JACKSON, WY (September 3, 2015) -- Yvon Chouinard, the climbing pioneer, fly fisherman, environmentalist and entrepreneur whose outdoor-clothing company Patagonia has advanced sustainability ethics for decades, and who recently launched Patagonia Provisions, a food company that uses sustainably sourced food to foster positive change in the food industry, will help anchor the two final evening programs of the 2015 SHIFT Festival.
On Friday, Oct. 9, Mr. Chouinard will participate in a conversation with Vertical Harvest
founder Nona Yehia and New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman following Bittman’s presentation at The People’s Banquet.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, Mr. Chouinard will MC the Adventure, Inspired, film program, exploring the topic of engagement by adventure athletes whose exploits are chronicled in the evening’s films.
Both programs will benefit immensely from Mr. Chouinard’s participation, according to Christian Beckwith, SHIFT’s director.
“With SHIFT, we’re trying to strengthen the role of outdoor recreation in the future of our wild places,” said Beckwith. “Yvon has built his entire life around the idea that we need to actively engage in protecting the places in which we love to play.”
Mr. Chouinard’s recent launch of Patagonia Provisions leaves him well positioned to participate in the discussion with Mr. Bittman, where he’ll bridge the conversation between outdoor recreation and food.
Mr. Bittman’s work explores industrial agriculture as both a health risk and a major driver of climate change. Bittman’s core messages—that food and things related have the power to make or break not only our personal health, but that of the planet—will frame his presentation at SHIFT.
Bittman’s sentiments are shared by Mr. Chouinard.
“Instead of waiting for some miraculous, high-tech solution to bail us out of our climate-change disaster, the real miracle turns out to be simply working with nature instead of against it,” Chouinard says. “Our grasslands, and the soil beneath them, might just save the world.”
“SHIFT is built around the premise that active engagement with the outdoors is critical to the future of our planet,” said Beckwith. “We showcase that engagement at SHIFT with film and food.
“Yvon is at the forefront of both the outdoor recreation/conservation partnership and the use of food as a catalyst for change. Who better to help conduct the conversation at SHIFT than him?”
Tickets for both programs may be purchased here.
