National Parks get a multi-million £ boost
Here’s details of a deal between Britain’s 15 national parks and the Columbia sportswear group. Read more
Columbia yesterday announced a multi-million £ partnership, where all staff, including rangers, will in future be kitted out with Columbia’s eco-friendly gear, including jackets, shoes and light-weight rucksacks.
The deal, announced at a major London Press conference, will give the national parks staff English-weather- proof gear, including Columbia’s extreme jacket which is waterproof, breathable and eco-friendly, being free of PFCs (harmful perflourinated compounds. The company will also supply new, space age performance shoes and boots.The money saved by the National Parks will free up funds to invest in improvements and boosting visitor figures, which area already good as half the British population lives within an hour of a national park.
Parks in the scheme include – Brecon Beacons, Broads, Cairngorms, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Lake District, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, New Forest, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire coast, South Downs, Snowdonia and Yorkshire Dales.
Columbia was chosen for its 80-year expertise in the outdoors marker, including skiing and trekking, and have a committed policy of producing environment-friendly gear.
Columbia’s UK manager Andy Barker told us:”Columbia’s mission is to help people enjoy the parks more in what is the most-challenging and wettest weather in the world.
“Also we will gain valuable feedback from the park staff on our great gear.”
