Representatives Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have introduced the United States Optimal Use of Trade to Develop Outerwear and Outdoor Recreation (“U.S. OUTDOOR”) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. OUTDOOR Act is the top trade priority for the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and represents several years of development by a broad spectrum of businesses in the outdoor industry and OIA, in conjunction with the American textile and apparel industry.

Specialized has launched a comprehensive sustainability initiative by incorporating Outdoor Industry Association Eco-Index evaluation of their products during product creation, and leading a carbon fiber recycling coalition. This makes Specialized the first major cycling industry member to join the Outdoor Industry Association Eco-Index.

Patagonia has staged a peaceful 500-employee-strong cacerolazo—a Chilean-style protest developed in the Pinochet era where citizens bang pots and pans in loud opposition—to protest the Chilean government’s approval of a North American company's construction of five large dams in the area of southern Chile that inspired Yvon Chouinard to name the company Patagonia.

Founded in 2009 as an advocate for the development and fielding of quality personal protective equipment for American military troops, the Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition (WPRC) visited Capitol Hill in April to meet with over 100 members of congress and their staffs to brief them on the issue.

The WPRC membership represents a broad cross section of industry leaders, including outdoor brands like Benchmade Knifes, Darn Tough, DuPont, New Balance, Outdoor Research, Pelican, Polartec, Smith Optics, Surefire, Wiley X, and W. L. Gore.

The EPA is launching a new strategy to promote the use of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff that pollutes streams, creeks, rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Green infrastructure decreases pollution to local waterways by treating rain where it falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer systems. Green infrastructure captures and filters pollutants by passing stormwater through soils and retaining it on site. Effective green infrastructure tools and techniques include green roofs, permeable materials, alternative designs for streets and buildings, trees, rain gardens and rain harvesting systems.

With the support of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the EPA, the Department of Education has created the Green Ribbon Schools program to recognize schools that are creating healthy and sustainable learning environments and teaching environmental literacy. The Green Ribbon Schools program will be modeled after the Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which annually honors public and private schools that are either high performing or have improved student achievement to high levels.

The Obama Administration has released a national Clean Water Framework that affirms a commitment to protecting the health of America's waters. The framework emphasizes the importance of clean water and healthy watersheds to the economy, environment and communities, and recognizes the importance of partnerships and coordination with states and local communities.

W. L. Gore & Associates is once again supporting global exploration through its annual Shipton-Tilman Grant Program by awarding grants totaling $25,000. Established in 1990, the program is a tribute to the spirit of adventure embodied by legendary explorers Eric Shipton (b. 1907) and Bill Tilman (b. 1897). Both men believed in traveling in small, compact teams, unburdened by porters and excessive bulk to minimize their impact on local populations and ecosystems. The six teams awarded grants through the 2011 program were chosen by Gore because they share this same “less is more” spirit.