Leave No Trace Will Team with Google and Access Fund at Summer Outdoor Retailer Show

Denver, Colorado: The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is joining forces with technology giant Google for the Summer Show at Outdoor Retailer, North America’s largest trade show for the outdoor industry. The Access Fund will also be joining the party—both non-profits are based in Boulder, Colorado.

Each organization will debut an original storytelling project on Google Earth, which combines high-resolution maps and dynamic flyover views with videos, still photography and text. Presentations and gear giveaways to benefit both non-profits will be held daily at their shared space inside the lobby of the Denver Convention Center, directly under the giant bear sculpture.

Google is supplying a 10X12-foot "Earth Wall," a high-resolution video display to broadcast the screenings of the stories. “The Google Earth Outreach Team is dedicated to using geospatial tools to help inspire a deeper appreciation of the planet,” says Google Program Manager Dusty Reid. “We want to support the outdoor recreation community because the people who use lands for recreation are also passionate about land stewardship. We are excited to provide nonprofits with access to mapping information and assist them with place-based storytelling.”

The Center’s story explores efforts to reduce waste and achieve zero-landfill status in Denali, Grand Teton and Yosemite National Parks, while the Access Fund’s piece focuses on the effort to protect climbing access in the face of reductions to Bears Ears and other national monuments in the U.S.

“It’s incredibly exciting that Google is putting a spotlight on Leave No Trace at the biggest event in our industry,” says Dana Watts, the Center’s Executive Director. “The story provides a stunning representation of the ways our research teams partner with national parks to help improve visitor experience and protect natural resources.”

The Leave No Trace and Access Fund Google Earth stories will be presented on Tuesday, July 24 at 4 PM, with representatives from Google on hand to discuss the partnership with Leave No Trace and the Access Fund. The Earth Wall will be on display throughout the show, broadcasting additional Earth stories, and helping the organizations to host a variety of fundraiser events. See below for a full schedule of events and gear giveaways.

Monday, July 23 | 4-5:30 PM

Live Draw with Jeremy Collins: Fundraiser for Access Fund and Leave No Trace

Location: Beneath the Blue Bear at the Access Fund / Leave No Trace / Google Booth

Watch famed artist Jeremy Collins create a visual masterpiece—one that you can take home. Join Access Fund and Leave No Trace for a live rendering on Google’s Earth Wall. Pre-order the poster that Jeremy will create onsite for $20. Plus, snag a YETI 10-ounce Lowball filled with Upslope beer for $10. All proceeds will benefit Access Fund and Leave No Trace.

Tuesday, July 24 | 2:30 PM

Google Street View Info Session

Location: Beneath the Blue Bear at the Access Fund / Leave No Trace / Google Booth

Create your own Street View: find out how to record Street View where it's missing today—including hiking trails and roads less traveled—and publish it on Google Earth and Google Maps for the rest of world to view.

Tuesday, July 24 | 4 PM

Great Gear Giveaway and Leave No Trace/Access Fund Voyager Stories

Location: Beneath the Blue Bear at the Access Fund / Leave No Trace / Google Booth
Get your raffle tickets for one of the biggest gear giveaways at the Summer Market (must be present to win), with all proceeds to benefit Access Fund and Leave No Trace. Plus, check out the Leave No Trace and Access Fund original Earth Voyager stories on the Earth Wall display.

Wednesday, July 25 | 9-10 AM

Coffee in Yosemite with Tommy Caldwell

Location: Beneath the Blue Bear at the Access Fund / Leave No Trace / Google Booth
Grab a coffee with legendary climber Tommy Caldwell and listen while he takes us on a stunning tour of The Nose on the Google Earth Wall. Purchase a Klean Kanteen 8-ounce tumbler with Alpine Start coffee or CUZA tea for $10 and sip away while enjoying the Access Fund and Leave No Trace Google Earth stories. All proceeds will benefit Access Fund and Leave No Trace.

Wednesday, July 25 | 4-5:30 PM

Happy Hour with the Tempest Two and the Great Gear Giveaway

Location: Beneath the Blue Bear at the Access Fund / Leave No Trace / Google Booth
The Tempest Two has dedicated their lives to proving that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. Join them for a beer and learn what it takes to row across the Atlantic, to motorbike from London to the Sahara, or to complete an ultra-triathlon in Patagonia. Custom glasses, filled with Olympia beer, are available for $5. All proceeds will benefit Access Fund and Leave No Trace.

Media Contacts: Mark Eller for Leave No Trace [email protected]; Heather McGonegle for Access Fund [email protected]; Mara Harris for Google; [email protected]