Protect Our Winters (POW) hosted their annual Global Summit in Austria, bringing together POW international chapters from across Europe. Founded in the United States in 2007 by professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones, the nonprofit organization is now expanding its focus to Europe, where regional chapters will push for systemic political solutions to climate change by engaging the outdoor community in climate advocacy.
Both Burton Snowboards and Nidecker Group—on behalf of Nidecker and Jones Snowboards—used the POW Global Summit to commit to supporting POW’s work in Europe, each donating $50,000 US Dollars to the organization. The donations will support POW in their efforts to build a comprehensive strategy for the diverse European market, grow their regional POW chapters and cover upfront costs.
Jake Black, POW’s Program Manager in Boulder, Colorado, oversees the efforts of the European chapters. “Every country in our European coalition is working hard to reduce its emissions, but all are coming up short due to a variety of limitations. We believe that by creating a multiyear strategic plan that provides a regional vision, each country can then develop their own plans that leverage the outdoor community in influencing systemic political solutions to help reduce emissions,” said Black. “Europe is ripe for climate action and POW aims to add value to the movement by bringing the outdoor community to the table.”
Burton Snowboards’ Co-CEO Donna Carpenter, Nidecker Group CEO Henry Nidecker and Jones Snowboards’ Brand Manager Xavier Nidecker were in attendance at the two-day summit in Innsbruck.
In her opening remarks, Carpenter shared insights about Burton’s collaboration with POW—a partnership that began in 2013—focusing on the brand’s federal lobbying efforts, advocating for state-level carbon pricing legislation and, more recently, becoming a founding member of POW Canada in September of 2018.
“After working closely with POW in the U.S. for many years, it is time to expand our common focus to Europe to help POW grow and evolve,” said Donna Carpenter. “We are proud to support their cause as it aligns with our mission to invest in sustainability and protect our natural playgrounds.”
The Nidecker and Jones team played a key role in the summit workshops, which focused on developing in-country organizational structures and helping POW athletes learn how to best engage with their audiences on climate change.
“Sustainability has been at the core of our mission since the foundation of Jones by Jeremy Jones. It’s an honor to partner with POW as they unite people across industries, cultures and geographies to fight together on behalf of our planet,” said Xavier Nidecker, brand manager of Jones Snowboards.
“It’s important to us that POW Europe has the resources they need to accelerate the European transition to sustainability,” said Henry Nidecker, Xavier’s brother and CEO of Nidecker Group. “This donation is an investment in all of our futures.”
With the upcoming 2020 elections, POW’s current efforts in the United States are focused on passing state-level climate legislation and leveraging passionate outdoor constituents in key geographies with hopes of mobilizing voters. POW’s work in the U.S. will serve as the foundational strategy for European chapters who will mimic their use of high-profile influencers and brands to mobilize the community.
About POW
Protect Our Winters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that turns passionate outdoor people into effective climate advocates. Founded by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones in 2007, Protect Our Winters leads a community of athletes, creative-pioneers and business leaders to affect systemic solutions to climate change. For more information, visit www.protectourwinters.org.
About Burton Snowboards
In 1977, Jake Burton Carpenter founded Burton out of his Vermont barn and has dedicated his life to snowboarding ever since. Burton has played a pivotal role in growing snowboarding from a backyard hobby to a world-class sport by creating ground-breaking products, supporting a team of top snowboarders and pushing resorts to allow snowboarding. Today, Burton designs and manufactures industry-leading products for snowboarding and the snowboard lifestyle, including snowboards, boots, bindings, outerwear and layering as well as year-round apparel, packs/bags and accessories. Privately held and owned by Jake and his wife, Burton Co-CEO Donna Carpenter, Burton’s headquarters are in Burlington, Vermont with offices in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Canada and China. For more information, visit www.burton.com . Follow our line at facebook.com/burtoneurope and on Instagram @burtonsnowboardseurope.
About Nidecker Group
The Nidecker Group is home to the most innovative and inspirational snowboards brands: Nidecker, Yes., Jones, Now and Flow. We create, operate, and accelerate industry-leading brands internationally with one goal: to inspire and enable athletes to lead the progression of their sport in a sustainable manner. Founded in 1887 in the Swiss Alps and one hundred percent family owned, every generation has been fueled by a passion for innovation and action sports. We began our story as master craftsmen, making wooden wheels and tables before moving on to sleds and cross-country skis. In 1912 we started manufacturing alpine skis, then water skis, monoskis and finally snowboards in 1984. Today, we are the oldest action sports company in the world and have built highly successful brands, which have played an integral role in the evolution of every industry in which we’ve been involved for over five generations. For more information, visit www.nidecker.group
About Jones Snowboards
Snowboarding pioneer Jeremy Jones founded Jones Snowboards with one goal: To make the ultimate snowboarding gear that balances unmatched performance and durability with industry leading sustainable manufacturing practices. The clarity and inspiration one absorbs in the mountains is essential to all things Jones. Our products reflect endless winters filled with bell-to-bell resort days, pre-dawn skin tracks, first descents and weeks spent camping out under the stars and summits. We field test, then tweak and refine our mountain born designs working with cutting edge materials and groundbreaking construction techniques. Our quiver includes snowboards, splitboards, bindings, backpacks, poles, mountain safety gear and sustainably sourced apparel. No matter where you roam or how you ride, Jones Snowboards has everything you need for your next adventure. For more information, visit www.jonessnowboards.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @jonessnowboards
