Photo: Tyler Roemer
No matter the size of a company, all The Conservation Alliance members have equal benefits, equal voting rights, and the equal opportunity to make a difference.
Conservation Alliance member, FootZone Bend, is a small, independently owned business in Bend, Oregon. FootZone Bend is a local fixture in the Central Oregon outdoor community and has a reputation for friendly service and the local know-how that makes them a trusted source of information in a region geared toward outdoor recreation.
When we asked Teague Hatfield, president and owner of FootZone Bend, why he is a Conservation Alliance member, he responded simply, "Because it makes sense."
Teague's membership in The Conservation Alliance is just a start to his commitment to conservation. Teague, and the entire FootZone staff, are active members of their community and see the value in protecting natural landscapes because it is important to the beauty, the lifestyle, and the economy of Central Oregon.
Protecting Bend's backyard is at the core of FootZone's business. They continuously raise awareness and speak out in support of important conservation initiative; including the efforts of Conservation Alliance grantees Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) and Deschutes Land Trust (DLT).
The Conservation Alliance has funded Oregon Natural Desert Association for their work to protect Oregon's high desert as Wilderness, namely on Steens Mountain, in the Oregon Badlands and in the Lower John Day River Basin.
The Deschutes Land Trust has received funding from The Conservation Alliance for their work to protect Skyline Forest from residential development and preserve it as a community forest to be enjoyed by hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians.
Teague volunteers countless hours each year on behalf of both these organizations. He sits on ONDA's board of directors and was instrumental in developing a report on the economic impacts of Wilderness on Central Oregon. Teague also traveled to Washington, D.C. to provide testimony on the need to protect the Oregon Badlands as Wilderness, which was designated as such in 2009.
FootZone Bend holds awareness raising events in their retail store, showcasing the conservation efforts of the Oregon Badlands Wilderness and the Whychus-Deschutes proposed Wilderness. They help raise funds for ONDA through the annual sale of the "Wild Desert Calendar", featuring brilliant photography of Oregon's high desert landscape.
The Dirty Half Marathon, a half-marathon trail running race organized by Footzone, is a direct benefit for the Deschutes Land Trust, and has raised more than $112,000 for Land Trusts' work to protect and bring awareness to the risks of development on Bend's community forests.
Teague believes strongly in the value of strategic alliances and shares his vision with the FootZone staff.
The result is a true collaboration between FootZone staff and its partners, where the local community is the ultimate winner.
Teague, why are you committed to conservation?
Because it makes sense.
Enough said.