Environment
PCTA defends Pacific Crest Trail from threats
The Pacific Crest Trail Association protects, preserves, and promotes the Pacific Crest Trail. This means managing threats like clear cuts, windmill farms, and motorized use with a small staff spread over three states.
Patagonia Footwear advocates for local nonprofits
Ever seen employees of a retail store creating music videos about a product in their free time, just because the brand or program inspires them? You might during Patagonia Footwear's Advocate Weeks.
"To the Arctic" with Photographer Florian Schulz
Award-winning conservation photographer Florian Schulz spent many months in the Arctic — spring, summer, fall, and winter — to photograph the remote landscape and diverse wildlife for "To the Arctic."
Ibex Offers 100% Made in America Wool
From Montana sheep farm to hoodies and half-zips, Ibex's fall 2012 Shak Lite garments will be 100-percent American-made, sourced, and processed.
Sierra Names Nation's "Coolest" Green Schools
Know an outdoorsy, environmentally-minded high school student looking at colleges? Show him or her yet another ranking list, this one Sierra magazine's annual list of the nation’s “Coolest Schools.”
AAC offers Cornerstone Grants for climbing areas
Know a climbing area that needs better infrastructure like signs, trails, or composting toilets? The American Alpine Club's Cornerstone Conservation Grant helps fund essential infrastructure at climbing areas.
Leave No Trace: Be ready to get muddy
What effect does a footstep have? The answer is, it depends. A footstep means different things to a tree sapling and meadow grass, to leaf litter and cryptobiotic soil, to a gravely riverbank and muddy springtime trail.
How Green is My Pack? Eco Index to assess outdoor gear and apparel
Survey your outdoor gear: your base layers, fleece, go-to backpack. What’s it all made of? Where did it come from? The Eco Index will assess your outdoor gear, apparel, and footwear's overall environmental impact, eventually.
Get to your hike by bus, train, or bike
Want to reduce the environmental impact of your trip to the trail, avoid road stress, or just don't have a car? Consider bikepacking, bike shuttling, a carpool, train, or bus to get you to your hike.
AAC to Lead Environmental Expedition to Peru's Cordillera Blanca
The American Alpine Club is leading an environmental mountaineering expedition to Peru’s highest mountain range, the Cordillera Blanca. Mountaineers and scientists will collect soil, water, snow, glacial ice, and air samples to determine environmental impacts.
Soundscape Ecology: Listening to the health of ecosystems
The sounds of nature can be part of the appeal of the outdoors for hikers, bird watchers, and paddlers. But what about human noise? As vehicular and airplane traffic has increased, animals have been impacted, even in the backcountry.
National Forest Service unveils proposed forest planning management rule
The Forest Service unveiled its proposed Forest Planning Rule which the agency says "would establish a new national framework to develop land management plans that protect water and wildlife and promote vibrant communities." It's open for public comment through May 16, 2011.
December 21: Winter Solstice and Total Lunar Eclipse
Welcome winter's arrival on Tuesday, December 21, with your favorite backcountry winter activity, food, and drink. Also, in the early hours of the 21st, there will be a total lunar eclipse.
Books for Backcountry Bibliophiles
There are a host of new, award-winning outdoor books for backcountry bibliophiles, as well as a new edition of a 50-year-old classic.
How to Recycle Old Outdoor Gear
Depending on who you're talking to, today is either America Recycles Day or Zero Waste Day. If you can't donate or pass on old backcountry gear, what are your recycling options once your gear reaches the end of its trail life? Here are a few.
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