Patagonia and the Blue Green Initiative BEACHSPORT. ORG is proud to announce our partnership with Patagonia’s 2006-07 environmental campaign
that is devoted to the oceans. The goal is to help us all recognize the fragility of life under the waters of the earth.
Patagonia is spearheading the effort with marine scientists, writers, surfers, fishermen and lifeguards on
a effort to teach ourselves and our customers the connection between the vitality of human life and the marine
environment. How the vast schools of tuna are like herds of buffalo. How bottom trawling is like clear-cutting an
entire forest to get at a single tree. We will work together to further this message, so that we can all become better
stewards of the ocean in our daily lives. We’ve all seen the water-quality reports and off-the-charts fecal Coli form
counts or have known friends who got a stomach or sinus bug when they surfed too soon after a storm. But if
you think it’s bad in the lineup for you, consider the marine animals. You might suffer a sore throat and a
stuffed-up nose or a case of the runs after surfing your home break, but it’s far more devastating for the organisms
that live there 24/7.
This environmental message is being promoted by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA).
The USLA is the governing body of 110 lifeguard chapters around the country. Our collective goal is to lead the
lifesaving industry down the path of environmental awareness, while at the same time introducing them to the quality and integrity of Patagonia
products. As lifesaving professionals and beach enthusiasts we see first-hand what has been happening to our lakes and oceans. Pollution,
trash, loss of wildlife —these are not concerns for the future, but the realities of today. From California to the Great Lakes to the shores of the
Atlantic; for too long the our business practices have steadily contributed to the environmental degradation that we are all loathe to see.
To this extent Patagonia and the Blue-Green Initiative have partnered together to offer a “green” alternative to members of the USLA.
Through special promotional merchandise offers, your departments can become part of the solution to the environmental crises instead
of perpetuating in the old, outmoded ways of doing business.