Protect Our Winters
Protect Our Winters (POW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that focuses its efforts on legislation regarding climate change. The nonprofit, created in 2007 by professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones, strives to turn outdoor enthusiasts into climate advocates. According to the group's mission statement, "Protect Our Winters leads a community of athletes, creative-pioneers and business leaders to achieve this mission." The organization's headquarters are located in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Policy Agenda. According to the nonprofit's Policy webpage, POW focuses its efforts on legislation regarding carbon pricing, solar, public lands, and transportation. Carbon Pricing Solar Transportation  Public Lands Activism. According to POW's website, they aim to utilize its members, partners and Alliance members in advocating for its cause. POW’s partnerships with brands and CEOs continue to grow. In 2018, POW executed two congressional briefings and three lobby days, including the highest attended annual September Lobby Day (35 attendees meeting with a total of 30 Congressional Offices). They had nine companies represented, including Alterra Mountain Company, Aspen Skiing Company, Bemis Associates, Burton, Mt. Bachelor, POWDR Corporation, Ski Utah, Smartwool, and Spyder. In December 2012, POW worked in partnership with environmental agency, Natural Resources Defense Council  to publish a study determining how climate change is affecting the economy of the winter sport and tourism industry in the United States. The organization, despite the United States federal government shutdown of 2013, sent a delegation to Washington to meet with senators and discuss the issues surrounding climate change. On December 3, 2013, POW spoke with the United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy on POW's influence on the winter sport community and POW agreed to fully support the EPA and Clean Air Act (United States). POW partnered with several Yale students to meet with winter athletes  during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Sochi to promote a more open discussion about the effects of climate change. POW also participated at a march at New York City during the UN Climate Summit of 2014. Members and Support. POW receives financial support from well known companies such as The North Face, Patagonia and CLIF Bar as well as many other corporate companies, partners, foundations, individuals and resorts.