KEEN and Jerry Garcia Unite to Fight Climate Change New Limi

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KEEN and Jerry Garcia Unite to Fight Climate Change
New Limited-Edition Footwear Collection to Benefit the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, The Earth’s Largest Temperate Rainforest

“Somebody has to do something, and it’s incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.”
–Jerry Garcia, Rainforest Benefit Concert Press Conference, September 1988

KEEN x Garcia Collection Expands with Individually Numbered Collector’s Limited- Edition KEEN Newport Sandals and KEEN Slip-Ons and Sneakers with Garcia’s Artwork Available April 22

KEEN Auctions Limited-Edition Newport Sandal #420 On April 20;
All Proceeds To Benefit The Wilderness Society

Following the 2020 launch of the KEEN x Garcia product line, KEEN, Inc., in partnership with the Jerry Garcia Family, today announces the expansion of the collection that combines Jerry Garcia’s artwork with KEEN’s iconic Newport sandal, KEEN Yogui Slip-On, and KEEN Elsa Lite Sneaker with a portion of sales donated to The Wilderness Society’s ‘Protect The Tongass’ campaign. The new 2021 collection will be available starting April 22 (Earth Day).

Jerry Garcia was devoted to the exploration and performance of music and was not known for taking public positions on issues. But, in September 1988, he and the Grateful Dead felt compelled to step up for the Earth’s rainforests. They organized the Rainforest Benefit Concert at Madison Square Garden with the hope that they would motivate their audience and the world to act. Some thirty-three years later, we’re still fighting the same battle.

“In the press conference for the 1988 Rainforest Benefit Concert, Jerry Garcia famously stated ‘Somebody has to do something, and it’s just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.’ Thirty years later, we see the world’s largest temperate rainforest under constant attack. We’re again voicing Jerry’s words and hoping that the world takes notice and works to save this critical piece of the Earth's ecosystem. We’re proud to be working with The Garcia Family and The Wilderness Society in this effort” says Erik Burbank, Vice President of The KEEN Effect, “because somebody has to do something.”

The expansion of the KEEN x Garcia collection features three styles with different pieces of Garcia’s art: an individually numbered collector’s limited-edition KEEN Newport sandal, which features his Junglescape artwork, and two new KEEN x Garcia styles —Yogui Slip-on and Elsa Lite Sneaker— which feature New York at Night and Banyan Tree, artwork introduced in the initial launch of the product line last year.

On April 20, KEEN will open the auction of the #420 individually numbered collector’s limited-edition Newport Junglescape Sandal via Bidding For Good, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit The Wilderness Society’s ‘Protect the Tongass’ campaign; the auction will close April 30 at 11:59pm PT.

“We, the Jerry Garcia Family, once again band together with KEEN for a second KEEN x Garcia collection because we, like you and them, value being eco-conscious and socially responsible,” says Trixie Garcia. “In 1988, my father and the Dead held a benefit concert to save the rainforests and to protect our environment when no one else thought it was important. It’s unimaginable that we’re still fighting this fight today, but we are pleased to partner with KEEN to help protect the Tongass.”

“Old-growth rainforests like the Tongass National Forest are not only rare but one of the country’s best climate solutions. We thank KEEN and the Jerry Garcia Family for recognizing the importance of the Tongass to the health and well-being of all people and the planet, and for taking action to protect it for future generations,” said Josh Hicks, Assistant Director of Forest Policy and Conservation at The Wilderness Society.

The new KEEN x Garcia collection includes KEEN Newport Junglescape ($170), KEEN Yogui ($90), and KEEN Elsa LIte ($100) and will be available at KEENFOOTWEAR.COM. The KEEN x Garcia initial collection is now available globally. 1% of proceeds from all KEEN x Garcia collection purchases in 2021 will be donated to The Wilderness Society’s campaign to protect the Tongass rainforest, with a minimum total donation of $25,000.

About KEEN
Driven by a passion to make the outside and trades accessible for all, KEEN is a values-led, family-owned footwear brand from Portland, Oregon committed to creating original and versatile products, enhancing lives, and inspiring adventures outside. Founded in 2003, it launched a revolution in the industry with the debut of the Newport adventure sandal. It continues to launch game-changing products and establish new standards for performance, comfort, and design while actively working to Detox the Planet. The brand formalized its values commitment under the banner of The KEEN Effect. Learn more at www.keenfootwear.com

About Jerry Garcia
Jerry Garcia (1942-1995) created an unparalleled legacy across the American landscape, most notably in his role as a founding member, singer, songwriter and lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead. Garcia’s unmistakable guitar tone enchanted multitudes of “Deadheads” throughout the band’s 30-year career and beyond. His work with the Jerry Garcia Band, Old and in the Way, Legion of Mary, Garcia/Grisman and projects with Merl Saunders only scratch at the surface of his musical influences as he set out to master the Great American Songbook. Unequivocally devoted to the craft of music, Garcia continues to inspire future generations through the body of work he has left behind and his creative spirit.

About The Wilderness Society
The Wilderness Society is the leading conservation organization working to protect the wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. Founded in 1935, and now with more than one million members and supporters, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect 111 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands.