Woolrich Outfits World Renowned Raptor Sanctuary Hawk Mountain

WOOLRICH, Pa., March 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Woolrich, the Original Outdoor Clothing Company®, announced that it will be the official apparel outfitter of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association.  Based in Kempton, PA, Hawk Mountain is the world's oldest and largest, member-supported raptor conservation organization.

"We are proud to support Hawk Mountain and its mission in protecting and studying raptors worldwide," said Brent Hollowell, Woolrich VP of Marketing.  "Not only are they the foremost experts in raptor education, research and conservation, but they provide a facility where visitors can enjoy the outdoors in one of the largest, protected tracts of contiguous forest in our state."

Founded in 1934 and incorporated as a non-profit in 1938, Hawk Mountain is comprised of 2,500 acres with 8-miles of hiking trails and is one of the most recognized hawk migration watchsites in the United States, with an average 20,000 raptors migrating through the area each autumn.  Hawk Mountain also maintains the Acopian Center for Conservation Learning, a biological field station and training facility where scientists and conservationists from around world come to work in collaboration with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary personnel.

"We're excited to be teaming up with Woolrich," said Jerry Regan, President of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association.  "Our organizations have run similar paths as pioneers in the Pennsylvania outdoors, and together we'll be able to protect and study raptors for generations to come."

Woolrich will outfit Hawk Mountain's staff of counters and researchers with a selection of Woolrich's technical sportswear and outerwear.  Additionally, Hawk Mountain and Woolrich plan to collaborate on a series of limited edition items to raise funds for the association.

Hawk Mountain originally received its name from the hunters who visited the area to shoot migrating hawks for sport. In the early 1930's, New York conservation activist Rosalie Edge learned about the massive killings and in 1934 leased 1,400 acres around the mountain and stopped the shooting.  In 1938 she purchased the land and deeded it to the non-profit, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association.

Scientists use the Sanctuary's long-term migration database to monitor changes in raptor populations.  Monitoring raptor populations is important because raptors are sensitive bioindicators at the tops of food chains, and changes in their numbers reflect changes in the health of the environment.  For example, the famed Pennsylvania biologist Rachel Carson used declining counts of immature bald eagles at Hawk Mountain in her landmark book Silent Spring as evidence of DDT's harmful effects on the environment.

About Woolrich

Woolrich Inc., the Original Outdoor Clothing Company, is an authentic American brand that embraces an outdoor lifestyle. Trusted since 1830 by generations of loyal customers, Woolrich continues its tradition of providing quality products for today's outdoor enthusiast. A brand recognized worldwide, Woolrich product offerings include functional, comfortable and durable men's and women's sportswear and outerwear using innovative fabrications for the ultimate in performance capabilities, well-designed home and outdoor living products, and licensed accessory products. In 2010, Woolrich celebrated its 180th Anniversary. It is the original and longest continuously-operating outdoor apparel manufacturer and woolen mill in the United States. Find out more at www.woolrich.com.

About Hawk Mountain

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, based in the Appalachian Mountains in central Pennsylvania, is the oldest and largest, member-supported raptor conservation organization in the world and operates a 2,500-acre sanctuary open to the public year-round. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association's mission is to conserve birds of prey worldwide by providing leadership in raptor conservation science and education, and by maintaining Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a model observation, research and education facility.  Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Learn more or donate to Hawk Mountain at www.hawkmountain.org.

SOURCE Woolrich