YETI and Conservation International have joined forces to develop and execute conservation-themed initiatives for the Natural Selection Tour, as it kicks off in Jackson Hole on February 3, 2021. As part of the Natural Selection Tour’s mission to inspire a global audience to forge a deeper relationship with the outdoors, the Tour strives to be zero-waste and carbon-balanced, while integrating environmental education and advocacy efforts.
The Natural Selection Tour is the first winter sports tour to showcase the world’s top riders from Olympians to big mountain film icons. The first stop, the YETI Natural Selection at Jackson Hole will debut live on Red Bull TV this February 3-9. A manifestation of pro snowboarder Travis Rice’s wildest dreams, the Tour’s innovative format will reveal riders’ full creative expression and require a deep knowledge of backcountry conditions to reign supreme. Throughout the Tour, riders will be competing on some of the planet’s most exciting terrain at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY, Baldface Lodge, BC and Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, AK.
“Our mission is to unify and elevate winter adventure sport’s voice around sustainability, conservation and environmental education,” said Rice. “We recognize that in running a global, elite snowboarding tour, we must act responsibly in its execution, at the very least addressing its carbon impact, but also in contributing incrementally towards supporting our planet’s health. As Mother Nature is the main character with the Natural Selection Tour, we are committed to contributing to Conservation International’s amazing work and worthy mission.”
In line with the Tour’s mission to connect people with nature, the Tour is working in partnership with Conservation International to balance its event-related emissions. The Tour will support Conservation International’s Chyulu Hills carbon project in Kenya which aims to conserve and restore a forest and rangeland ecosystem that is critically important to the region’s people and biodiversity, while also providing climate mitigation. The Chyulu Hills carbon project directly benefits local communities, reduces deforestation, creates job opportunities and improves access to health services and education.
In addition to providing financial support for Conservation International’s on-the-ground efforts in Chyulu Hills, the Tour will integrate educational pieces on the work Conservation International is doing and other environmental topics within the Red Bull TV broadcasts, on social media, and through a virtual educational event series on conservation issues and ways to be an effective advocate for the environment.
As the Tour’s Official Sustainability Partner, YETI will support Conservation International’s mission, while also implementing many of the Tour’s efforts for a zero-waste event. This includes a YETI hydration station water tower and reusable YETI drinkware to be used onsite at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, which is powered with 100% renewable wind power from Horse Butte Wind Farm in neighboring Idaho. YETI and Natural Selection will also be creating limit-edition drinkware, with proceeds benefiting the Conservation International’s forest conservation and restoration efforts in places such as Brazil and Kenya.
“You can’t learn to snowboard without also learning to appreciate the beauty of the mountains and the quality of the snow,” said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International. “Snowboarding helps millions, especially younger people, to get outdoors and creates jobs across North America. We’re honored to support the Natural Selection Tour’s efforts to combat climate change and to engage millions about the critical importance of protecting nature so that we can enjoy the outdoors and the sport for generations to come.”
A Masters student and graduate from the Yale School of Environment are leading Natural Selection Tours’s strategic sustainability plan development. Conservation International and YETI are engaged in the collaborative sustainability effort to leverage each organizations’ expertise and resources.
“We are honored and humbled that Travis and the Natural Selection team have asked YETI to be a part of such an amazing event that brings together the world’s top riders in the global snowboarding community,” said Bill Neff, Vice President, Consumer Marketing at YETI. “We are proud to team up with Conservation International to promote the Natural Selection Tour’s sustainability efforts while supporting Travis and all the riders on the Tour.”
The opening event in Jackson Hole will air exclusively, free and in its entirety, on Red Bull TV, offering viewers full-access to the evolution of snowboarding. The British Columbia and Alaska stops will air as show packages on Red Bull TV. Red Bull TV is available on the web at www.redbull.tv and as an app across mobile phones, tablets, consoles, OTT devices and Smart TVs.
Like-minded partners have come together to help develop and support the Tour. Along with YETI, current partners include HempFusion, Backcountry, Red Bull, GoPro, Fuel Off-Road, Polaris, Visit Jackson Hole, Toyo Tires, Thule, along with host venues Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Baldface Lodge and Tordrillo Mountain Lodge.
Through the Industry Alliance marketing platform, endemic brands are able to directly support the events and their team riders competing on the Natural Selection Tour. Alliance members receive brand presence on streaming, broadcast and at the events, along with access to content and social assets from the Tour for marketing their team riders. The Natural Selection Tour thanks Union Binding Company, Quiksilver, Mervin Manufacturing, BOA, Burton, VANS and Oakley for being the founding members of this industry-unifying effort.
About the Natural Selection Tour
Debuting in February 2021 with stops at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming; Baldface Lodge, British Columbia; and Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, Alaska; the Natural Selection Tour will showcase the world’s top riders from Olympians to big mountain film icons all competing on the planet’s most exciting natural and naturally enhanced terrain. The best all-mountain freestyle riders in the world will move through the tour culminating with the crowning of a men’s and women’s champion at the Alaskan final. The Natural Selection Tour’s mission is to inspire people to forge a deeper relationship with Mother Nature. www.NaturalSelectionTour.com
About YETI Coolers, LLC
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, YETI is a global designer, retailer, and distributor of innovative outdoor products. From coolers and drinkware to backpacks and bags, YETI products are built to meet the unique and varying needs of diverse outdoor pursuits, whether in the remote wilderness, at the beach, or anywhere life takes our customers. By consistently delivering high-performing, exceptional products, we have built a strong following of brand loyalists throughout the world, ranging from serious outdoor enthusiasts to individuals who simply value products of uncompromising quality and design. We have an unwavering commitment to outdoor and recreation communities, and we are relentless in our pursuit of building superior products for people to confidently enjoy life outdoors and beyond. For more information, please visit www.YETI.com.
About Conservation International
Conservation International works to protect the critical benefits that nature provides to people. Through science, partnerships and fieldwork, Conservation International is driving innovation and investments in nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, supporting protections for critical habitats, and fostering economic development that is grounded in the conservation of nature. Conservation International works in 30 countries around the world, empowering societies at all levels to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet. Follow Conservation International’s work on Conservation News , Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
