The Conservation Alliance said eight outdoor companies have joined its organization since January. The new members are: Canada Goose; E.N.D. Footwear; Exped; Everest Textiles, Inc.; GrahamSpencer West; Klean Kanteen; Saucony; and The Alpine Experience.
With a steady increase in membership, the Alliance now boasts 170 companies.
The organization said that 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 plans to donate $900,000 in 2009.
At the same time, the political landscape for conservation has rarely 'if ever' been as bright as it is today. With a conservationist in the White House, and solid pro-conservation majorities in both houses of Congress, opportunities for conservation in the US are many.
“The grants we make over the next two years will be seeds planted in fertile political ground,” said John Sterling, Conservation Alliance Executive Director. “Our new and existing members will help save some very important wild places in the near future.”
Due in part to this improved political landscape, this year Conservation Alliance grantees have already used Alliance funding to protect 10.5 million acres of land and 1000 miles of rivers; remove one dam; and purchase a popular climbing area.
New members include manufacturers, retailers, a fabric supplier, and a public relations agency.
“We're excited to grow our diverse membership,” said Sterling. “And we're particularly excited to add another Canadian member. Our community of conservation-minded companies continues to grow. Together, we will save the wild places so important to outdoor customers.”
