Meet the Winona Outdoor Collaborative!
Hey Winona! Meet the Winona Outdoor Collaborative--one of our community’s newest non-profits. You’ve probably seen some posts on social media or perhaps stumbled across our website, but chances are you may not be totally familiar with what we offer as an organization.
Initially established out of a desire for a more welcoming and inclusive outdoor space under the name Women of Winona Outdoor Collaborative, co-founders Alexa Shapiro and Sydney Bockelman spent a good portion of 2020 working to transform the former loosely organized volunteer-run organization into today’s Winona Outdoor Collaborative (WOC). In late-summer 2020, the hard work paid off--the WOC held its first board meeting and officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable organization! During this process, the WOC retained its mission of creating a non-competitive, inclusive outdoors, but expanded its services beyond just women because it is clear that there are several other user groups that have historically been underserved by the outdoor industry and deserve a safe space to recreate.
In terms of services and program offerings, the Winona Outdoor Collaborative is multi-faceted and while the organization is starting off with a modest calendar of events for 2021, we have plans for big growth in the near future! This year, the WOC will host free monthly meet-ups that are open to all people, low-cost quarterly workshops, and even guided trips over the summer. Each of these program offerings can be found under the Services tab on our website. As our organization grows, the WOC plans to establish an outdoor equipment rental shop near downtown Winona. We know that the price of gear can be a huge barrier to getting outdoors, so this is something that we are working very hard at establishing. The Collaborative will also offer a membership that, if purchased, provides discounted workshops, trips, and rentals, among other perks!
Additionally, the WOC seeks to serve as a central hub for local outdoor information. This means that we want to help you learn all of the spots to participate in your favorite outdoor activities in Winona, update you with any upcoming local recreation activities, provide you with up-to-date information about trails, and share information on ways to get involved in preserving the beautiful spaces we enjoy spending time in.
In light of that, it is with great excitement that the WOC shares with you our first step in disseminating outdoor recreation info: the 2021 24-Hikes Series! Through this free program, participants will sign a commitment pledge to go on 24 hikes in the Winona area throughout the year. Participants receive access to the Collaborative’s recommended 24 hikes, however any hike within 40 miles of Winona counts. You can hike any length of time - the important part is that you’re getting outdoors and moving in nature! As a participant, you will also be eligible for a series of prizes throughout the year and, upon completion of the hike series, will receive a WOC sticker. To sign up for the 24-Hikes Series, head to: https://www.winonaoutdoorcollaborative.com/24hike-series. We’re excited to see you on the trails each month of the year!
Lastly, but certainly not least, it is with respect that we acknowledge the beautiful land and river that we love to explore here in Winona are the stolen lands of the Wahpetunwan Dakota, Anishinaabe, and Ho-Chunk people. The WOC wants to recognize and express our gratitude for the way that they protected and preserved the land for future generations to enjoy, and we pledge to do our best to continue protecting this region so that even more generations of Winonans can enjoy this beautiful place.
