Four Easy Ways To Invest Your Dollars Back Into The Outdoors

It’s no surprise that we love the outdoors, and we know you do too. There’s nothing like watching the fog dancing on the water as the sun comes up, listening to the rumble of the river, feeling a fresh breeze brushing across your face, surrounded by pure wilderness. It got us thinking: how do we give back to these places that give us so much? Being the avid outdoor recreaftors, seasoned sportsmen, and regular users of wild spaces that we are, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite ways to help you put your pennies toward your passion and invest in the outdoors.

Conservation Organizations

Supporting and protecting the lands where we recreate is our favorite way to invest in the outdoors. There are many conservation organizations and nonprofits in the outdoor space that are focused on helping, maintaining, and growing outdoor recreation, public lands, waterways, and more. As we head to the outdoors, it’s important to consider supporting these impactful organizations that work to protect and better the outdoor spaces where we recreate through donations or memberships. Here are some of our favorites to consider investing in.

HIGH PEAKS ALLIANCE

The High Peaks Alliance is a volunteer non-profit organization made up of local hunters, hikers, birders, loggers, anglers, snowmobile and ATV riders, and more. They’ve been helping outdoor lovers in Maine work together since 2007, ensuring public access to Maine’s High Peaks Region for residents and visitors alike. The High Peaks Region encompasses around 200,000 acres of land, much of it being remote backcountry in western Maine.

Consider this organization if: You enjoy the High Peaks Region of Maine, are an outdoor recreator, or are interested in public land access and conservation.

Learn more about or donate to the High Peaks Alliance here: highpeaksalliance.org

AMERICAN RIVERS

American Rivers works to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature. They combine national advocacy with fieldwork in key river basins with a goal to deliver the greatest impact possible by working closely with local river advocates, business and agricultural interests, and recreation groups.

Consider this organization if: You're a paddler, angler, or hiker who loves recreating in, on, and around rivers. 

Learn more about or donate to American Rivers here: americanrivers.org

WATERKEEPER

Waterkeeper is the largest and fastest-growing nonprofit solely focused on clean water with a goal of “drinkable, fishable, and swimmable water everywhere.” This organization works to preserve, protect, and restore waterways by connecting over 300 local Waterkeeper groups that span six continents worldwide.

Consider this organization if: You're a paddler or angler interested in clean water. 

Learn more about or donate to River Keeper here: waterkeeper.org

DUCKS UNLIMITED

Ducks Unlimited is the world leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation. DU has conserved at least 12.5 million acres of waterfowl habitat in North America, and partners with a wide range of corporations, government organizations, landowners, and private citizens to restore and manage areas that have been degraded and prevent further degradation of existing wetlands.

Consider this organization if: You're a waterfowl hunter, angler, or outdoor enthusiast who spends time in wetlands, or are interested in wildlife conservation.

Learn more about or donate to Ducks Unlimited here: ducks.org

Visit Parks & Public Lands

Investing directly in our parks and public lands through licenses, donations, and memberships is also a great way to support the outdoors. Most dollars collected from licenses and park fees go directly back into the organizations working to protect these lands and make them more enjoyable for visitors. While cost, laws, and processes may vary from state to state, investing in parks and public lands can be a very effective way to enjoy the outdoors while supporting the lands where you recreate at the same time.

BUY A HUNTING & FISHING LICENSE

While obtaining a hunting or fishing license from the state you live in can sometimes seem like a hassle, with certain licenses only being valid for a specific amount of time, for a specific animal, or for a specific instrument, this is with good cause. The funds from hunting and fishing licenses go directly back to the lands you hunt and fish on, supporting such initiatives such as land maintenance and conservation, managing wildlife numbers, keeping rivers stocked, and making an all-around better experience for the avid sportsman.

More information about buying a state fishing and hunting license can be found here.

NATIONAL PARKS SEASON PASS

A National Parks Season Pass can take you places...really. Purchasing an ‘America the Beautiful’ season pass gets you access to all National Parks and 2,000 federal recreation sites in the United States for a full year. At the cost of $80, this pass covers the entrance fee, standard amenity fees, and all-day use fees for a driver and all passengers. The funds from these passes and donations to the National Park Service are used to continue the protection of all parks and federal sites and provide necessary care such as trail and waterway management, infrastructure upkeep, wildlife preservation, and campsite maintenance.

Purchase your park passes here: usparkpass.com

Donate to the National Park Service here: nationalparks.org

Invest in Quality Gear

Of course, you can invest in the outdoors by just getting out there. Now, we might be a little biased, but we think paddling might just be the best way. When you invest in quality gear made right here in the USA, your money goes right back into the local economy supporting jobs in the outdoor recreation industry, while also supporting the small businesses that sell our canoes and kayaks.

Twin Heron Tandem Kayak

A truly unique tandem kayak that has a wide-open cockpit and adjustable seating. The Twin Heron is perfect for families looking to connect and spend more time together in the outdoors. Going solo? No worries there. The auto-trim hull means you can adjust the seating position to trim your kayak perfectly for solo paddling. 

Learn more about the Twin Heron. 

Discovery 133 Canoe

Paddle the Discovery 133 tandem from the bow and stern web seats, pole it solo or row it effortlessly from the center and forward oar sockets. You can even outfit it with Old Town's motor mount and a small outboard, making remote fishing spots just minutes away. With a wide center seat and a generous beam, the Discovery 133 can easily accommodate three adults, or two adults, a child, and a dog. This timeless design is ready for whatever adventures you throw at it. 

Learn more about the Discovery 133. 

Old Town Lure Angler Jacket

Our favorite performance PFD was built with the kayak angler’s comfort in mind. A high-back design integrates perfectly with tall kayak seats and an AirComfort system keeps you cool on those warmer days in the sun, making long trips out on the water that much better. With zippered pockets for tackle box storage, multiple mesh-lined pockets ideal for tippets or spools, and an envelope pocket for a VHF/GPS (or even a cold beverage), this jacket makes getting out on the water that much better.

Learn more about the Lure Angler. 

Carlisle Magic Plus

The Magic Plus is a great all-around paddle for a day out on the lake or an evening on the ocean. The asymmetrical, slightly curved blade is designed for efficiency and power, easily propelling you through the water, and a lightweight shaft lets your arms take you further without getting too tired. Plus, they come in some pretty cool colors. 

Learn more about the Carlisle Magic Plus. 

Face/Neck Gaiter:

A face or neck gaiter is a simple but useful piece of apparel to bring with you on a paddle. It can work as a headband, face mask, or balaclava, and serve as protection from the sun around your head or neck, act as a cooling agent in the heat, and can even be used as a rag if things get a little messy.

Learn more about our Face & Neck Gaiter and the rest of our Old Town apparel. 

Educate Yourself

Read up! Literature can be the perfect way to educate yourself before heading out there and is another way to invest in the outdoors. These books and publications will allow you to educate yourself on the lands where you recreate, ensure you're prepared before you head out, and support other outdoor organizations.

THE MEATEATER GUIDE TO WILDERNESS SKILLS AND SURVIVAL

Written from the past experiences of Stephen Rinella, the host of Netflix’s hit show Meateater, along with the help of his crew of expert hunters, anglers, emergency-room doctors, climber, and more, The Meateater Guide to Wilderness Skills and Survival is a must for anyone looking to spend time outside. This guide touches on everything from navigation, gear recommendations, first-aid procedures, water purification, and Rinella’s favorite tips and techniques in order to make any reader feel more comfortable heading into the wild.

Buy Here: MeatEater Store

THAT WILD COUNTRY: AN EPIC JOURNEY THROUGH THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF AMERICA’S PUBLIC LANDS

As an avid hunter, angler, and outdoor enthusiast, Mark Kenyon knows a thing or two about spending time on America’s Public Lands. He uses them to the fullest and lives a life outside. With rising tensions building on the debate between resources and conservation, this book takes readers through a reflection on the past and future battles of America’s Public Lands and explores the public places we love to explore. 

Buy Here: MeatEater Store

DOG FIRST AID

No trip outdoors would be the same without our loyal four-legged friend by our side. But what happens when something goes wrong? This book explores proper first-aid techniques if the worst does occur when you’re out in the wild. With handy knowledge of symptoms and treatments for snake bites, cuts, shock, and more, you can feel confident heading out with your pup. Plus, it’s sized to fit in a pocket, so it can go anywhere you're heading next.

Buy Here: Sportsman's Warehouse