Just a few weeks ago at the Summer Outdoor Retailer Show, our member companies raised more than $35,000 for the Conservation Alliance through some great gear promotions! All of these funds will go directly to protecting the wild places (like the Flathead Valley above) we all love.

A huge thank you to the participating member companies: Arc'teryx, Black Diamond, Briggs & Riley, Brooks, Camelbak, Canada Goose, Chaco, Columbia, Dansko, Eagle Creek, Grabber, Horny Toad, Jetboil, Keen, Kelty, Mountain Khakis, Osprey, Ruff Wear, Stanley, STM, Timex and The North Face. Please support them!

If you'd like to get involved in an event for the Winter Show, please email Serena Bishop: serena@conservationalliance.com

 

 

Sweet Success!!!! As of today, the Washington Climbers Coalition is the proud owner of one of Washingtons premier climbing destinations. For more details check out this link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012739754_climbers28m.html... Read More

Sweet Success!!!! As of today, the Washington Climbers Coalition is the proud owner of one of Washingtons premier climbing destinations. For more details check out this link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012739754_climbers28m.htmlThe WCC would like to thank the Conservation Alliance for playing an integral part in this purchase.... Read More

 

The work at Conservation Alliance wouldn't be possible without all of our outdoor industry brand members. But a lot of them aren't only involved with Conservation Alliance; many of our member brands are committed to a diverse variety of environmental causes. Every Thursday we'll be featuring a cross-post from one of our member companies to highlight the causes that they're active in. This week we were inspired by a post written over on the Columbia blog entitled Trees Worth Fighting For.

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How do you define what you love? How do you place a value on it? Would you say that loving something makes it worth fighting for? For a group of dedicated outdoor lovers, fighting for the environment is exactly how they express their love for it. In their words Tree Fight “is an initiative to inform the public of the plight of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s Whitebark pines, and to search for solutions to prevent their extinction.” Why fight for the Whitebark? In the words of Nancy Bockino, Grand Teton National Park ecologist, “Whitebark pines are one of the most ecologically important tree species living in the western United States…and can live more than a thousand years.”

Threatened by mountain pine beetles, whose habitat is spreading to higher elevations due to warming alpine temperatures, the Whitebark of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) are under attack. The 2-million acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is heralded as the last remaining intact temperate ecosystem on earth. It includes Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone Park, the National Elk Refuge, six national forests, and portions of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. It’s thought that half this country’s Whitebark pines live in the GYE.

Tree Fight is taking a unique approach to fighting the invasive pine beetle. “From mid June to late July, we hiked to several distinct areas in the Bridger Teton National Forest where Whitebark pine survive. In each of these plots, we applied pheromone packets to several acres of Whitebark. These packets, which transmit a message to mountain pine beetles that the nearest trees are already occupied, are stapled individually to trees at chest height.” Basically, they’re going around marking the trees as already infested, in order to help save them. Pretty ingenious, wouldn’t you say?

You can read more about Tree Fight’s efforts, and the Whitebark pines of the GYE, as well donate to the cause, at www.treefight.org.

 

Summer is still in full swing, but this video gave us a flurry of excitement for winter... And a kick in the pants to protect our winters. Being a part of the outdoor industry, we have a responsibility to protect our wild places — and that includes protecting them from climate change. For those of us who celebrate with each dump of snow in the mountains, we know it's up to us to make sure we keep that snow falling (and sticking)...

From the Protect Our Winters (POW) video:

"There is just too much at stake for us all not to be doing something. Climate change effects everyone who lives and works in our mountain communities. Climate change is serious business to those of us who depend upon it for our jobs and our livelihoods. We all have a lot at stake, and a powerful voice. We're 16 million strong and together we can protect our winters."

Support POW and take action to protect our winters! Want to do more? Contact your local elected official, and take action to stop climate change and protect the places, and seasons, you love.

Thanks to The North Face for tipping us off on this video!

 

The work at Conservation Alliance wouldn't be possible without all of our outdoor industry brand members. But a lot of them aren't only involved with Conservation Alliance; many of our member brands are committed to a diverse variety of environmental causes. Every Thursday we'll be featuring a cross-post from one of our member companies to highlight the causes that they're active in. This week we're taking a look at Timberland, who makes sure that their conservation efforts aren't just local, but international as well, as shown from a service day earlier this summer.

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On June 8, 54 Earthkeepers in Poland from Timberland and Marketing Investment Group headed out to the forest, the garden and the mountainside to wish Mother Nature a happy belated Earth Day. By breaking up into 6 groups and serving at a number of different service sites, the Earthkeepers in Poland were able to fix up trails, restore infrastructure and fences, clear out illegal dumping sites, protect a bridge and help with flood cleanup. All of this dedicated work took place at the nursery-garden Falsztyn, Homole Gully/Pieniny Mountains, White Water Preserve, Black Water Preserve and the Jaworki Forest.

At the Homole Gully/Pieniny Mountains service site, 5,400 liters of rubbish, pipe, bathtub pieces, and linoleum were collected, sorted and prepared for recycling. And at the White Water Preserve, 480 liters of rubbish was removed from the green landscape.

In total, the Timberland Poland team members completed 500 hours of service. We applaud the Earthkeepers in Poland for their hard work in celebration of our shared planet.

To see more photos, check out Timberland's blog post. 

 

A couple of weeks ago, we dedicated an entire day to keeping it wild. Our member companies and grantees responded in full force, taking action to restore free-flowing rivers and big whitewater, protect millions of acres of wilderness and other special places that we all go to get wild and explore.

And now it's time to keep that action going. We can't just protect our wild lands for one day — we have to protect them every day. So, every week, we'll bring you news and an action from our grantees. And we urge you to take a minute out of your day to protect some of America's most special wild places. And take a moment every day to explore your own backyard — and protect it!

Take Action to keep Utah wild!

From SUWA’s blog:

Every summer the manufacturers and retailers of outdoor equipment converge on Salt Lake City for the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market – an event that this year drew an estimated 20,000 people. SUWA partnered with the Conservation Alliance to participate in the Keep It Wild day which paired environmental groups with outdoor gear manufacturers to take action to protect our natural resources.  SUWA was generously hosted by Osprey Packs, and in their booth at the show we collected over 300 postcards written by folks who were asking the Obama administration protect wild Utah. Participants also posed for photos with “Flat Ken,” a likeness of Interior Department Secretary Salazar who has the power to protect over 6 million acres of redrock land now vulnerable to oil and gas drilling and off-road vehicle abuse. The day was topped off with a party hosted By KEEN Footwear, celebrating a day of conservation advocacy at the show.

Take Action to keep Utah wild!

 

The Conservation Alliance announced a new level of membership that will recognize companies that contribute at least $100,000 annually to the organization. During the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market last week, the Alliance announced that Eastern Mountain Sports, KEEN, Inc., Patagonia, REI, and The North Face have committed to be the first five members of this new "Pinnacle" membership level. Pictured above are Casey Sheahan (Patagonia), Sally Jewell (REI), Steve Rendle (The North Face), James Curleigh (KEEN), and Will Manzer (Eastern Mountain Sports) as they received a standing ovation from the audience at The Conservation Alliance Breakfast.

"Our goal is to increase the amount of funding we can contribute to conservation efforts throughout North America," said John Sterling, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance. "We have terrific opportunities right now to save our last wild places, and these five members are showing the leadership we need to safeguard wild lands and rivers for the long term."

The Alliance is encouraging other members to increase their commitment to the organization, and expects to announce additional above-and-beyond contributions at the January Outdoor Retailer show.

"We recognize that our industry must do more to save our special wilderness areas and wild rivers," said Lisa Pike Sheehy, Director of Environmental Programs at Patagonia, and a member of The Conservation Alliance board. "The Alliance directs 100 percent of our members' dues into the hard-working hands of the best conservation organizations in North America, and measures ROI in terms of acres of land and miles of rivers protected, dams stopped or removed, and climbing areas acquired. It's a clean model, and we're proud to participate at the $100,000 level."

The Conservation Alliance will disburse $900,000 this year, and expects to surpass the $1 million mark for the first time in 2011.

The work at Conservation Alliance wouldn't be possible without all of our outdoor industry brand members. But a lot of them aren't only involved with Conservation Alliance; many of our member brands are committed to a diverse variety of environmental causes. Every Thursday we'll be featuring a cross-post from one of our member companies to highlight the causes that they're active in. Since we're still reeling from last week's Outdoor Retailer, this week's feature gets a special OR theme: a synopsis of Montrail's Wasatch Wobble, complete with costume photos.

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Montrail hosted the 15th annual Wasatch Wobble 5k at the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City last week. OR attendees signed up by making a $10 donation to the Conservation Alliance, and then showed up early Thursday morning decked out in Superhero costume and ready for some fun. Course challenges included a push-up station at mile 1 (minimum of 5 for women, 10 for men) and a contest to see who can carry the largest rock across the finish line. There were also 4 kittens stuck in trees throughout the course, and runners had a chance to be heros and save the kittens. Thanks for playing everyone! We had a blast. Here’s some photos, we’ll get more up as soon as we can.

 

For more photos check out the Montrail blog. 

The Foothills Water Network has spent the last nine months negotiating for new flow regimes in the Middle Fork American and Rubicon Rivers to enhance aquatic health including target species: rainbow trout and foothill yellow legged frogs as well as improve angling and whitewater boating opportunities. We have successfully negotiated flows for whitewater boaters on two new runs on the Middle Fork American - the Interbay Run V, which had been run a handful of times and the French Meadows Run V, which had never been run before. Boaters were very excited about the test flows on this rugged wilderness section of river with series of waterfalls, clean drops, and amazing wildlife and are eager to go back. See for yourself in the CaliProduct video of the French Meadows Run Volume I (aborted run due to snow and woody debris in first test run) and Volume II (boaters return and... Read More

The Conservation Alliance board of directors -- normally a serious, staid bunch -- is channeling some inner wildness as the organization strives to help protect ever more wild places. The Alliance board met in Salt Lake City last week, and welcomed new directors Linda Tom (KEEN), Topher Gaylord (Mountain Hardwear), and Ted Manning (Eastern Mountain Sports). Mysteriously, as the meeting proceeded the board started sprouting unusual facial hair and other markings. By the end of the meeting, the group was howling, snorting, and gnashing teeth in a collective frenzy of desire to save North America's last wild places. Expect great things from this pack!

 

Last week at Outdoor Retailer was full of stories of conservation challenges and successes, people taking action to save wild places, good times and furry animal hats... With hundreds of postcards signed to protect our wild playground and thousands of dollars raised to support the Conservation Alliance and our grantees, last week's show was a huge success!

As members of the outdoor community, we sometimes get caught up in the madness of OR — the meetings, the packed schedule of events and the sheer craziness of four days inside the Salt Palace, but at the end of the day, we're all here to get people outside. And part of that is making sure that we protect the special places that we love for ourselves and future generations. 

And in order to protect our playground, we dedicated one whole day of OR to a Keep It Wild day of action. Hundreds of people took action to support conservation causes and at the end of the day we celebrated conservation victories of the last year... And those on the horizon!

Big thanks to our member companies that took part, Black Diamond, Eagle Creek, Horny Toad, Kelty, Osprey Packs, Patagonia and the North Face, as well as all the conservation groups that came out and inspired OR attendees to take action: Save Our Canyons, Alaska Wilderness League, Nevada Wilderness Project, American Whitewater, American Rivers, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Save Our Wild Salmon and the National Parks Conservation Association.

Thanks again to all of our member companies for your awesome support and to the grantees making it happen on the ground. We couldn't do it without you! See you at Winter OR!

If you want to rock your own awesome animal hat, check out Yabbles Hats!

 

Restoring free-flowing rivers is no small task, but sometimes, we get the chance to celebrate victories. There's certainly reason to celebrate in Oregon where the Western Environmental Law Center, representing Rogue Flyfishers, Rogue Riverkeeper, and Waterwatch of Oregon, has been working extensively to ensure the removal of Gold Ray Dam on the Rogue River. 

$5 million of federal stimulus money was granted in 2009 to remove the dam, but the project was put on hold when adjacent landowners sued twice to seek to prevent removal.  WELC intervened in both proceedings, and after a hearing in federal court in Medford, the judge lifted a temporary restraining order and allowed the demolition to proceed.  

That means removal of Gold Ray Dam is well on its way, ensuring that the Rogue River will flow freely for 157 miles. The removal of Gold Ray, whose hydrofacilities have been out of use since 1972, is a win for both the environment and recreationists. In fact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife ranks removing the Gold Ray dam as among its highest priorities for restoring wild coho salmon in Oregon, because of impediments to upstream migration of wild salmon to spawning grounds above the dam and the warm slackwater reservoir, home to invasive fish species, that the dam created.

Now those salmon can swim freely and the rest of us can enjoy 157 miles of unobstructed Rogue! 

Want to check out a live-camera showing construction of the temporary coffer dam being built to divert the river so that the dam can be removed, and the river restored? Click here. 

 

 

We're less than two weeks out and have we got a lineup for you!

Happy Hour with Arc'teryx and the Conservation Alliance

Tuesday, August 3, 4 PM

Come raise a glass to celebrate conservation! Buy a $3 raffle ticket while you're there and be entered to win a sweet Arc'teryx jacket! All proceeds support the Conservation Alliance.

The Conservation Alliance Breakfast: A Talk by Historian Douglas Brinkley
Wednesday, August 4th, 7-8:50 AM at The Marriott.

I know, I know, 7 a.m. comes early, but mark your calendars for this event. Arrive tired and leave inspired! Click here for details.
 
Member Company Promotions: Score Awesome Product + Support the Alliance!

Promotions run throughout the show

Shoes, stoves, headlamps, watches... We've got you covered! We are excited to announce our largest fundraising event lineup to date. Support The Conservation Alliance and score great deals on sweet stuff at our 22 participating member booths. Click here for details.
 
Keep It Wild: Take Action for Conservation!

All day Wednesday, August 4th

We all know that if we want to get wild, we've got to protect our playground. So visit eight member company booths to take action on behalf of a Conservation Alliance grantee. Take action at all eight booths, have your Keep It Wild passport stamped and be entered to win a fabulous prize package! Click here for details.
 
KEEN Keep It Wild Party

4:30-6pm on August 4th

Join Keen, Inc. and The Conservation Alliance in celebrating the work of our grantees, the contributions of our member companies and get down to the beats of the Outdoor Industry All-Star Band at the KEEN Booth!

15th Annual Wasatch Wobble 5K Fun Run Badrock Battle – A Superhero Theme 

Thursday August 5th, Run Starts at: 6:45AM Check-In: 6:00-6:30AM

Why wouldn't you kick off Day 3 of the show with a trail run? Montrail is proud to announce that the Wasatch Wobble will be back again for the 15th running of this fun 5k trail run. Dress up in Superhero costume for a chance to win the costume contest! Stop by the Montrail booth #25001 on Tuesday or Wednesday, August 3rd or 4th, to register and receive your runner goodie bag! All proceeds support the Conservation Alliance.  Click here for more details.

 

A report commissioned by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee calls for a “conservation and wildlife management plan” for the transboundary Flathead and a new management plan for the Flathead River Valley that “gives priority to natural ecological values and wildlife conservation.” Read the press release. Sierra Club BC and its partners petitioned the World Heritage Committee in 2008, asking that Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park be designated a “World Heritage Site in Danger” due to energy and mining development in the Flathead, which lies adjacent to the park. A World Heritage Committee mission visited the Flathead last year. Their final report, released July 26 in Brazil, recognizes that B.C.’s Flathead “plays a crucial role in maintaining north-south connectivity in the Rockies.” It also notes that the “huge area of intact nature” in the Crown of the Continent ecosystem, which includes B.C.’s Flathead, offers “the best available environment to allow resilience and... Read More

 

Thanks to everyone that made our Keep it Wild Day at Outdoor Retailer a huge success. If you missed out on the fun, here are some pictures to give you an idea of just what supporting the Conservation Alliance and its grantees means.

Big thanks to our member companies that took part, Black Diamond, Eagle Creek, Horny Toad, Kelty, Osprey Packs, Patagonia and the North Face, as well as all the conservation groups that came out and inspired OR attendees to take action: Save Our Canyons, Alaska Wilderness League, Nevada Wilderness Project, American Whitewater, American Rivers, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Save Our Wild Salmon and the National Parks Conservation Association.