National park rangers will wear Columbia clothing

National park rangers will wear Columbia clothing

Outdoors brand Columbia will kit out up to 2,000 national park staff with clothing in a five-year partnership.

The Portland, Oregon-based company will provide gear for national park rangers and staff with some of its latest models, including the OutDry Extreme Eco Jacket.

The firm said: “Columbia has committed to outfitting upwards of 2,000 national park staff for five years, including 300 rangers, providing high quality clothing that’s ‘tested tough’ and designed to keep them warm, dry, cool and protected in Britain’s toughest conditions.

“Rangers and staff are entrusted to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the national parks for all who visit. Their efforts range from rebuilding mountain paths to repairing river moorings, and from leading guided walks to educating school children and community groups about the great outdoors.

“And they undertake much of this work in some of the wettest, most challenging weather in the world.”

As well as kitting the rangers and staff and obtaining their feedback on the gear, Columbia will work alongside the 15 national parks in Scotland, Wales and England on new initiatives to deepen the public’s understanding of their national parks and encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors.

Jacquie Burgess, chair of National Parks UK, said: “Columbia Sportswear is showing a strong commitment to the UK’s national parks with this partnership.

“Providing clothing for more than 2,000 staff is a very significant contribution, supporting the very heart of our work. Columbia will take a leading role in helping to increase public understanding of our wonderful national parks by sharing the stories of our people and our parks over the coming five years.”

The OutDry Extreme Jacket is described by the company as the ultimate sustainable waterproof breathable solution for extreme conditions, sustainably manufactured without perfluorinated compounds. The jacket’s design represents a sea-change in the development of performance rainwear, and signifies an important environmental advance, it said.

Up to 2,000 staff will benefit from the partnership with Columbia

Up to 2,000 staff will benefit from the partnership with Columbia

Andy Barker, Columbia Sportswear’s general manager for the UK and Ireland, said: “At Columbia, our mission is to help people enjoy the outdoors longer.

“That’s why we consider it our responsibility to be conscientious stewards of our shared environment. Becoming a partner of the UK’s national parks is an unrivalled opportunity to highlight the amazing work conducted by rangers and staff.”

Steve Curl, chair of National Parks Partnerships, the organisation that facilitates corporate partnerships on behalf of the parks, said: “This is a high-value partnership, enabling us to focus our resources towards looking after these special places for now and for future generations to enjoy.

“We have been hugely impressed by Columbia’s environmental and ethical commitments as well as their genuine enthusiasm for the UK’s national parks and their plan for support over the next five years.”

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