The Conservation Alliance has just released Badlands, the first video of the worthWILD series, telling the story of a successful partnership between Conservation Alliance grantee, Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA), and Conservation Alliance member FootZone Bend.
This documentary video shows how the independently-owned, Bend, Oregon shoe store, the FootZone, has made a big difference in its local community through its activism and support of the ONDA and the Deschutes Land Trust (DLT).
President and owner of the FootZone, Teague Hatfield, along with his staff, volunteer countless hours each year on behalf of ONDA and DLT. Teague 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.
"Protecting the natural landscapes right in Bend's backyard is at the core of my business because I see the value this land brings to the beauty, the lifestyle, and the economy of Central Oregon," said Teague Hatfield, president and owner of FootZone. "A committed partnership with The Conservation Alliance and a dedicated staff has allowed us to raise awareness and appreciation for the land that has so much to offer the people and wildlife of Central Oregon. We are really thankful for that."
The Conservation Alliance has funded ONDA 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 DLT has also 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.
"The FootZone is a testament to the fact that, no matter the size of the company, all Conservation Alliance members have equal benefits, equal voting rights, and equal opportunity to make a difference," said John Sterling, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance. "Teague's hands-on involvement in ONDA, his passion for the Oregon wilderness and his community, and his activism as a Conservation Alliance member has resulted in thousands of acres of protected wilderness. We are proud to have members like the FootZone."
Produced by Red Reel Video, the Badlands ‘worthWILD' video is the first of four documentaries slated to roll out over the next four months.
"The ‘worthWILD' video series is a wonderful way for the outdoor industry to celebrate successful Conservation Alliance stories and a great reminder of what we are capable of when we stand together," said Alexandria Bombach, Producer, Red Reel Video. "As an outdoor filmmaker, it is an honor to work on this series because it embodies why I am dedicated to being a part of the outdoor business community that fights for our wild places and the future of our adventures into the great outdoors."
Watch the worthWILD-Badlands video here. For more information about the Conservation Alliance, visit www.conservationalliance.com.