The Conservation Alliance held its ninth and final Backyard Collective event of 2019 in Bend, OR, on Thursday, October 10. The stewardship project drew 100 volunteers from nine member companies, four conservation partners and two local nonprofits.
The volunteers worked in collaboration with the Deschutes Trails Coalition to help spread 40 yards of gravel on a new part of the Sunriver Tie Trail system as well as obliterated a mile of unnecessary trails to help increase key elk habitat.
Conservation Alliance member companies Cairn, Clif Bar, Deschutes Brewery, FootZone, The Gear Fix, Hydro Flask, Quick Feat International, Ruffwear, and Visit Bend joined for the day. Buff, CLIF Bar, Deschutes Brewery and Nite Ize donated gear, beer and energy bars.
The mission of The Conservation Alliance is to engage businesses to fund and partner with organizations to protect wild places for their habitat and recreation values. The Conservation Alliance launched the Backyard Collective Program to give member company employees the opportunity to work together on local stewardship projects while learning more about organizations that receive funding from the group.
Conservation Alliance grantees joined in a grantee fair to share current information and calls-to-action related to their programs. Grantees included: Central Oregon Landwatch, Deschutes Land Trust, Oregon Natural Desert Association, Oregon Wild, and local non-profit partners 30/30 for the Deschutes and Deschutes Trails Coalition.
“Our hometown Backyard Collective event is a highlight of our year,” said John Sterling, executive director of The Conservation Alliance. “It’s always great to spend a day outside with our Bend members, stewarding our local landscapes.”
