Twenty-four outdoor industry companies have joined The Conservation Alliance since the January OR Show. With a steady increase in membership, the Alliance surpassed the 100 member mark, and now boasts includes 118 companies.
The new members are: Alpert-Tebrich & Associates, ASK and Associates, Catalyst Marketing, Dry Creek Enterprises, Forty Forty, Howa Design, Jayhawk Enterprises, Kennan Ward Photography, Lorelei, Inc., Mion Footwear, Mountain High Sales, MVP Sales, OnTarget Public Relations, Outdoor Gear Exchange, Pandoras Backpack, Purdy and Associates, Serac Adventure Films, Smartwool, Sullivan Agency, The Summit Group, Vishnu Temple Press, Wilderness Press, Woods Wheatcroft Photography, and Zumiez.
Each company joins at a time when the Conservation Alliance is focused on recruiting as many industry companies as possible. Each member company pays annual dues into a central fund, and the Alliance donates those funds to grassroots conservation organizations. The Alliance is on track to donate $530,000 in 2006.
“Threats to our wild places continue to grow,” said John Sterling, Conservation Alliance Executive Director. “Its great to see outdoor businesses stepping up to support the conservation efforts that are important to our industry.”
Building on a partnership launched in 2005, KEEN Footwear will match the first years dues of any company that joins the Conservation Alliance in 2006, up to a maximum of $140,000. With the new additions, KEEN has thus far matched $171,300 in new member dues since June, 2005.
New members include manufacturers, retailers, sales reps, photographers, and public affairs agencies.
“We are building a community of conservation-minded companies that participate in the outdoor industry,” said Sterling. “Together, we will save the wild places so important to outdoor customers.”