GORE RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL ALLIANCE
Program to Help Volunteers and Supporters Preserve the “King of Trails”
(Elkton, Md. – May 22, 2006) W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore), today is renewing its long-standing partnership of 10 years with the Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA). This advocacy group, based in Pine, Colorado, works to preserve the natural wonders of the Continental Divide, which stretches 3,100 miles across the United States, from Mexico to Canada.
Since the CDTA’s inception in 1995, Gore has been a sponsor of the initiative contributing monetary and outerwear donations to the Alliance. As the official outerwear sponsor, Gore is participating in 2006 by donating Mountain Hardwear Swift Jackets with GORE-TEX® Paclite® and Mountain Hardwear Tech vests with WINDSTOPPER® fabric to the CDTA volunteers and dedicated supporters.
“The CDTA is a wonderful example of the power of a public and private partnership when it comes to preserving and maintaining vital natural areas,” said Steve Shuster, Brand Manager, from Gore. “We feel compelled to help now as the need is greatest and federal funding is at its least.”
With appropriate support, the goal is to complete the Continental DivideTrail by 2008, on the Trail’s 30th Anniversary. This enormous and nationally significant effort will only be completed with the help of a broad-based coalition of political interests, businesses, conservation groups, government agencies, private landowners and outdoor enthusiasts. When complete, the “King of Trails” will be the most significant trail system in the world, providing access to some of the most wild and scenic places in the world while conserving the environment and promoting well-being.
“We created the CDTA to complete and preserve this great American landmark,” said Bruce Ward, who is co-executive director of the CDTA with his wife, Paula. “Without the help of dedicated and committed sponsors like Gore, we would not be able to continue the ground-breaking work we have started and ultimately complete the project to preserve this land for future generations.”
Garments made with GORE-TEX® and WINDSTOPPER® fabric were selected because of their ability to adapt in unpredictable and changing weather conditions. The Continental Divide Trail weather conditions can rapidly change from sunny and warm in the lower elevations to windy and snow covered at 14,000 feet.
ABOUT W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES: Perhaps best known for its consumer products like GORE-TEX fabric and ELIXIR guitar strings, Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology products for the electronics, industrial, fabrics and medical markets. The company is headquartered in Newark, Delaware, and employs approximately 7500 associates in 45 facilities throughout the world. For more information about W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. and GORE products, call 1-800-431-GORE or visit www.gore-tex.com.
About the CDTA: The Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA) was formed in 1995 to assist the federal land management agencies in the completion, management and protection of the Trail.The CDTA is a 501-c(3) nonprofit organization with nearly 3,000 members working to increase public involvement, volunteer commitment and private sector support on the CDT. To date this grassroots movement has made a tremendous impact on the Trail. Nearly 7,000 volunteers have dedicated more than $3.1 million of labor, individuals, foundations and businesses have committed more than $14 million toward our efforts and 1,275 miles of the CDT has been completed.
Contact:
Cynthia Amon
W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
410 506 2647
Cell: 443-553-0333
camon@wlgore.com
GORE, GORE-TEX, PACLITE, WINDSTOPPER and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. ©2006 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., 295 Blue Ball Rd., Elkton, Maryland, 800-431-GORE, gore-tex.com