By Verde Brand Communications
The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.
We are all aware that there were indigenous people here before Europeans settled on this continent. These people were kicked off their land to reservations, and some of their sacred places were turned into national parks and monuments.
These parks are meant for everyone to enjoy, but there are key cultural differences to how the land is viewed, protected, respected and recreated on. Western culture’s mindset leans more toward a domination of these lands through adventures.
Native people also enjoy the land through outdoor recreation, but they also have a completely different view of it. It’s part of their origin story and deeply ingrained in their culture. The Native’s view of having respect for the land is much different than what is commonly portrayed in the culture of the outdoor community and industry.
Unfortunately, the Native people have lost their voice over their land and have not felt entirely welcome or that they fit into the culture of the outdoor community. Which is exactly why Len Necefer founded Natives Outdoors earlier this year (in 2017).
The Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing rock really showed that there’s a whole group of people that exist not only in this country, but around the world, that need a voice. They need representation in the outdoor community. Judging by the incredible traction Natives Outdoors has experienced in the past couple of months, Natives Outdoors is offering Native outdoor enthusiasts a community of their own.
In our current government the outdoor world has been at risk. Out monument are in danger, and the Native people are experiencing incredible emotions regarding the threats currently surrounding public lands. There is strength in numbers, and at a time like this, we need to bridge this gap between these communities. Ideally going forward, the gap stays closed and we come together for the common passion and respect we all share for the public lands in America.
This episode of the Take Me Outdoors podcast is an incredibly powerful journey through the vision of Len Necefer. He’s not just an advocate for the outdoors, but he also holds a PhD in Engineering and Public Policy.
Len has been using his reach, intellect and influence for great (not just good) to help the Navajo people and Native people all over the world. He’s creating a true, strong community and sharing the truth of Native people, while breaking down stereotypes, and giving a voice back to Natives.
I really can’t say enough positive things about Len and what he is doing. I implore you to share this episode of the Take Me Outdoors podcast as it carries a very special message captured at an exceptionally special time - something renowned is being born right now - a bridge for Natives into the global outdoor community, where they rightly belong. It’s about time! Let’s support the mission of Natives Outdoors, and start by giving this incredible episode a listen!
Resources:
Shift Festival
Emerging Leaders Program
Natives-Outdoors.org
In 1872 President Ulysses S. Grant started the very first (in the world) national park, Yellowstone. Ever since then our national park and monument system has expanded tremendously. Generations of people have been visiting our national parks and monuments ever since.
After nearly a century and a half of progression our parks are at risk. Trump’s administration has been looking to give up 27 of our national monuments. These are things we need to protect.
It can take decades for these national monuments to be created. So much time and energy is put into these creating these parks from people who care about out outdoor world and want to preserve it for generations to come.
All of this work collected throughout the centuries is in danger of disappearing due to our current leadership. It really is time for us to speak out let make it heard that it’s not ok. That we do want these monuments to last for many more generations.
On this episode of Take Me Outdoors we are joined by a nine-year-old who has been doing more for activism than most adults I know. He’s started an amazing organization KidsSpeakForParks.com that’s been actively helping the environment and our national parks system.
He’s been spreading the word, visiting all kinds of monuments and is currently in the process of putting together some amazing publicity events. He plans to visit schools to talk about national parks, and encourage children to go. He also wants to reach out to kids in the inner cities that normally wouldn’t have a chance to see these natural wonders and help them get out to the parks.
Download this episode today to see how inspiring this young man is, and how caring for our world knows no age.
Resources:
KidsSpeakforParks.com
“At the end of a hard work I head out and ride for two hours let all of the stressed of the day melt away.” - David Wiens
Are you a mountain biker? We used to think that question didn’t need to be asked, because if you were, you knew it.
But mountain biking is unique (in many ways) in that there’s access in so many regions and communities for so many levels of riders. The question ‘are you a mountain biker’ really needs to be rolled out to a far larger group of people.
Verde works across many markets within outdoor active lifestyle. The non-profits in trail, for example, have six-figure memberships. IMBA has stayed the same size for many years – around 40,000 people. The organization knows that there are many, many more riders out there, they just need to discover IMBA and sign up.
That’s partially the purpose of this episode of the Take Me Outdoors podcast. There are other purposes behind it too – but bolstering the numbers of mountain bikers in the national advocacy, access and educational conversation IS THE MOST important.
If ever there was a time for us to be heard and taken seriously, it is NOW.
Here we are, mid-year, during one of the craziest years in conservation, government regulation, outdoor sports and recreation, and frankly, in business. The Trump Administration and the way we engage with and discover trail sports like mountain biking is changing – and fast.
This change is affecting access. It’s also affecting how we come together as a passionate ‘user group’ united by the love of a ribbon of single track weaving through high-desert sagebrush or desert or forest.
Enter the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). This non-profit, headquartered in Boulder, Colo., is turning 30 next year. And, with that pivotal anniversary and the precipitous changes in participation, variation of trail users and the public lands landscape – access to great places to ride has never been in more of a precarious position.
That’s why today’s episode of the Take Me Outdoors podcast is a super important one.
Dave Wiens joins us today. Dave is the Executive Director of IMBA and we couldn’t be more fortunate to have one of us at the helm of our organization at such a cruxy time.
He’s now leading IMBA from an incredible background. Dave founded and led Gunnison Trails, and launched the Gunnison, Colo., Growler, an iconic mountain bike race that takes place over Memorial Day weekend. He’s also a founder of the Outdoor Sports program at Western States Colorado University (also in Gunnison). And, as an aside, he’s an inductee of the Mountain Biking Hall of Fame.
Credentials aside, Dave embodies what it means to be passionate about living for, and loving, a trail sport.
“Mountain biking has given me everything that’s important to me in life,” Wiens said.
Dave’s here to further mountain biking internationally. He’s open minded. He listens. And? He shows up and implements!
If you love mountain biking, or know someone who does, please share this episode with them and also, send them to IMBA.com. If ever there was a time for us to unite, it’s now. Mountain bikers need to have their voice heard as new policy and approaches to access are developing under this new presidential administration. Thanks for listening!
BulletpointsIMBA’s Website
Gunnison Trails
“There’s an appetite out there for innovation. People who will buy things before it’s built because they want to be a part of something new and moving forward.” - Mike Glavin
Have you been having a hard time finding the right way to sleep when you’re outdoors? Hate bringing a sleeping bag and padding to put underneath it? Can’t get comfortable in a mummy sleeping bag? You’re not alone. In fact a lot of people stopped going camping or to festivals all together just because they were tired of taking all kinds of equipment and still not getting a good night’s sleep.
It’s important to have energy if you’re going to be spending your day hiking or traveling around a festival. Without the rest you need it’s just going to be a miserable time. No one wants to go on vacation and get back even more exhausted when they left. Luckily there’s finally an answer we’re excited to explore here on Take Me Outdoors.
Michael Glavin joins our podcast today to discuss his invention: the Zenbivy. He talks about what it’s like as an entrepreneur to create a product and take it directly to consumers looking for this kind of innovation. Listen to his inspiring journey to help people get more energy to enjoy the fresh air we can only find in nature.
Download this episode today to find out what the Zenbivy is all about.
BulletpointsZenbivy.com
Zenbivy Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1246109845/zenbivy-bed-the-most-comfortable-backcountry-sleep
Grassroots Outdoors: http://www.grassrootsoutdoors.com/search/node/zenbivy
“So many people move to New York or another city, and then realize they need the outdoors.” - Sarah Knapp
Looking for a way to get in touch with nature, yet feel stuck in a big city? Often times people move to large metropolitan areas to advance their careers or find more opportunities. When they get there they quickly discover that they need nature. We all used to play outdoors as kids, and that instinct doesn’t leave us when we become adults.
Sarah Knapp joins us today to discuss her creation: OutdoorFest. This organization holds events all year long for people just like you. She helps bring the community closer together while getting in touch with nature. These amazing events are a great way to find a lifelong adventure buddy, and if you haven’t been to one you’re really missing out on a life long experience.
Download this episode to hear exactly what OutdoorFest is about, how it got started, and where Sarah sees it going in the future.
BulletpointsOutdoorFest website: OutdoorFest.com
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/outdrfst/
OutdoorFest Twitter: https://twitter.com/outdoorfest?lang=en
OutdoorFest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoorfest/
Sarah Knapp’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/srhknpp
“People have some of the richest, most exciting experiences outdoors, and it’s hard for them to leave” - Sally Johnson
Sally Johnson is the senior manager of events marketing at REI, and the leader of a very exciting project from REI, Outessa. Outessa is an event that gives women the chance to experience the outdoors, to form relationships and bonds with other women who appreciate and enjoy the outdoors, and to have the experience of understanding themselves better through their time in the outdoors.
As Sally explains, a lot of women have had the experience of initially coming to the outdoors through some male figure, whether it is a brother, father, spouse, or someone else. But Outessa is working to give women ownership of the outdoor experience, as themselves, and the opportunity to form true and lasting relationships with other women who share their passion for the outdoors.
In a time where commitments pile up, stress builds up, the world seems like a crazier and crazier place, giving women the chance to unwind for a moment, have these experiences, and truly build community among themselves is Outessa’s mission.
BulletpointsOutessa.com
REI.com
The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.