REI, Nau and Justin Bailie Photography are the winners of The Conservation Alliance Outstanding Partnership Awards for 2018. The award recognizes member companies who go above and beyond in building relationships with Conservation Alliance grantees.

All Conservation Alliance grantees were invited to nominate member companies for recognition. Each nomination described how the company engaged in a meaningful partnership to help the organization succeed in its conservation work.

“We were impressed to learn about the great work our member companies are doing with our grantees,” said John Sterling, executive director of The Conservation Alliance. “This award is designed to celebrate and encourage direct interaction between our members and the conservation groups in their communities.”

Forterra nominated REI, and described the company’s commitment to its Kitsap Forest and Bay Community Campaign, which protected 3,400 acres in North Kitsap County, WA.

“REI and the campaign worked closely together to host a series of events to promote the campaign,” said Forterra’s Susannah Hale. “REI was so dedicated to the project success they awarded a grant to the campaign.”

California Wilderness Coalition (CWC) nominated Nau for supporting the group’s Central Coast Heritage Campaign, which seeks to protect 244,000 acres of Wilderness and 159 miles of rivers on California’s Central Coast.

“Conservation Alliance staff connected us with Nau in May 2017, and that partnership blossomed into an awareness-building and fundraising event at the Outdoor Retailer show, and a full storytelling campaign about the Central Coast,” said CWC Executive Director Chris Morrill.

Justin Bailie Photography was nominated by North Coast Land Conservancy (NCLC) for supporting their Rainforest Reserve Campaign to protect 3,500 acres on the Oregon Coast.

“Justin Bailie was our entry point to The Conservation Alliance, and continues to be a champion for our efforts and conservation in general on the northern Oregon Coast,” said NCLC Executive Director Katie Voelke.

The Conservation Alliance applauds all members who deepen their relationships with individual grantees, and will continue to recognize these efforts.