Patagonia has just become the first retailer to pull out of a big industry trade show in Utah to protest state leaders’ efforts to strip federal protection of public land.
The company’s announcement Tuesday came after its founder, Yvon Chouinard, wrote an open letter last month urging Utah governor Gary Herbert to stop trying to undo the decision by former president Obama to create the Bears Ears National Monument.
Chouinard published the letter during the Outdoor Retailer trade show, which attracts hundreds of companies to Salt Lake City twice a year, and warned that the company will stop attending the show unless Herbert shows “the outdoor industry that he wants our business – and that he supports thousands of his constituents of all political persuasions who work in jobs supported by recreation on public lands.”
Last Friday, Herbert signed a resolution asking US President Donald Trump to strip Bears Ears of its national monument designation.
Patagonia wasn’t the only prominent retailer to call out Utah for fighting against the interest of the outdoor industry. The founder of climbing and ski equipment retailer Black Diamond, Petre Metcalf, wrote an opinion piece in the Salt Lake Tribune that called on the trade show to leave Utah.
In a statement announcing Patagonia’s departure from the trade show, Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario said the company is “confident other outdoor manufacturers and retailers will join us in moving our investments to a state that values our industry and promotes public lands conservation.” The trade show organizer said it will be reviewing options for the event’s location next year, but has not ruled out Utah.
Herbert’s action reflects a broader movement by Republicans in the state and in Congress to transfer federal land to states and private owners for more oil, gas and mining development. Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz introduced a bill last month to sell off 3.3m acres of federal land before withdrawing it a week later after facing strong criticism from environmentalists and outdoors enthusiasts including hunters and fishermen.
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