Outdoor Channel's National Call to Action: Serve and Conserve With Outdoor Channel Corps

TEMECULA, Calif., May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Outdoor Channel, America's Leader in Outdoor TV, today unveiled Outdoor Channel Corps, its latest effort to mobilize outdoor enthusiasts to "Serve and Conserve." As one of the largest conservation volunteer programs of its kind, this initiative will leverage the unmatched power of Outdoor Channel's brand to engage its loyal base of viewers to volunteer for a variety of outdoor-related projects. Outdoor Channel Corps aims to recruit one million volunteers in the next five years.

Outdoor Channel Corps' first big project will be organizing volunteers to restore and improve public lands, addressing the critical access issue that confronts hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts.  Dubbed the Conservation Tour of Duty, the volunteer initiative is designed to help offset the lack of funds available to care for our public lands. According to a General Accounting Office (GAO) report, more than 50 million acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have inadequate access. Through its Conservation Tour of Duty, Outdoor Channel Corps is determined to dramatically improve accessibility and restore our lands.

Outdoor Channel will work closely with state and federal agencies, its distribution affiliates and leading conservation and outdoor affinity partners to recruit volunteers and hold local Outdoor Channel Corps restoration and improvement events. The Conservation Tour of Duty will feature different hands-on volunteer projects including repairing stream banks, clearing trails, cleaning riverbeds and planting seedlings. Volunteer efforts will be tracked and can qualify as private matching funds desperately needed by state and federal agencies to receive federal matching dollars.

"Outdoor Channel's viewers are committed to conservation, and the launch of Outdoor Channel Corps is a great opportunity to leverage our strong viewer and partner relationships to positively impact people's ability to experience the great outdoors," said Denise Conroy-Galley Senior Vice President of Marketing & Research. "As the largest full-time network that has a sole focus on the outdoors, we are committed to preserving and improving our public lands. We encourage anyone with a passion for the outdoors to join in this effort and make a difference in protecting and improving our shared heritage."

Outdoor Channel Corps will kick off its efforts with an unprecedented consumer marketing campaign to recruit volunteers. The national campaign will feature top Outdoor Channel personalities in promotional spots on-air and online, encouraging viewers to participate. Outdoor Channel will also leverage the popularity of its Web site www.OutdoorChannel.com to enroll volunteers and inform them of upcoming Outdoor Channel Corps events.

About Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.

Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OUTD) owns and operates Outdoor Channel, America's leader in outdoor TV, and Winnercomm Inc., an Emmy Award winning production and interactive company. Outdoor Channel offers programming that captures the excitement of hunting, fishing, shooting, off-road motorsports, adventure and the Western lifestyle and can be viewed on multiple platforms including high definition, video-on-demand, as well as on a dynamic broadband website. Winnercomm Inc. is one of America's largest and highest quality producers of live sporting events and sports series for cable and broadcast television. Winnercomm also owns and operates the patented Skycam and CableCam aerial camera systems which provide dramatic overhead camera angles for major sports events, including college and NFL football. For more information please visit www.outdoorchannel.com.

SOURCE Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.