We believe the outdoors are for everyone. That’s why we teamed up with Patagonia to award $6,000 to area programs that support environmental and stewardship education for local kids and teens. You helped us by voting in the Winter of Love poll for your favorite organizations and — wow! — 5,147 votes later, we’re happy to announce the winners.
The North Carolina Arboretum’s ecoEXPLORE takes the top spot with 2,513 votes. ecoEXPLORE is an incentive-driven program that engages K-8 students in guided and self-directed citizen science activities. Students engage as active participants as they record observations of organisms found in their neighborhoods, libraries, and at the Arboretum. They’ll receive a check for $2,500 and a $500 gift card.
Finishing a very close second is RiverLink with 2,276 votes. RiverLink delivers K-12 watershed education at no cost to schools within the French Broad River Watershed. Through hands-on and fun experiences, students leave lessons with the knowledge and skills to care for their watershed. We’re sending them a check for $1,500 and a $250 gift card.
In third, The North Carolina Youth Conservation Corps (NCYCC) is a comprehensive youth development program that uses the natural world as a platform for teaching environmental stewardship, job and life skills, leadership, community service, and personal responsibility. They’ll receive a check for $1,000 and a $250 gift card to support their work.
Since opening WNC’s original outdoor store in 1964, community support has been an important tenant of our success and one of our guiding principals. Join us on March 18 at our store on 1378 Hendersonville Road for Campapalooza, a celebration of our history and a showcase of 2017’s hottest gear. We’ll have giveaways, package discounts, one-day-only deals, outdoor education from some of the best in the business, and more. We’ll also present checks to the local organizations listed above and others.
Everyone who cast a vote was also entered to win a $100 gift card to Diamond Brand Outdoors. Congratulations to Wayne S. of Asheville!
We’re blown away by the response. It’s great to be part of a community dedicated to making sure the next generation of adventurers are developed through the ability to get outdoors and run, jump, play, and explore! #AdventureIsLocal
