About Higher Ground
Our public lands are the places we go for relief from modern society and to know ourselves better. They are also the economic basis for one of our nation's strongest economic pillars: the outdoor recreation industry. With a 1.1 trillion dollar economic impact and over 5 million jobs, it’s time for the political voice of the outdoor recreation industry to own its power and coalesce around the fight for the clean air, clean water and public lands we cherish.
Higher Ground is published under Erudition, an imprint of Di Angelo Publications.
digital and hardcover books available now
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Luis Benitez is the emerging face of the outdoor industry's political movement. The son of an Ecuadorian aerospace engineer and an American primary school art teacher, Benitez is a former international mountaineering guide. In 2001, he guided famed blind mountaineer Erik Weihenmayer to the summit of Mount Everest, and has led more than 30 expeditions to the highest peaks on every continent.
In 2015, Benitez was appointed director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office by Colorado governor John Hickenlooper, a significant step in what many see as a political career leading to the Colorado governor's office and beyond. In 2019, he became vice president of governmental affairs and global impact for VF Corp. Today, Luis is the Chief Impact Officer for the Trust for Public Lands, a nonprofit organization that works across sectors to ensure that everyone will have access to the benefits and joys of the outdoors for generations to come.
The outdoor industry by the numberS
$1.1 Trillion Economic Impact
5 Million US-Based Jobs
168.1 Million ORec Participants
Sources: Outdoor Industry Association, Trust for Public Lands
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Want to get involved? Here are a few ways you can advocate for the Outdoor Recreation Industry wherever you are:
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higher ground TESTIMonials
US Senator John Hickenlooper
The passion that led Luis to climb his first mountain continues to guide him to this day. He has been a true servant-leader, and this book is a remarkable look at how one life , and by extension almost any life, can affect great change.
Brad Garmon, Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
The industry has always needed a sort of champion like Luis—someone who’s relatable, but also, you know, he’s summited Everest and can sit in Congress and chat with senators. Luis is a force of nature.
Amy Parsons, President, Colorado State University
Higher Ground is an essential read and call to action for all leaders in education, business, and civic life on the transformative power of outdoor recreation to fuel our democracy and inspire values of the highest order across society. Luis is an inspiration in his vision, tenacity, and contagious passion.
José González, Founder, Latino Outdoors
With Luis, I'm reminded about the expression "some people are about x until it's time to be about x" because with Luis, when it's time to be about the outdoors he truly is about the outdoors. Not simply as someone that just wants some stoke from the outdoors, but someone that cares in a WHOLElistic way, from the industry aspect, the community aspect, the policy aspect, and more. He embodies it not from a place of self-interest, but one of community service. And that's the type of leadership we frankly need. And best of all, I'm grateful to be able to call him a friend, a compa, and someone that inspires me into what's possible.
Erik Weihenmayer, Adventurer
[Luis's] perspective provides a roadmap and clear guidance on the challenges that certainly lie ahead. The need to galvanize the political voice and force of our economy is clear, and this book is the first real effort to elevate that voice to power.
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