Old Town Angler Scores Big On Trash

Since its founding, Johnson Outdoors' core mission and legacy has been to inspire people to get outside to discover the awe and wonder of the great outdoors, whether on the water, the trail, or the campsite. As outdoor enthusiasts, Johnson Outdoors understands the importance of leaving the Earth better than how we found it. That is why Johnson Outdoors partnered with the National Wildlife Federation on the Clean Earth Challenge to clean up one million pieces of debris from our waterways and ecosystems.

To accomplish this goal, Johnson Outdoors and the National Wildlife Federation hosted cleanup events across the country, inviting employees and friends to get outside to clean up the places we love to recreate. 

In May 2022, Johnson Outdoors partnered with Salt Life and Fishing Chaos to host a virtual cleanup event. Participants logged and submitted each piece of trash using the Fishing Chaos app, much like you do when competing in a virtual catch-photo-release fishing tournament. Several members of Old Town's pro staff team participated in the virtual cleanup event, but one stood out amongst the others. Pro staff member David Simmons, an Akron, Ohio resident, jumped at the chance to participate in the virtual Clean Earth Challenge cleanup. "In 2021, I participated in an Earth Day cleanup event. I was shocked by how much trash I found, especially on the water's edge. I realized that I needed to do more," explained Simmons. "So when Johnson Outdoors presented the challenge, I knew I could make an immediate impact in my local area."

And an impact he made. Throughout the virtual Clean Earth Challenge cleanup, Simmons collected an astounding 2,931 pieces of trash. "A lot of people in my area were interested in what I was doing. As a result, I had a lot of community help properly disposing of the trash I collected. I'm already thinking about how I could get more people in my community involved for next year." Old Town awarded Simmons a new kayak, PFD, and paddle to honor his great effort. 

To learn more about the Clean Earth Challenge and how you can get involved, visit: https://cleanearthchallenge.com/.