Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web

New leadership at Patagonia: The company has hired Beth Thoren as its new environmental action and initiatives director.

A mountaineering icon on film: Selena Gomez has signed on to play the mountaineering legend Silvia Vasquez-Lavado—the first gay woman to climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents—in an upcoming film. [NBC News]

New GOA members: Grassroots Outdoor Alliance recently welcomed Oboz Footwear, Mystery Ranch, and Hydrapak to its national vendor partner network.

Ditching plastic during the pandemic: Just because we’re in the middle of a global pandemic doesn’t mean we should stop trying to eliminate single-use plastics. (If you want to do your part, join the Plastic Impact Alliance today.) [Gear Junkie]

“Breaking the sanitized narrative:” Five storytellers the tourism industry needs to amplify. [Rooted Storytelling]

Egregious trail behavior: A hiker in Massachusetts told women he had COVID—and then spit at them. [WCVB]

Inclusion in winter sports: The latest episode of the Long Underwear podcast by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company features Pocket Outdoor Media board member Dhani Jones and Share Winter Foundation CEO Constance Beverley discussing how to bring more people into the winter sports community.

Sequoias dying: Researchers are trying to determine why some mature sequoia trees in Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite national parks have mysteriously died. [National Parks Traveler]

Donate to help those in need: VF Foundation is currently collecting donations to help those affected by Hurricane Eta in Honduras.

Small business giveaway: Nominate your favorite local small business to win 24 custom laser-etched water bottles from Mizu.

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Shifting media landscape: After their longstanding cycling title effectively folded last month, five of Bike magazine's editors have joined the Pocket Outdoor Media team.

SNEWS poll: How do you plan to approach holiday shopping this year?