We are proud that The Conservation Alliance continues to grow as the outdoor industry further recognizes the importance of protecting wild places for their habitat and recreation values. In 2016, we contributed an all-time high $1.61 million to 43 conservation organizations. That means that our 200 member companies pulled together like never before to fund the most effective conservation projects in North America. Our primary function remains. We collect annual membership dues from outdoor industry companies, and grant 100 percent of those dues to organizations working to protect specific wild lands and waterways throughout North America. When appropriate, we supplement those grants by facilitating opportunities for our member companies and their employees to become more involved in our grantees’ campaigns. Here are the highlights from 2016:
- We contributed $1,610,000 to 43 organizations working to protect and restore North America’s wild places.
- Our grantees delivered 14 important conservation victories that: protected 5,427,708 acres of land and 19 river miles; halted one dam; acquired one climbing area, and halted one oil pipeline.
- We added 19 new members.
- We added $50,000 to The Conservation Alliance Legacy Fund, an endowment that provides a permanent source of operational funding for the Alliance. And we withdrew $150,000 from the Legacy Fund to help cover our operating budget.
- We launched our Leading Edge program, which gives individuals the opportunity to make significant contributions to The Conservation Alliance.
- Through our advocacy program, we engaged our members in efforts to secure new national monument designations throughout the US.
- We organized seven Backyard Collective events, on-the-ground stewardship projects designed to give employees of our member companies the opportunity to volunteer for our grantees.
- We organized seven Wild Drinks events, bringing together grantees and member company employees in a happy hour setting.
- We developed a new three-year strategic plan to guide our work through 2019.
It is our honor to serve as a connecting point between the outdoor industry and the conservation community. We look forward to another exciting year in 2017.
