Protect Our Winters

Welcome, Ryan! We are thrilled to announce Ryan Laemel as Protect Our Winters's Chief Operating Officer. Ryan joins us from Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a globally recognized nonprofit focused on market-based solutions to the energy transition, as well as Third Derivative, an RMI-launched accelerator for climate-tech startups with nearly 200 companies in its portfolio. "We're excited to welcome Ryan Laemel as POW's first Chief Operating Officer," shared Erin Sprague, CEO at Protect Our Winters. "Ryan's entrepreneurial experience, decarbonization expertise, and human-centered leadership will be mission critical in growing POW's outdoor movement for climate impact."   Ryan's journey to POW is not just professional, but personal.  After a decade in climate and energy, he is thrilled to join the POW team. His passion for the outdoors as a climber, trail runner and skier, combined with his professional experience, makes him uniquely positioned to lead in this COO role. "While we're making strides on economics in the climate race, we must continue to progress on people, places, and politics," says Ryan. "POW is committed to rallying the outdoor community to support elected leaders who are climate champions, pass policies, and share stories to protect our planet."   POW is the outdoor movement for climate impact, led by the world's most inspirational athletes, scientists, creatives, and brands through training, advocacy, and narrative. We help the Outdoor State, the 168 million Americans who recreate outside, turn into advocates to protect the places and experiences they love from climate change.   As our new COO, Ryan will be pivotal in overseeing operations, financial planning, trainings, events, Athlete and Science Alliances, and Team POW, POW's member program. His leadership will be instrumental in driving our mission forward. Based in Basalt, CO, Ryan is a passionate outdoor advocate who embodies the spirit of our organization. Join us in welcoming Ryan!

Join us for a special online Lunch & Learn session on July 10th at 10am MST, hosted by POW Athlete Alliance skier Drew Petersen and keynote speaker Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH). Go in the weeds with us on the Energizing Our Communities Act (EOCA), which aims to unlock the 1400 GW of potential energy made available through the Inflation Reduction Act. The EOCA bill supports investing revenue from certain federal Department of Energy loan programs into communities, including tribal governments, that host critical transmission infrastructure. From inception to the introduction, learn how POW has led the way in ensuring our ability to scale clean energy rapidly. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gawnUTr6

💙 Our new documentary is here! 🌊 Dive into #ShapedbyWater to explore how the ocean intertwines with our daily lives and the world surrounding us - from the highest mountains to the darkest depths and every facet in between 🌎 #ShapedbyWater delves into this profound connection between humans and water in its different natural forms through the eyes of some of the world’s most inspiring outdoor athletes. 🎬 This film was produced by 11th Hour Racing and presented in collaboration with Protect Our Winters.

We LOVE when climb athletes engage in our work here at POW. It proves to us that our work goes beyond snow. Even, beyond outdoor sports. Clean air and clean water is a fundamental human right. Anyone can be advocates for those things. We are excited to announce some new athletes on our Climb Alliance – Emma Hunt, Nathan Monte, Cloe Coscoy, and Jesse Grupper. These athletes have big years ahead of them. Follow along. Photos: Jeremiah Watt

Last week, POW teamed up with Progression in Park City, Utah, to host a pitch event focused on clean energy innovation! Progression’s mission is to uncover innovative startups that align with materially advancing a non-profit’s core purpose. This year, POW took the spotlight as the featured nonprofit, and the event brought together cutting-edge climate change solutions and investors interested in funding their work. In collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Venture Capital Association, Progression scouted out the top startups, ultimately selecting six standout companies to present their game-changing ideas. Additionally, professional skier and POW Athlete Alliance member Amie Engerbretson delivered an inspiring keynote address, and an insightful panel discussion delved into the future of clean energy investing. Huge shoutout to POW staff and Alliance Members in attendance. The day was a whirlwind of innovation, inspiration, and impactful connections! Read more takeaways from the event: https://lnkd.in/gEujJfCF

Our 2nd Strava challenge of 2024 has officially begun. Come celebrate the solstice with us! ☀️🏃♂️❄️ From June 20th to July 10th, complete 400 minutes of activity (~20 min/day). Earn a brand new POW badge and a chance to win prizes from us some of our Brand Partners: Skullcandy Inc. DOMA Coffee Roasting Company Sanuk Join us to get moving and connect with your outdoor spaces. And.. don’t forget to press record. 😉 The challenge: https://bit.ly/3RsJLw5

Are young people talking about climate enough?? “‘Maybe one day,’ I thought. I wondered if I’d ever be prepared enough to go.” - Bea Kim, POW Alliance Member and Professional Snowboarder Bea’s FIRST DC fly-in. 👏 While our Lobby Day recaps often depict the quintessential POW banner photo on the steps of Capitol Hill, there’s a lotttt more that goes into the success of these trips. Planning, prep work, training, and not to mention, the actual lobbying … often running from meeting to meeting, speaking with public officials, and telling our climate stories. This is hard work. Thankfully, we work with a group of passionate, driven Alliance Members who consistently show up for this cause and their communities. As a young pro snowboarder on the circuit, Bea’s point of view is crucial to the movement, joining us in D.C. AND the United Nations engagement earlier this year. “I realized in real time that continuing to show up for this cause matters, especially as a young person” Read more from Bea:

What a festival put on by Outside! Some POW specific highlights we are feeling very proud of: We watched Founder Jeremy Jones join a panel with Indigenous activist Quannah Chasinghorse and wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, PhD, each discussing their individual journeys to purpose. Creative Alliance members Sofia R Jaramillo and MING POON both showcased photo exhibits in the Denver Art Museum. A HUGE deal. Sofia showcased her project, ‘A New Winter,’ where she has reimagined the history of the ski industry, featuring all BIPOC models in her photos. Ming took us on a journey with ‘Education Unbound,’ portraying his photographs from his time with Brennan Lagasse in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. POW Trail Athlete Peyton Thomas screened a POW AAA Grant project, ‘Breath of Gloster.’ Released last year, this film gives a voice to the community of Gloster, Mississippi in a grassroots fight against the wood pellet biomass industry. Throughout the weekend, we were STOKED to have a big presence on many climate, advocacy, and policy panels / conversations. Shoutout to POW Alliance, board members, staff, and brand partners for representing our work. And much, more more. We can’t wait for next year! Thanks, Outside! Photos from MING POON.

Introducing the Strava x Protect Our Winters global challenge - The Solstice with POW ☀️🏃♂️❄️ The Solstice is just around the corner. From June 20th to July 10th, POW is hosting a brand new challenge to bring in the new season. The challenge: over a span of 21 days, record 400 minutes of movement (around 20/minutes a day). This can be walking, running, biking, hiking… anything that makes you feel good! 🏆 If you complete, you will receive a brand new badge and a chance to win a POW Merch Pack and prizes from some of your favorite outdoor brands.🏆 At Protect Our Winters, we advocate and campaign for the protection of all seasons, all year round. Pre sign up for the challenge is now LIVE: https://bit.ly/3RsJLw5

Your impact is DOUBLED this month with POW’s 400K climate donation match! POW is the outdoor movement for climate impact, led by the world’s most inspirational athletes, scientists, and brands. Like iconic athlete and POW board member, Jessie Diggins. Elections in 2024 are considered a “make or break” for climate. Our most significant barriers to driving more progress in 2024 are urgency and resources. This month, two of our donors have stepped up in a massive way. For the next four weeks, they are offering to match new donations up to $400,000. Any donation to POW in this timeframe will double your impact and be a major driver toward protecting the places we love. Here are the top 5 ways your donation will directly make an impact: 🗳️ Stoke The Vote 📜 Pass climate legislation 🏔️ Protect public lands campaigns 📢 Share stories to inspire action 📕 Educate and train on climate Support POW in continuing to build on this critical work in a crucial year for climate. Thank you in advance for your support - donate today: https://bit.ly/4c3A66N - Your friends at POW