FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 13, 2020

NATIONAL PARK TRUST TO HONOR HYDRO FLASK WITH AMERICAN PARK EXPERIENCE AWARD

Washington, D.C. (October 13, 2020) – The Board of Trustees of National Park Trust are pleased to announce that they will honor Bend, Oregon-based outdoor brand Hydro Flask with the distinguished 2020 American Park Experience Award, which honors an individual or group that has made extraordinary contributions to enhance the awareness and appreciation of our nation’s parks and public lands and waters. For the first time in the history of the award, National Park Trust will bestow this honor, not on a person, but on an organization by recognizing Hydro Flask’s innovative and impactful Parks For All giving program.

The award was presented during a virtual ceremony hosted on National Park Trust’s YouTube Live channel on Wednesday, October 21 at 6 p.m. ET/ 3 p.m. PT.

Speakers at the 2020 American Park Experience Award celebration included:

  • Grace Lee, Executive Director, National Park Trust
  • Bill Brownell, Board Chair, National Park Trust
  • Larry Witt, President, Helen of Troy Housewares (OXO & Hydro Flask)
  • Indigo Teiwes, Associate Director of Corporate Responsibility, Helen of Troy Housewares (OXO & Hydro Flask)
  • Teresa Ana Martinez, Executive Director, Continental Divide Trail Coalition
  • Eliza Sarasohn, Senior Director of Communications, The Trust for Public Land
  • Jeanne Braha, Executive Director, Rock Creek Conservancy
  • Amanda Boston, Program Coordinator, Glen Canyon Conservancy
  • Chad Pregracke, Founder & President, Living Lands & Waters
  • Hugo Tagholm, CEO, Surfers Against Sewage (UK)
  • Jaysi Ramirez, Buddy Bison Student, Ida B. Wells Middle School, Washington DC
  • Nela Grosova-Reyes, Buddy Bison Student, Bucknell Elementary, Alexandria, VA

“Hydro Flask’s Parks For All program supports non-profit organizations across the United States and globally whose missions align with building, maintaining, restoring, or providing better access to parks. With donations of $1.5 million to 92 non-profits since the program began in 2017, the impact of the company’s commitment is extraordinary and thus deserving of the American Park Experience Award,” said Bill Brownell, board chair of National Park Trust.

Hydro Flask launched its giving program Parks for All in January 2017 to support the development, maintenance, and accessibility of public lands and green spaces in the U.S. and beyond so people everywhere can live healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives. The program aims to ensure these special places get the attention and protection they deserve through on the ground activities, digital and advocacy initiatives, and social media campaigns. To date, Parks For All has supported 92 non-profits, given over $1,500,000 in cash grants, and donated more than 26,000 bottles.

“Parks For All is our way of sharing the love we have for parks and public green spaces. For us, parks and public lands represent special places that lead to more joy-filled lives: we believe that if you love a park, they’ll love you back through mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. We’re honored that our contributions have been recognized by National Park Trust and are humbled to join the distinguished ranks of American Park Experience Award winners as the first-ever organization to receive this prestigious award.”

Larry Witt, President, Helen of Troy Housewares Division

The American Park Experience Award, established in 2009, honors an individual or group that has made extraordinary contributions to enhance the awareness and appreciation of our nation’s parks and public lands and waters. Past recipients include: Sally Jewell, former Secretary of Interior (2016); Dan Biederman (2015); Ken Salazar, former U.S Senator (CO) and former Secretary of Interior (2010); and, Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan (2009)

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

National Park Trust is a non-profit dedicated to preserving parks today and creating park stewards for tomorrow. The Park Trust is the only land trust with a comprehensive mission of preserving national parks through land protection and creating a pipeline of future park stewards by connecting kids to parks. Since 1983, National Park Trust has benefitted 48 national park sites across 28 states, one U.S. Territory, and Washington, D.C. Annually, the Park Trust provides an estimated 20,000 under-served kids with park trips through their nationally recognized Buddy Bison Programs and Kids to Parks Day National School Contest, both of which support Title I schools. Find out more at www.parktrust.org.

ABOUT HYDRO FLASK

Hydro Flask® is the leader in high-performance insulated products that help people enjoy the things they love to do in the places they love to be. From the number-one-selling water bottle to soft good innovations like our Unbound Series™ Soft Coolers and Down Shift™ Hydration Packs, Hydro Flask’s delightfully simple designs and go-anywhere durability always deliver the perfect temperature when you need it. Founded in 2009 in Bend, Oregon, Hydro Flask inspires active outdoor lives with two simple words: Let’s Go! Its giving platform Parks For All supports the development, maintenance, restoration, and accessibility of public green spaces so people everywhere can live healthier, happier and more fulfilled lives. To learn more about Hydro Flask, Parks for All, and to see our full lineup of award-winning products, visit www.hydroflask.com.

Media Contact: Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org.

###