OUR PRIORITIES
Prioritizing Recreation Investments
Increased and direct investment in outdoor recreation projects and programs in support of improved infrastructure, stewardship, and equal access to outdoor recreation for all Californians.
- Pursue and advocate for funding related to recreation infrastructure, including investments in parks, trail maintenance, transportation, education, and new parks in under-parked communities.
- Support funding for conservation of California public lands, waters, and equitable access to them, including resource planning as well as climate resilience and adaptation for recreation infrastructure affected by fire, snow, flood, and coastal access. Where appropriate, support federal public lands policy as it relates to California, including forest service regional planning, Land and Water Conservation Fund distributions, wildfire mitigation, and flood control.
Program Development
Build coalitions of industry professionals, nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to educate state and local policymakers about the benefits of the outdoor recreation economy in their communities and promote local and state investment in the outdoor recreation industry in California.
- Support the creation of a California Office of Outdoor Recreation to help people, businesses, and communities flourish through California’s great outdoors.
- Promote educational programs that create opportunity for all experience levels of outdoor recreation. Promote equitable access, education, gear libraries, every kid in a park, and other programs.
- Collaborate on programs supporting economic development around outdoor recreation, including job creation, job training, and identifying and supporting outdoor recreation economies in rural communities.
Enabling Business Success
Educate Sacramento and California legislators on the substantial economic contributions the outdoor industry makes to the California economy and the role regulation plays in helping and hindering the outdoor recreation economy.
- Support and direct efforts to quantify impacts of the active outdoor industry, secure improved funding for research related to outdoor recreation financial impact, health benefits, participation, and demographic trends.
- Simplify and streamline regulations and policy affecting the active outdoor industry.
Our Members
The California Outdoor Recreation Partnership (CORP) is a membership organization of businesses and advocates in California’s growing and vibrant active outdoor recreation industry.
Members represent apparel and gear companies, retailers, sales and merchandising professionals, outdoor education and recreation program providers, and the entire ecosystem of organizations powered by and reliant on a healthy, accessible outdoor recreation infrastructure in the state.
Our Vision
As practitioners and leaders in the greater outdoor recreation industry, CORP is dedicated to ensuring that lawmakers and land managers recognize and promote the economic, educational, environmental, public health and social benefits that the outdoor recreation economy brings to California.
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Our Board
Our board members represent apparel and gear companies, retailers, sales and merchandising professionals, outdoor education and recreation program providers, and the entire ecosystem of organizations powered by and reliant on a healthy, accessible outdoor recreation infrastructure in the state.
Matt Lyon
HydraPak LLC
Matt Lyon is the President of HydraPak LLC, an Oakland-based manufacturer of outdoor hydration products since 2001. He was one of the founding members of CORP in 2017."I believe there is a need for our industry to organize and be represented within California, and this is a chance for me to personally contribute to the industry that has given so much support to us over the years."
Scott Ammons
REI
Scott Ammons is the REI Outdoor Programs and Experience Manager for Southern California. In that role he produces outdoor experiences and events, builds community, grows strategic partnerships, supports open space and advocates for outdoor participation for all. He is a former guide and outdoor educator."For large portions of California—both rural and urban—there is a real lack of access to parks and open spaces. We know parks produce important social and community benefits—they make neighborhoods more livable and create opportunities for recreation like walking, biking, connecting with nature. It can really boost the quality of life to have access to open spaces, green spaces or parks in your local community. I joined CORP to help increase access and grow outdoor participation throughout the state".
Danica Carey
Seirus
Danica Carey is the Director of Marketing Operations at Seirus Innovative Accessories, a family run company based in San Diego manufacturing cold weather protection for your head, hands and feet. In this role she has helped the brand develop and launch products that bring technical gear to any type of outdoor enthusiast. Her lifetime in the outdoors has been mirrored by a longstanding passion for traditional sports which took her to the University of Nebraska for her collegiate soccer career. Having always been a sports & outdoor enthusiast, she continues to pursue that passion through soccer, ranching, skiing and just about everything in between.“California has so much to offer us in the outdoors, from the western coastline to the eastern deserts and the mountains and forests in between, there is so much room to play and explore a diverse range of activities and landscapes. Mountains, open land and sea are all within hours of each other. It is such a unique resource that we need to actively maintain and advocate for.”
Kenji Haroutunian
The Big Gear Show
Kenji Haroutunian is an independent agent for change focused on events and the great outdoors experience. Kenji’s acumen for business comes from 33-years in outdoor org management and teaching outdoor skills (including advanced climbing and wilderness navigation courses) during/after completing his Geography/Environmental Policy degree at UCLA. In 1999 he began working for Outdoor Retailer, building an authentic brand story and growing the business into one of the premier b2b shows in the world. In 2011 he was elevated to Vice President for Nielsen Expo, directing the Outdoor Sports group. Kenji has spearheaded industry-focused programs, like FundSource OR, the Project OR design competition, Green Steps, The OR Virtual Design Center, Backcountry Base Camp, and the Business of Backcountry Forums, all of which help attract core athletes, media and designers to the show and adds to the bottom line. A 2010 Access Fund ‘Sharp End’ awardee, Kenji serves on the Board of Directors of the Access Fund, is President Emeritus of the Friends Of Joshua Tree and is a founding director of TeccSociety, an events-industry technology organization.
Jamie Furrer
CamelBak
Jamie Lynn Furrer is the Ecommerce Account Manager and Advocacy Ambassador at CamelBak Products. Based in Petaluma, CamelBak’s mission is to continuously invent new water carry solutions for active lifestyles. Jamie has been advocating for public lands protections and equitable access at both the federal and state level on behalf of CamelBak for over 6 years. Some of the proudest moments in her career are joining other outdoor brands and lobbying for legislative priorities of our industry. You can find Jamie on her bike most weekends, on the back country roads of Sonoma County, or hiking with her dog on the many trails the bay area offers.“California has always been home to me. Although I have lived in other states, California always calls me back. It is never lost on me how incredible it is to have the opportunity to explore such an array of different landscapes so close to home. I believe that prioritizing access to these public spaces should always be a focal point of our industry and that all California residents should have the opportunity to connect to the natural world. I am excited to be apart of the collective voice of CORP to support enhancing accessibility to our state’s public lands.”
Shannon Fender
VF Corporation
Shannon Fender is Senior Manager for State Government Affairs at VF Corporation, parent company of the world’s leading portfolio of active-lifestyle brands including The North Face and Vans. In this role, Shannon is responsible for building and executing the organization’s national state government affairs strategy, enhancing VF’s reputation with government officials, and influencing regulation and legislation impactful to VF and its family of brands. Over the course of her career in politics and public policy, she has served as both an in-house and contract lobbyist and has overseen government relations, public affairs, and business development strategies in multiple states. Shannon is a Colorado native and is a lover of Denver’s beautiful and robust park system.
Cassandra Prenn-Vasilakis
Hipcamp
Cassandra Prenn-Vasilakis began her career in wilderness restoration and political organizing, and has worked as an outdoor guide and educator in California, Minnesota, and Vermont. She is currently the Senior Manager for Government and Community Relations at Hipcamp, a California-based company that partners with rural communities and private landowners to fund conservation with outdoor recreation, drive economic development, and expand access to the outdoors."California’s natural beauty draws people in — to live, work, and play — and its natural resources are the foundation upon which our outdoor recreation industry is built. I look forward to working with CORP to invest in and grow California’s thriving outdoor industry, to ensure stewardship of its incredible outdoor spaces, and to expand access to recreation opportunities throughout the state."
Yvonne Leow
Bewilder
Yvonne Leow is the CEO of Bewilder, an outdoor education company based in Los Angeles. She also serves as an advisory board member for Outdoor Recreation Roundtable's Together Outdoors Initiative. In 2022, she participated in REI's inaugural Embark program for outdoor founders of color. In a previous chapter, she was an editor at The Associated Press, Vox.com, and the former president of the Asian American Journalists Association."California is not only my home state, but it's also where I fell in love with nature. It's an honor to be working in the outdoor industry to promote environmental education and equitable access for all."
Lexie Gritlefeld
Director
Lexie Gritlefeld has been the Director of California Outdoor Recreation Partnership since January 2023 and is currently our sole staff member. Prior to this role, Lexie was our Membership Coordinator for three years. Lexie primarily works on advocacy communication strategies, membership recruitment and retention, and our policy and industry networking events. Lexie came to the outdoor industry after working in politics, government, and public affairs. While working in politics, Lexie discovered a passion for outdoor recreation and conservation policy and is very stoked to work on CORP's advocacy campaigns. Lexie is a graduate of University of California, Davis with a degree in Political Science and English and a minor in International & Global Studies. After hours, Lexie is passionate about alpine and backcountry skiing, hiking, and rock climbing."As I was born and raised in California, I've seen a big change in the outdoor recreation scene over the years. I look forward to seeing a more inclusive outdoor environment and increasing access responsibly to our public lands. My biggest motivation is that I believe the outdoors should be welcome for all to explore."