by Serena Bishop Gordon
Protecting the places we play is every outdoor recreationalist’s responsibility, including outdoor industry companies.
Member companies of The Conservation Alliance support local, grassroots environmental organizations, protecting millions of wild acres, miles of rivers, and recreation access. Together, Alliance member companies demonstrate the outdoor industry’s collective commitment to conservation and wild places.
The Conservation Alliance is a group of outdoor industry companies, including Trailspace, that disburses its collective annual membership dues to grassroots environmental organizations. This funding is directed toward grassroots campaigns to protect threatened wild places for their habitat and recreation values.
Member companies of The Conservation Alliance understand the need to protect North America’s last wild places for future generations. In 2012, The Conservation Alliance will distribute more than $1.3 million to organizations working to protect the places we play!
The results of Conservation Alliance funding have been remarkable. Alliance funding has helped protect more than 29 million acres of wildlands; protect or restore 2,700 miles of river; stop or remove 25 dams; designate five marine reserves; and purchase nine climbing areas. The Alliance has a rigorous grant proposal review process that ensures grants go to organizations that can succeed.
Click here for a list of grantees.
In addition to making grants, The Conservation Alliance advocates for projects they have funded; lending an economic voice to the conservation conversation, both locally and in Washington, D.C.
You don't need to be an outdoor industry company to get involved in conservation. Protecting the places we play is every outdoor recreationalist’s responsibility. Together, we can make a difference.
How you can get involved:
Vote
Casting a ballot is your right, but it is also your privilege. Check out your congressman’s environmental scorecard, get educated on the issues, and vote accordingly. Remember, Tuesday, November 6, is Election Day in 2012.
League of Conservation Voters Environmental Scorecard
Make Your Voice Heard
Write letters, make phone calls, attend public meetings, go to your state capital or Washington, D.C., and talk to your Congressmen. Our elected officials work for their constituents. Make sure they know your top priorities.
Spend Your Money Wisely
Support businesses that support your values. Make purchased from brands that you believe in and are doing something to make a difference on the local, national, and global level.
See a list of Conservation Alliance member.
Do Your Homework
Learn about local grass-roots environmental organizations in your area and find out ways your can get involved. Pick an issue you are passionate about and lend your time, make a donation, or become an advocate.
Get Outside
Play outdoors and bring a friend along. Share your passion for our wild places with others. Once we, as individuals, find meaning in these majestic landscapes, we will work to protect them.
Watch this short video, "Wild Places," to get inspired:
About the Conservation Alliance
The Conservation Alliance is a group of outdoor industry companies, including Trailspace, that disburses its collective annual membership dues to grassroots environmental organizations. It's also one of the outdoor and environmental nonprofits that Trailspace supports. Learn more at www.conservationalliance.com.
(Top photo: Sunrise at Cathedral Rock in Oregon, a proposed wilderness area. Photo by Greg Burke.)
