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e-co-play n (1999): fair play or sportsmanship
that encompasses an environmental ethic including 1: enriching nature 2: saving energy 3: reducing material consumption.
e-co-play-er n (1999): one who embodies ecoplay. |
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Thank You El Tour Participants!
A big thank you to riders who raised money for GSA-USA, and congratulations to all participants for a good time at the 26th annual El Tour de Tucson. Over 8,600 cyclists showed up for the event in Tucson, Arizona almost topping last year’s record of 9,120. Event organizers collected recyclable trash, replaced throw-away plastic goodie bags with reusable shopping bags, and flew the Ecoflag at the finish line. Even a bamboo bicycle was on display at Expo. GSA-USA’s President, Jane Poynter, was honored with this year’s El Tour Woman of the Year Award for her work in promoting environmental education through sports. |
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GSA Navigator Greg Hockensmith breezes into the finish sporting the Ecoflag team jersey. |
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A New Way to Sign up for El Tour!
If you are already a fan of the largest cycling event in the Southwest, then you know how important it is to keep our outdoors clean. So why not combine your love of a great cycling event with your support for maintaining a clean environment? Now you can, and all you have to do is request a special GSA-USA El Tour application. So keep on the lookout for our new application for the 2009 El Tour de Tucson and other sports events! |
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 NEW GSA Apparel!
GSA-USA has just come out with our first t-shirts. The designs are based on the Ecoflag, which was conceived in Tokyo, Japan to help raise global environmental awareness through sports. Shirts are 100% unbleached organic cotton. Our new steel water bottle is a great alternative to bpa-leeching plastic water bottles. The shirts and bottle are available through our donation packages on GSA-USA.org or you can email us at info@gsa-usa.org.
Donation Packages until December 31st only:
- $25 Support GSA environmental initiatives and receive organic t-shirt or steel bottle
- $45 Support GSA environmental initiatives and receive steel bottle and organic t-shirt
- $55 Support GSA environmental initiatives and receive organic t-shirt, steel bottle and GSA sports poster
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Sports Eco-tip
Organic Cotton
Since the invention of the cotton gin in 1793 the crop has reigned supreme in clothing fabrics worldwide. Head to toe comfort in everyday attire translates to massive quantities of cotton crops grown in the U.S., China, India, and Brazil. In turn this washes a lot of chemical fertilizers into the soil, down streams, and possibly into the ocean, inducing massive algae blooms that can disrupt a healthy ecosystem. If you find this unsettling then take a look at organic cotton. By reducing pesticide use and using genetically unmodified strains, the Organic Cotton industry has been able to produce your favorite comfy cloth with a significantly decreased environmental impact. Like our t-shirts. And they’re oh, so soft! |
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GSA Events
GSA-New York Partners with Trail Conference
On October 4th, 2008 GSA-New York joined the leaders of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference at Bear Mountain, NY to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Appalachian Trail (AT). The Trail Conference created the very first section of the AT here in 1923. At a ceremony during the event, GSA-NY presented the Conference with an Ecoflag as a token of friendship and support and in recognition of the Trail Conference's extraordinary volunteer-driven accomplishments in defense of recreation and the natural world. In accepting the flag, Trail Conference Executive Director Ed Goodell said "I am pleased to accept this award on behalf of the countless volunteers who over the decades have established the finest system of trails in any major metropolitan area. We are proud to display the Ecoflag in our new headquarters in Mahwah, New Jersey." |
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| GSA-NY’s Kevin Trotta flanks the ecoflag with Trail Conference Executive Director Ed Goodell and other Trail Conference leaders at the ecoflag award ceremony. |
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New York Recycles!
To promote recycling awareness among sports enthusiasts in Rockland County New York, GSA-NY has formed a partnership with Keep Rockland Beautiful (KRB), a non-profit affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Through this alliance GSA-NY aims to reduce waste and encourage recycling by informing teams and sports organizations of the social, economic and environmental benefits of recycling. The event was officially registered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s program New York Recycles!, part of the national campaign that culminates on America Recycles Day each November 15th. GSA-NY Team Captain Kevin Trotta addressed the players before the game to introduce the Ecoflag and to explain the importance of recycling and the significance of the event. Kevin also encouraged the players to use reusable sports bottles to reduce waste. |
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| The recycling initiative launched at a New York softball game was a resounding success. |
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Welcome Spotlight
Become a GSA Team Captain!
GSA-USA has just made its latest addition to our growing number of local Team Captains. Welcome to Leon Larson from Gainesville, Florida, a water skiing enthusiast, Chair of the Environmental Committee of the International Water Ski Federation, and head of Waterways Education for USA Water Ski. You can download the IWSF’s manual for protecting waterways from our website. Along with promoting green events, GSA team captains contact active people in their communities who are committed to creating a sustainable outlet for all kinds of sports. GSA is always looking for new team captains and eco-friendly sporting events that deserve a little recognition. Apply now!
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| From water skiing to whiffle ball GSA-USA is proud to support all sporting events that strive to reduce their environmental impact. |
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