The year has already been off to a busy start for our work here at The Conservation Alliance. We kicked the year off by announcing our newest slate of Confluence Grantees, which marks our fifth year of the Confluence Program. We also recently launched our 2026 Member Collective Grant cycle and our 2026 Business Advocacy Network cohort is also beginning this month.
While there is already a lot to be proud of, we’re also remaining vigilant about defending our cherished outdoor spaces from attacks coming from all directions. Key landscapes like the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are facing direct threats, and some of our bedrock environmental laws like the Roadless Rule and the National Environmental Policy Act are under attack.
Supporting The Conservation Alliance means investing in more than conservation – it’s about safeguarding the resources that sustain businesses, strengthening the outdoor economy, and ensuring lasting business resilience. Read on to learn more about several opportunities for our member companies and donors to support these efforts.
Member Collective Grant recommendations/inquiries now OPEN!
We’re excited to launch the 2026 Member Collective grant cycle! This program allows TCA members to help steer critical funds to conservation efforts across North America that protect land and water, support climate resiliency and biodiversity, and strengthen local communities and outdoor economies.
The process begins with an inquiry and recommendation phase to identify strong groups and projects that align with our funding criteria and conservation priorities. Applicants may submit an inquiry directly to TCA, and members can also recommend organizations for funding.
Recommendations and inquiries for the 2026 Member Collective cycle will be accepted from March 2 – April 10, 2026. Contact Kim@conservationalliance.com to learn more.
There’s still time to join the Spring We Keep It Wild campaign
We Keep it Wild is a week-long campaign during which participating companies will donate 5% of their online revenue to The Conservation Alliance (TCA). The spring 2026 campaign will be April 19-25.
This is an opportunity for businesses to amplify their commitment to conservation at this critically important time and get much needed resources into the hands of community leaders and TCA grantees working day in and day out to protect natural places and outdoor spaces. Funds from this campaign will also contribute to TCA’s ongoing work across our advocacy portfolio. The campaign is an effective way for companies to communicate their conservation values, introduce customers to The Conservation Alliance, and raise consumer awareness about the importance of protecting natural places and outdoor spaces.
If you’re interested in having your brand participate in the spring campaign, please complete this form by March 14th! Contact Monica@conservationalliance.com to learn more.
New Study Shows: National Monuments Support Local Economies
We’re excited to share a new study, conducted in partnership with Headwaters Economics, that explores the local economic impacts of National Monuments. The results of this study confirm what many business owners and employees across the West already knew to be true – national monuments and other protected public lands drive visitors, customers, recreationalists, and more to communities that depend on outdoor exploration and tourism to thrive. Western counties with protected public lands, like national monuments, are projected to be more successful at attracting fast-growing economic sectors and as a result are expected to grow more quickly, on average, than counties without protected public lands.
Join TCA’s NEW Member Slack Community!
The Conservation Alliance unites diverse organizations and communities around a shared mission: protecting North America’s lands, waters, and wildlife. That’s why we’re excited to share our newest networking opportunity: TCA’s member slack channel. Our slack channel provides a digital space for member companies to connect with other business leaders to network, share stories, and learn from other experts. To join, simply click this link and enter your information. We look forward to chatting with you there!
Advocacy Updates
Senator Mike Lee and Congresswoman Celeste Maloy, alongside the remaining members of Utah’s congressional delegation, introduced a resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s Resource Management Plan for the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. This will significantly reduce protections for the national monument and permanently restrict the Bureau of Land Management from creating a similar RMP in the future. Significantly changing the RMP would be detrimental to tribes and local businesses who rely on the monument. Learn more.
The U.S. Senate will soon vote on whether to overturn the 20 year mining ban that protects the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from toxic copper mining. Last month, the House passed H.J. Res. 140, which uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the region’s 2023 mining ban. We anticipate an uphill battle as the bill moves to the Senate. Stay tuned to learn how to take action and help save the Boundary Waters. Learn more.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is preparing their Draft Environmental Impact Statement about the Roadless Rule. Secretary Brooke Rollins, has already made her intentions to roll the Roadless Rule back clear, so we anticipate the alternative plans in the DEIS to be unfavorable for conservation. We anticipate a 60 day comment period sometime this spring before the USDA finalizes the Environmental Impact Statement. TCA will be sending all the resources you need as the comment period begins. Learn more.
2026 Events and Key Dates
Hestival
May 1 – 3
Hotchkiss, CO
A family and dog-friendly weekend packed with outdoor adventures, live music, great food and drink, and nights spent camping beneath the stars and blossoming apple orchards. A portion of every ticket will be donated to The Conservation Alliance.
DC Fly-in
May 18 – 20
Washington D.C.
Each year, TCA brings representatives from member companies to Washington D.C. to meet with elected officials and federal agency staff about our priority campaigns. This is our biggest opportunity to advocate for the protection of public lands and waters- making the business case for conservation. This is a TCA members only event.
Switchback Spring
June 16-18
New Orleans, LA
TCA is excited to partner with Switchback this spring to bring awareness to the current state of America’s public lands and waters and how brands and individuals can help protect them. Switchback is a dedicated gathering place for all sectors of the outdoor industry community, blending education, peer connection opportunities, and business meetings.
2026 TCA Summit
November 9 – 11
Taberash, CO
Join The Conservation Alliance for our Summit where we convene member companies to shape the future of business-led conservation. The event will take place in an immersive outdoor setting where participants will attend panels and interactive sessions as well as participate in a variety of outdoor activities at Devil’s Thumb Ranch in the Rocky Mountains. Register today! This is a TCA members only event.
