Next Friday, March 19, volunteers from local outdoor recreation businesses in Ventura, Calif. will get their hands dirty in an effort to clean-up the Ventura River and Surfers Point Beach. This event will kick off the 2010 Backyard Collective season!
Organized by ConservationNEXT (a program of The Conservation Alliance) with help from the Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Deckers, Horny Toad and Patagonia (all Conservation Alliance members), the Backyard Collective is a roving volunteer event that brings together outdoor industry employees and Conservation Alliance grantees for a day of hands on environmental stewardship.
The CEO’s of each of the three participating companies will kick the day off before getting down to work cleaning up the beach and the river. Volunteers will be rewarded for their hard work with an after party including refreshments, music by Todd Hannigan, and food catered by Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Company.
“The Backyard Collectives are a great way to bring outdoor industry companies together to help with an environmental service project in their own backyard. And these types of events can make a huge difference,” said Deanna Lloyd – ConservationNEXT board member and employee at The Forest Group. “This group of volunteers will be making a significant contribution to the overall maintenance and beauty of this area.”
The event will also feature a volunteer fair at which Conservation Alliance grantees and local environmental organizations will share information on their current conservation initiatives.
The Conservation Alliance launched ConservationNEXT in August, 2008 to connect individuals in the outdoor industry with the work of organizations that receive financial support from the Alliance. ConservationNEXT provides people with opportunities to take online action in support of conservation. The Backyard Collective moves that action to the field, and helps people get their hands dirty in their own communities.
Stay tuned to learn about Backyard Collectives coming to your neck of the woods!