Sierra Club outings leaders win inspirational award

The Sierra Club's Mission Outdoors volunteers on Jan. 24 received an Outdoor Inspiration Award, presented by adidas Outdoor, at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The award celebrates inspiring individuals, companies and non-profits that have played a role in increasing participation in outdoor activities.

Mission Outdoors is a volunteer army of outdoor leaders, educators, and enthusiasts bringing more than 200,000 people into the outdoors. Every year, 6,000 leaders from 450 Local Outings groups all over country donate their time and energy facilitating meaningful opportunities for outdoor exploration. These trips range from leisurely day hikes to ski mountaineering ascents in the Sierra Nevada. Their efforts ensure that local communities are connected to the outdoors and to the natural wild places available to them.

Since 1970, Inner City Outings (ICO) has made it possible for urban youth throughout America to take advantage of the local, state and national parks, valuable experiences for many of these children who otherwise may not be able to enjoy our public lands. Today, there are 50 ICO groups nationwide whose volunteers conduct more than 850 outings for more than 12,000 youth each year.

"Each Mission Outdoors volunteer and participant is doing their part to increase access to outdoor recreation, expand the conservation movement and honor John Muir’s legacy,” said Mission Outdoors Director Stacy Bare. "We’re honored and excited our volunteers are being recognized by the outdoor industry for the time and effort they donate to ensuring that everyone has the chance to enjoy and explore the outdoors." Through direct programming, public education and advocacy, Sierra Club’s Mission Outdoors program combats the growing divide between America and the outdoors by increasing opportunities for all to improve their overall well-being by exploring and enjoying the natural world.  Read more at http://www.sierraclub.org/missionoutdoors.

For more information, to become a volunteer or find a local outing, please visit www.sierraclub.org/missionoutdoors.

To participate in hikes led by Angeles Chapter leaders, check out our online Schedule of Activities.