify the hunter ~ African Proverb   [dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen I was collage-age I doubt that I would have had the poise or presence of mind to speak to a cabinet member of a sitting President.  The students who met with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell carried themselves with a level of confidence and conviction that I couldn’t help but...

Breaking News, Kids in Nature, Madison / 13.02.2016

Madison will play a vital role in a national plan to make nature more accessible to children who live in cities. Noted for its long-standing traditions of outdoor recreation and environmental conservation the Wisconsin capital city was named among seven U.S. cities to participate in a long-term initiative to explore ways in which local municipalities, private institutions and nonprofit organizations can create opportunities to better connect kids with the great outdoors. Selected by the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education & Families and the Children & Nature...

Breaking News, Environmental Journalism, Environmental Protection, Yosemite / 12.02.2016

Late last week I received some wonderful news. In recognition for my work reporting on the earliest days of Yosemite National Park I have been named a Yosemite Centennial Ambassador. As the NPS celebrates its 100th anniversary this year I have been included in an amazing group of park supporters whose life-long bodies of work have raised the profile of Yosemite and the other 409 park units around the country. I am incredibly humbled to be among those tasked with sharing their passion for one of the most spectacular...

Adventure Activism, An American Ascent, Breaking News, Expedition Denali, The Adventure Gap / 29.06.2015

Way back when we first started planning the Expedition Denali project I had one secret goal. And during one of the most remarkable weeks in recent history that objective was finally realized. In a private screening before almost 200 high school students and representatives from several youth-focused nonprofit organizations our film An American Ascent was presented at the White House. Expedition Denali team members Rosemary Saal, Tyrhee Moore and Billy Long made the long journey to Washington D.C. along with my co-producer Andy Adkins. Although I had never mentioned...

Breaking News, Diversity, Madison, Outdoor Recreation, The Adventure Gap / 01.05.2015

When my friend Fred Harrington contacted me by text last year I figured he just wanted to get together for a beer. A neighbor around the corner from our house on the Near Westside, he and I, along with our wives frequently meet for drinks and dining at one of many local restaurants in Madison. “Do you have any time Wed to discuss the book nomination for Edgewood College?” the message read. “Preferably over beer, Maybe just before during or after dinner? It is due Fri.” Beer was certainly included...