http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/missoula/mountain-high/Content?oid=1148198
by Jonas Ehudin
As we stand here on the edge of yard sale season—in our hopes and dreams, at least—you’ve probably got a stack of old outdoor gear taking up room in your garage, closet or back seat.
Before you start slapping price stickers on that treasure trove of tents, sleeping bags, jackets and backpacks, allow me to appeal to your philanthropic side: On Sat., March 14, the month-long Gear for the Garhwal Gear Drive begins, with drop-off locations at Bob Wards, the Trailhead, Pipestone Mountaineering and UM’s Outdoor Program.
The drive is organized by the Nature-Link Institute, a nonprofit study abroad program accredited by the UM College of Forestry and Conservation, which has taken students to study in India’s Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve Park since 2004. In that time, the program developed a relationship with Mountain Shepherds, a community-owned eco-tourism outfit that aims to empower local youth to manage their traditional lands in sustainable ways.
And that’s where your old shells, climbing gear, headlamps and sleeping pads come into play. Once April 19 rolls around, Nature-Link’s next batch of travelers will hand-deliver the amassed stockpile to their Himalayan counterparts. The project’s slogan—“A mountain to mountain community service”—sums it up well, and in this age of ever-increasing connectivity, extend a hand of outdoor friendship that reaches around the globe. Contact the Nature-Link Institute at 370-2294, or visit nature-link.org.
Before you start slapping price stickers on that treasure trove of tents, sleeping bags, jackets and backpacks, allow me to appeal to your philanthropic side: On Sat., March 14, the month-long Gear for the Garhwal Gear Drive begins, with drop-off locations at Bob Wards, the Trailhead, Pipestone Mountaineering and UM’s Outdoor Program.
The drive is organized by the Nature-Link Institute, a nonprofit study abroad program accredited by the UM College of Forestry and Conservation, which has taken students to study in India’s Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve Park since 2004. In that time, the program developed a relationship with Mountain Shepherds, a community-owned eco-tourism outfit that aims to empower local youth to manage their traditional lands in sustainable ways.
And that’s where your old shells, climbing gear, headlamps and sleeping pads come into play. Once April 19 rolls around, Nature-Link’s next batch of travelers will hand-deliver the amassed stockpile to their Himalayan counterparts. The project’s slogan—“A mountain to mountain community service”—sums it up well, and in this age of ever-increasing connectivity, extend a hand of outdoor friendship that reaches around the globe. Contact the Nature-Link Institute at 370-2294, or visit nature-link.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment