With Environment Under Siege, Join The 'Resistance' With These Great Fundraiser Badges
By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 17, 2017 8:04PM
Resistance Ranger
The Environmental Protection Agency, perhaps you noticed, isn't getting all that much protection right now. With the agency's budget staring down a 31 percent slash—and as much as 97 percent for some initiatives close to home—now might seems like a good time to throw some extra resources the environment's way. To that effect, meet the Resistance Ranger badge.
Beyond its delightfully Ranger Ned aesthetic, the small wooden badge—designed by Chicago media stalwart Dan Sinker—serves as reminder of the unique space that parklands and nature hold in the American consciousness. (Dig the FDR quote that circles the hand-up illustration: "The fundamental idea behind the parks is the belief that the country belongs to the people.") And all proceeds benefit the National Parks Foundation, Sierra Club and Earthjustice.
Sinker—who currently co-hosts the wonderful Says Who podcast but is perhaps best known as the brains behind the late, great @MayorEmanuel account—got the idea after the Badlands National Park Twitter account went rogue against its climate denialist bosses back in January. Featuring illustration by JUDGE (aka veteran gig-poster artist Kathleen Judge), the 2 x 1.5" badges officially went on pre-sale on Wednesday.
The graphic pays nifty homage to the NPS' Junior Ranger program. "I've been traveling to National Parks regularly for a couple of decades now, but it wasn't until we started going with my son that I was introduced to the Junior Ranger program," Sinker told Chicagoist by email. "He's been collecting badges for probably five years now and has a couple dozen. In addition to just how awesome they are and how they give kids a real incentive to explore a park and learn new things, I've always loved the design of them. They're so classic."
Sinker had just two asks from Judge for the look: "[s]omething that communicates the land but also that it's the people's," he said.
So far, the response has been great, Sinker said. In less than 48 hours, the badges have already pre-sold a two-week target figure. Prospective rangers can join the resistance here.