Eagle Creek, a San-Diego based manufacturer of adventure travel gear, joined forces with other conservation voices in the industry to become a founding member of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF).
REI Adventures, Exofficio, Uncruise and the Adventure Travel Trade Association also joined the effort to support the protection and preservation of sustainable adventure tourism, allowing both business and nature to not just survive but flourish.
The ATCF will directly fund local organizations engaged in the conservation of unique natural and cultural resources of adventure travel destinations. It will provide funding, connections and an international spotlight on projects that protect the cultural and natural resources that are the foundation of the adventure tourism industry.
This model will allow groups with knowledge of local projects to be efficient and effective with the funds. Recipients can include conservation groups, indigenous people groups, tour operators, accommodations and other non-profits and communities.
With a primary focus on providing funding to organizations and projects outside of the United States and Canada, the ATCF will be an international complement to the organizations serving similar missions in North America and Europe, like the Outdoor Industry Conservation Alliance and European Outdoor Conservation Alliance.
Impact measurement and resource allocation will be based on a number of indicators, including the number of acres of land and waterways protected or restored, communities trained to develop community-based tourism, individuals trained in the areas of natural or cultural resource protection and connectivity to international markets.
“For over 40 years, Eagle Creek has a heritage aligned to the Adventure Travel,” said Roger Spatz, president at Eagle Creek. “We recognize that the preservation of our natural resources is critical so that future generations can enjoy the amazing benefits of the outdoors and cultural venues. The Adventure Travel industry has an obligation to take an active role in preserving the places we enjoy today, but also the countless places we don’t yet know around the world. It is not only good business, but the right thing to do.”
Photo courtesy Eagle Creek
