Who We Are
Kenny Burns was an outdoor enthusiast who lived, worked and raised his family to love and respect the outdoors. His son Jeff Burns is the founder and CEO of the Outdoor Heritage Foundation.
“The Outdoor Heritage Foundation wants to give parents and kids the same opportunities our family had to get outside.”
About Jeff
Jeff Burns grew up in Humboldt County and attended elementary school and high school in Ferndale. After graduating from Ferndale High in 2005, he joined the Marine Corps and six months later found himself traveling the world for the next nine years. He lived in five different countries and did two combat deployments to Afghanistan.
After his time in the Marines, he went on to earn his undergraduate degree and an international MBA out of London.
He now lives and works in Ferndale with his wife and three children.
“I believe all of my outdoor experiences built a foundation for me to be where I am today. They have taught me that work ethic, grit and a positive mental attitude can get you a long way in life. All of that was first learned during my childhood from being outdoors.
My father was an outdoor enthusiast. He had myself and my brothers in nature any chance he could. It taught us the value of being outside, pushing ourselves to be better hunters, fishermen and stewards of the land. Being outside, for me, teaches you what you’re capable of. I am an avid bowhunter because it requires a specific discipline of being mentally strong and physically fit, and pushes me to be the best version of myself.
I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for my parents getting us outside to experience the positive effects the outdoors have to offer. And that is why, after our father passed away, I decided to leave my job and focus solely on getting kids outside. I believe in an age of iPhones, social media and constant screen time, now more than ever we need to be outside. I aim for the Kenny Burns Outdoor Heritage Foundation to be the medium that helps parents and kids get outside and find the best version of themselves. ”
About Kenny
Kenny Burns was an outdoor enthusiast who lived, worked and raised his family to love and respect the outdoors. The Outdoor Heritage Foundation wants to give parents and kids the same opportunities his family had to get outside.
Kenny Burns was a father, grandfather, husband, commercial fisherman and outdoorsman. He grew up in Humboldt County, surfing, fishing, hunting and recreating in the local area. He eventually raised his family by means of commercial fishing. His close friends and family would tell you there wasn't much more Kenny wanted to do other than being outside, creating and sharing memories through the trials and tribulations that come with outdoor challenges.
He passed his love of the outdoors to his three boys—Jeff, Kyle and Rocky—by providing the means, opportunities and enthusiasm to go outside. We were lucky enough to be outfitted with the right equipment, clothing and gear, and he and his friends provided their knowledge of the outdoors for us to enjoy and appreciate everything it has to offer.
Kenny loved being able to share outdoor experiences with his kids and friends. Through the Kenny Burns Outdoor Heritage Foundation, we aim to continue his love of the outdoors by providing you and your children with opportunities to have positive, memorable experiences in the outdoors.