CONSERVATION ALLIANCE REPORTS 12 NEW MEMBERS SINCE WINTER MARKET

Twelve outdoor industry companies have joined The Conservation Alliance since the January OR Show. With a steady increase in membership, the Alliance now boasts 160 companies.

The new members are: Backcountry.com; Chuckanut 50K Race; earcomm; Eco-X, Inc.; Headsweats; Hotwax Media; Naukabout; Quick Feat International; Repreve by Unifi; Schoeller Textil, USA; Solstice; and The Active Marketing Group.

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 is on track to donate $900,000 in 2008.

"Threats to our wild places continue to grow," said John Sterling, Conservation Alliance Executive Director. "It's great to see outdoor businesses stepping up to support the conservation efforts that are important to our industry."

Building on a partnership launched in 2005, KEEN Footwear will match the first year's dues of any company that joins the Conservation Alliance in 2008. With the new additions, KEEN has thus far matched $403,900 in new member dues since June, 2005.

New members include manufacturers, retailers, factories, mills, endurance races, and public affairs agencies.

"Our community of conservation-minded companies continues to grow," said Sterling. "Together, we will save the wild places so important to outdoor customers."