Protect Our Winters (POW) is a 501c3 tax exempt organization dedicated to reversing
the global warming crisis, with a direct focus on the winter sports community.
The facts are in. Greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are now recognized as a
significant contributing factor to current warming trends in global surface temperatures.
Subsequently our winters are becoming shorter and snow pack decreasing. The winter
sports community is feeling this the hardest – the lifestyle we love is threatened,
as is the industry in general.
Launched in 2007 by snowboarder Jeremy Jones, POW’s mission is to unite the winter
sports community so that as a united front, we can make an impact on solving the climate
change issue.

Protect Our Winters focuses on initiatives that:
• Educate the entire winter sports community and build grassroots participation
• Provide funds for renewable energy projects that yield tangible results
• Open a dialogue amongst industry partners to build unity and exchange ideas
POW represents the passion and dedication of both individual members and corporate
partners who are deeply concerned about how climate change is directly impacting their
lives and who understand that the best way to impact climate change is by uniting as one.

Together We Can Protect Our Winters

“It’s time for us to take responsibility and do something, to start thinking of
ways we can make a difference.  The winter sports community has a vested
interest in protecting the environment that we might otherwise take for granted
and do our part to insure a future filled with those powder days we live for.”
-Jeremy Jones

2008-2009 Achievements

Exceeded $125,000 foundation budget
•     Reached 8,000 member mark
•     Facebook group 7,000+ members
Launched grassroots program with the film, “My Own Two Feet”, raising over $50,000 from individuals globally in support of local environmental projects
•     Installed solar panels on three mountain community schools as part of the Solar 4R Schools program
•     $5,000 grant to Center for Snow & Avalanche Studies to fund a climate change indicator study
$5,000 grant to the Wolf Ridge Environmental Center to support the development of a climate change teaching curriculum
•     $3,000 grant to the Park City Foundation to fund a community climate change website
•     Launched website 2.0 & French version
•     Brought 25 students to a local resort for a “snow day” and educational seminar
•     Launched POW Riders Alliance – giving pro riders ability to help offset climate change
•     Partnered with major snow media (TWS, Snowboard Magazine, Onboard, Method)
•     Increased contributions 100% by offering POW tÅ]shirts with $40 contribution
•     Launched bi-monthly newsletter
Produced “Generations” a short climate change film funded by The North Face

Below is an excerpt from a piece I wrote for Snowboard Magazine in December 2008

Why I started POW

It is the dead of winter and I am hiking up a grassy ski hill in Northern BC.  I AM with a local skier who IS explaining to me how he had grown up skiing on this very hill as a kid.  Unfortunately, rising  snow levels eventually forced the town to close the mountain. The thing that shock me is this guy is only in his early 30’s.  If he has seen such a drastic change in the last 30 years then what was in store for the next 30? Over the years stories like this continue to pile up. It is experiences like this that motivates me to start Protect Our Winters.

Fear

With hardly a high school education and no formal experience, the thought of starting a non profit was overwhelming.  For a few years I tried to get the idea out of my head but it would not go away.  I knew I would be an easy target for criticism, considering my world traveling, heli using, fuel consuming, and a carbon footprint the size of an elephant. But for all my environmental short comings, I felt I could use my relationships I had created to motivate other riders, companies and resorts get involved.

The Goal

POW was specifically created to provide a connection point for the entire
community and to build a collaborative effort and protect the sport we love.  To unite the winter sports community to have a direct impact on climate change. To translate my love for the mountains into an active stewardship program that includes educational initiatives and the support of renewable energy projects.

Accomplishments

Since our September 2007 inception, we have grown to 8000+ members.  Every dollar raised is invested toward projects that we feel show tangible results.

• Solar 4R Schools
• Teton Science School, Jackson, WY, Park City High School, Utah, Champlain Valley High School, Vermont
• Instillation rooftop solar panels, educational kiosks in classrooms, and
hands-on curriculums to help teach students the importance
and benefits of renewable energy

Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
– Contribution will be used to help create the first Climate Change Awareness
and Action curriculum
– Available to hundreds of teachers annually attending Wolf Ridge Environmental
Learning Center and to students attending WRELC’s Climate Change classes
– Protect Our Winters will also help distribute the curriculum to teachers globally

• POW Riders Alliance/Rainforest Initiative
– Rally the pro riders to make investment to offset the carbon footprint created for travel
to events and throughout film productions
– Burning and clearing of forests and natural habitat accounts for approximately 20
percent of global greenhouse gas emissions – that’s more than emissions from
all the world’s trucks, trains and cars.
– POW invests the pooled Riders Alliance funds to purchase and re-plant land in the
South American rainforest.

“My Own 2 Feet”
– Protect our Winters has partnered with Leeward Cinema for the release of their film on
October 2008.   “My Own Two Feet” is the first feature-length action sports film shot
entirely using sustainable methods.
– POW is using the film to raise funds for local sustainability and/or educational efforts. All donations/ticket receipts raised be donated to POW and directed to a local environmental initiative.

Reducing my own footprint

The first 15% was easy; change light bulbs, turning of electronics, use reusable water bottles, bags and coffee cups, ride my bike not just for bombing mountains but for running errands.  The next ten percent was a little harder.  Compact car, better windows, new appliances, and less airplane travel.  It would take 16 trips in a car to burn the same emissions as a plane flight of the same distance. I may be the only person who was stoked to lose my “Premier” status because of my reduction in plane travel.

Companies and Product

Myself and other riders have played a very influential ROLE on getting our sponsors involved in fighting climate change. There is a rumor that a certain pro rider sent back his paycheck to his sponsor telling them to invest the money toward running a cleaner company and to produce more sustainable products. (They did both) Most companies today offer an environmental option in their product line and are working on reducing their Carbon Footprint.   Hopefully this niche line of product becomes the norm. Every purchase is a vote with your dollars.  Reward the companies that are putting in the effort.

Together we can Protect Our Winters

Whether you drive an F450, are a heli guide, or spend more time in an airplane then a car, you can still care about the environment and make a difference.  Making simple changes to your lifestyle may not sound like much, but collectively if we all do it, it will make a difference.  The POWer lies within the numbers and POW is here to harness the power.

While we alone can’t solve climate change, the winter sports community as a whole has a responsibility to save the lifestyle we rely on. We owe it to the youth to do what we can to leave this planet better then we found it.  With your help, we can make a difference.  Log onto www.protectourwinters.org to learn more about reducing your footprint and to become a member.

Special thanks to our staff, members and partners.  Rossignol, Teton Gravity Research,  Vans, Absinthe Films, Burton, O’Neill, Lange, Dynastar, Roxy, Grand Targee Resort,  Kombi and Dakine.

Become a member at www.protectourwinters.org