Mountain Hardwear Inc., launched its Impact Initiative, a program featuring environmentalists, thought leaders, humanitarians and storytellers, working on a collective mission to inspire people to support solutions to help protect outdoor playgrounds.

Mountain Hardwear formally kicked off the program by introducing its team of ambassadors and showcasing their projects at an event in New York City. On the same day, the brand launched its website – mountainhardwear.com/impact – where people can learn about the program and the inspiring ambassadors.

The Impact Initiative is already in motion supporting a number of people including the groups featured below.

–  Charles Post – Ecologist, storyteller and narrator for this initiative. Charles is a strong voice in the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.

–  Tashi & Nungshi Malik – Twin mountaineers from India who completed the Adventurers’ Grand Slam and skied to the North and South Pole to promote a message of gender equality.

–  Chris and Steve Boyes – Environmentalists and biologists who are working to protect the largest water system in Africa, the Okavango Delta.

–  Topher White – Physicist rigging solar panels to cell phones and installing them in tree canopies in the rainforest to pinpoint the sound of chain saws to help stop deforestation.

–  Vincent Colliard – Polar explorer on a mission to cross the world’s 20 largest glaciers to raise awareness of their rapid decline of ice caps and the impact on the connected ecosystems.

Over the next few months and years, Mountain Hardwear will continue to seek out and shine a light on the stories of people dedicating their lives to making a difference in the world through environmental and humanitarian projects.

Mountain Hardwear Inc., based in Richmond, CA, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear Co.