Habitat = Opportunity = Economic Activity

Making Do

December 1, 2013 By Tom Sadler

Modeling my 15+ year old Patagonia Capilene longjohns. — Modeling my 15+ year old Patagonia Capilene long johns.

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

If you spend anytime in our home you will see an abundance of gear and outdoor clothing. Truth is very little get tossed out. In fact, the last great purge was when we sent a bunch of clothing with friends who were headed to NOLA in the aftermath of Katrina.

Getting rid of clothes and gear is not something I like to do. And if I do, it goes to someone else who wants it or can use it. So when Patagonia started addressing the consumerism issue it piqued my interest. With Black Friday now imposing on Thanksgiving day and the ensuing mayhem, even more so.

Last year for Black Friday, Patagonia ran an ad in the New York Times “Don’t Buy This Jacket.” It was their way of encouraging their customers to “buy less and buy more thoughtfully.”

This year they went one step further and rolled out “Worn Wear.” The film and the Tumblr that goes with it use the tag line Stories We Wear and is “an invitation to celebrate the stuff you already own.”

Clothes and gear do tell a story. I know mine do and I like that.

Of course I still buy stuff I probably don’t really need. I have gear and clothes that are improvements on previous designs and I wanted to take advantage of that. And I still will.

But the Stories We Wear tagline stuck a chord and got me thinking about something I grew up with, “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” So the old stuff will get looked at again. And the patches and wear will be bookmarks of the journey.

Nicely done Patagonia!

Heads in the Sand

November 17, 2013 By Tom Sadler

Monte Burke did us all a great favor when he gave Todd Tanner, chairman of Conservation Hawks a guest slot in Forbes.com.

Tanner didn’t disappoint.

His ironic Death by Polar Bear points out why making polar bears the symbol for climate change seriously undermines the effort to address the issue.

Here’s a news flash. Nobody in the Lower 48 has ever seen a polar bear in their backyard, or at the local baseball field, or on their way to work. Nobody has seen one frolicking in a meadow or swimming across a river. Which makes the big white bears one of the worst symbols we’ve ever picked for anything, anywhere, at any point in human history. Seriously, this is Marketing 101. If you want to convince Americans they’re in danger, you don’t point toward the North Pole and hand them a pair of binoculars.

Bravo to Tanner for calling bullshit. He nails it. But before you get all warm and fuzzy or outraged, his marketing lesson is just a part of a larger message.
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A Dirty Deal in Florida

November 3, 2013 By Tom Sadler

With the new gig I don’t have nearly the time I used have to blog about the conservation and outdoor recreation stories like I want to. The good news is Chris Hunt of Eat More Brook Trout fame has unleashed a corker.

His four part series “Florida’s Dirty Little Secret” describes in stunning detail the problems facing the coastal estuaries in south Florida and the impact it has on outdoor recreation. It is both eye opening and a call to action.

Part 1: “It’s feast or famine for the coastal estuaries of south Florida, and while the solution to restoring balance to these vital ecological and recreational wonderlands seems simple–and it frankly is, assuming the political will can be mustered–powerful interests stand in the way.”

Part 2: “This heavily subsidized industry is largely the cause of one of the most egregious environmental problems in the Southeast, and if you’re a saltwater angler from Florida, or someone who travels to the Sunshine State to chase inshore trophies like snook, tarpon and redfish, you might already know the havoc Big Sugar wreaks on the state’s southern estuaries.”

Part 3: “But unless we act, we’re just a bunch of whiners. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s true. Complaining about a problem without offering a solution just makes for shrill rhetoric. It’s unproductive, to be sure. For more, see: Congress, United States.”

Part 4: “But the challenge isn’t so much proving that recreation fishing deserves a more prominent seat at the table. Instead, it’s finding a way to play the game by a set of rules we likely need more help with. While Big Sugar contributes millions every year to political action committees and candidates–and spends millions more lobbying for the status quo–the recreational fishing industry does precious little.”

The bottom line is never more clear. Access to healthy habitat creates recreational opportunity that leads to economic activity.

As Hunt so aptly states in his closing post, “Yes, the system is failing us. As anglers, it’s clear that we have the numbers. We have the data. We have the impact. But, unless we start putting the money where our mouths are, Big Sugar, Big Oil, mining, ethanol, coal–the industries that quietly spend money in D.C and in congressional districts from coast to coast to protect their fiefdoms–we’re going to lose our resources, both fresh and salty.”

The question now is one of political will. Policy discussions have failed us. We can make the case until the cows come home and the facts back us up, but if the policy makers ignore us then it is time to go political.

Have we had enough of policy makers who ignore the economic importance of outdoor recreation economy and dismiss the benefits of outdoor recreation and venues they require?

Will we start to demand more action and less lip service?

I hope so. How about you?

Cue the pitchforks and torches!

“Just one question?”

October 23, 2013 By Tom Sadler

Beau Beasley penned an important article, In Cuccinelli-McAuliffe Governor’s Race, Reaching Virginia’s Sportsman Critical to Vote, that ran in the Potomac Local this week.

Here are a few thoughts.

I know Rob Wittman personally, he is the real deal and a stellar example of what is right in our elected officials. In the current parlance, “he gets it.”

It is very unfortunate that Mr. McAullife or his folks didn’t respond. I understand they were asked more than once.

Mr. Cuccinelli’s lack of engagement on the Jackson River case is very disappointing. I understand the state’s position, I think they are wrong and should do more. If you want to know more about what should be done, just Google Beau Beasley and Jackson River.

Beasley is correct when he writes “The problem politicians face is crafting a clear message that appeals to those potential voters without turning away many others.”

What troubles me is that other than Wittman, they show little appreciation for the economic impact outdoor recreation has in the Commonwealth and how dependent that economic activity is on public land. Outdoor recreation generates $13.6 BILLION in direct consumer spending in Virginia. Hunting and fishing account for $2.38 BILLION.

Seems like that is the foundation for a clear message that is unlikely to turn away voters.

I wonder, again other than Wittman, how much thought they have given to conservation and the environment in relation to the impact it has on our outdoor recreation economy.

Everyone who meets the candidates or elected officials should ask one simple question, “What are you doing to support the outdoor recreation economy in Virginia?”

The answers will tell you 1) if the candidate understands the importance of the outdoor recreation economy and 2) what they think can and should be done. I am afraid we may be disappointed at best and more likely troubled by the answers.

Kudos to Beasley for banging the drum.

source: http://potomaclocal.com/2013/10/22/cuccinelli-mcaullife-governors-race-reaching-virginias-sportsman-critical-vote/

Fish Water

August 20, 2013 By Tom Sadler

Imagine fishing without beer. That would almost be as bad as fishing without fish…

If you take your beer as seriously as your fishing then this post, “10 Brewing Companies That Protect Our Fish” from the boys at Gink & Gasoline is worth the read.

They take a look at brewers who give back to the resource and the list may surprise you.

Next time I tip one back I’ll be thinking about who is helping make the fishing just a little bit better.

And brewers, if you are doing something for the water resources in your area, let me know. Happy to post an addendum to the Gink and Gasoline list.

Rx for Vegas

July 14, 2013 By Tom Sadler

“Ooh, Las Vegas ain’t no place for a poor boy like me. Every time I hit your crystal city, you know you gonna make a wreck out of me.” – Gram Parsons

When I got the first text from Delta telling me that my flight home from Vegas Thursday was delayed I just knew my travel plans had started to circle the drain. I changed my flights to try and make it home, but a mechanical issue on the flight did me in. I will give Delta customer service credit they could’t have been nicer and more helpful, thanks to Kim Bailey on the phone and Georgie at the LAS check-in counter.

I was in Vegas for the AFFTA board meeting and the ICAST/IFTD trade shows. Three days of smoky hotel bars and scant periods of being outside had me more than ready for a return to the Shenandoah Valley.

Over the years I have learned to roll with travel snafus. So when I texted my buddy Chris Hunt telling him I was stuck in Vegas, his reply was “Glad your back. We’ll make the best of a bad situation ;-)”

And indeed we did!

After a quick trip back to the Convention Center to get in one more round of post show parties, I wound up eating in Chef Rick Moonen’s new restaurant Rx Boiler Room, with Hunt and Scott Hed of Sportsmen’s Alliance for Alaska fame. Rx rightly claims to be the “alchemy of food and drink.”

Hunt and the Rx ladies — Hunt and Rx ladies

The food was exceptional! I enjoyed a lobster roll that would be proudly served in Newport (he knows his rolls) matched by outstanding service. Thanks Cecila!

The drinks are as special as the menu, so don’t settle for any of your standard cocktails, enjoy what the bar wizards concoct!

The decor and outfits were created by Moonen’s talented wife Roni. Billed as Steampunk, it had this glorious pirate den feel to me.

Hed knows Moonen from their work together on the Save Bristol Bay campaign and Savor Bristol Bay. Moonen is a sustainable seafood advocate who practices what he preaches and puts his money where your mouth is.

Eating at Rx gave us a chance to say thanks to Chef Moonen for his support for protecting Bristol Bay and for being such an excellent voice for sustainable seafood.