After its successful inaugural year, Granite Gear has launched the 2018 Grounds Keepers Program with new supporting sponsor Altra Running.

The 2018 team includes 25 experienced hikers with diverse backgrounds who are committed to cleaning up a minimum of 7,500 miles of trails and parks around the country in 2018. Out of hundreds of applicants, the following team members were chosen based on their hiking experience, their passion for taking care of the planet and the trails and parks they will be cleaning.

With the collective goal of removing as much trash as possible, team members include: Jenny Bruso of Unlikely Hikers, Eli Boschetto of PCT Oregon, Steve Jewett of Clean Trails, Jennifer Anne Shorr of Section Surfer, JJ Brooks, Connor “Bard” Devane, Avy “Lost N’ Found” Harris, Alyssa Hei, Brock Johnson, Amanda Kincaid, Michelle Macy, Jacob “Zen” Mattson, Gary Nelson, Tania Parra, Kat Rumbly, Alexis Rodriguez, Luke “Poncho” Scazzero, Steven “Bangarang” Snyder, Liz “Yellow Bird” Snyder, Emma Vigers, Holly Walker, Rob “Legs” Weilbacher, Dustin Whyte, Rachel Wood and another hiker who cannot be announced until the end of March.

“Our inspiration for the Grounds Keepers Program came from our athletes, the Packing It Out team, and they were the ones who connected us with Altra Running–so that feels like a very natural fit,” said Granite Gear’s VP of marketing, Rob Coughlin. “With Altra’s sponsorship, we’ll be able to better further support these 25 Grounds Keepers as they do their best to clean up trails and parks and inspire others to do the same.”

Each Grounds Keeper is outfitted with one of four ultralight Granite Gear backpacks, two stuff sacks, a dump trunk, a scale and gloves and two pairs of Altra Running shoes. To keep up with the Grounds Keepers and learn about the 2017 and 2018 Grounds Keepers teams (#GroundsKeeper4Life), visit www.thegroundskeepers.org follow along on Instagram @TheGroundsKeepers.

Granite Gear (@GraniteGear) and Altra Running (@AltraRunning) will also be sharing content about the Grounds Keepers often.