Union Sportsmen Inspire TRCP/OLN Television

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) has partnered with the Outdoor Life Network (OLN) to produce two outdoor television shows that showcase union members and their passion for the outdoors.

The first show, “Life in the Open,” which debuted in October 2005, takes viewers to many of the best hunting and fishing destinations in America, all of which are accessible to the public. Every episode begins with an exciting big game hunt and then moves on to a variety of wingshooting and fishing adventures.

The show, the top-rated weekend field sports program on OLN, is designed to inspire American sportsmen and women to act in a manner worthy of Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation legacy. “Life in the Open” also talks about threats to hunting and fishing in America and the work being done to maintain access. This theme fits with the primary mission of TRCP, which is to “guarantee every American a place to hunt and fish.”

Through this television series, TRCP aims to reconnect American sportsmen and women with their historical role as conservationists and responsible stewards of land, water, fish and game.

The union partnership helps TRCP reach beyond the traditional hunting and fishing groups to actively engage millions of sportsmen and women. The IAFF will sponsor an episode of “Life in the Open” when the series begins airing next fall.

Hosted by Ken Barrett, a lifelong hunter and angler with strong union ties, “Life in the Open” sheds light on current issues affecting the future of hunting and fishing in America. Barrett’s father, grandfather and uncles were locomotive engineers, fire fighters and dedicated unionists. Barrett says, “It was because of the work and sacrifice of union members and the union movement that my mother, three younger sisters and I were able to keep our house and live a decent life, and without unions I’d have probably never gone to college. I’ve never forgotten that.”

In another ground-breaking partnership among TRCP, labor unions and OLN, a second television show, “Escape to the Wild,” will debut in January 2007. The new show will feature American sportsmen and women as they embark on their dream hunting and fishing adventures.

Hosted by Marc Pierce, host of Ducks Unlimited Television, “Escape to the Wild” will take viewers alongside sportsmen and women for an up-close look at what life is like for the American sportsman in the real world.