The Conservation Alliance Announces 2015 Outstanding Partnership Awards

Filson, Juniper Ridge, and KEEN win praise for their outstanding partnerships with Alliance grantees

Bend, Ore., April 30, 2015 –The Conservation Alliance announces Filson, Juniper Ridge, and KEEN as the winners of its Outstanding Partnership Award for 2015.The award recognizes member companies that go above and beyond in building relationships with Conservation Alliance grantees.

All Conservation Alliance grantees from the past two years were invited to nominate member companies for recognition. Each nomination described how the company engaged in a meaningful partnership to help the organization succeed in its conservation work.

“The Outstanding Partnership Award brings to light the commitment our member companies have for the work of our grantees,” said John Sterling, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance. “We are thrilled to celebrate the direct interaction between our members and the conservation groups in their communities. These are the partnerships that truly showcase the importance of business voice in conservation policy and the real and direct benefits of member/grantee collaboration.”

Grantee American Rivers nominated Filson for a partnership that has spanned many years and is based on a mutual passion and respect for protecting our wild places.

“Filson has been a wonderful partner to American Rivers, and Amy Terai, Filson’s Marketing Manager, is tremendous to work with,” said Wendy McDermott, Washington State Conservation Director, American Rivers. “Filson donated one-percent of its fishing wader sales to American Rivers and hosted two events on behalf of American Rivers in the past year; Filson is truly an outstanding partner.”

Portland, Oregon-based KEEN was nominated by Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) for an unprecedented organizational commitment.

“It’s difficult to imagine a more active and supportive partner in conservation than KEEN Footwear,” said Brent Fenty, Executive Director, ONDA. “From boots on the ground to building organizational capacity, KEEN has consistently soared above and beyond in assisting the Oregon Natural Desert Association’s efforts to protect, defend and restore Oregon’s high desert. 

Juniper Ridge, a Wilderness Fragrance Distillery based in Berkeley, California, was nominated by grantee Tuleyome for its unyielding support for the protection of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.  

“Juniper Ridge promotes awareness of the wild spaces we love and exemplifies the Conservation Ethic in all its business practices,” said Bob Schneider, Senior Policy Director, Tuleyome. “They are, quite simply, awesome partners.”

Beginning on Friday, May 1, The Conservation Alliance will profile an Outstanding Partnership story on the Alliance blog (www.conservationalliance.com/news). The Outstanding Partnership Award is an annual initiative. Previous winners of the award include Patagonia, Outdoor Gear Exchange, prAna, Mountain Equipment Co-op, The Forest Group, Eagles Nest Outfitters, Black Diamond, and Footzone of Bend.

About the Conservation Alliance The Conservation Alliance is an organization of outdoor businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots environmental organizations and their efforts to protect wild places where outdoor enthusiasts recreate. Alliance funds have played a key role in protecting rivers, trails, wildlands and climbing areas.

Membership in the Alliance is open to companies representing all aspects of the outdoor industry, including manufacturers, retailers, publishers, mills and sales representatives. The result is a diverse group of businesses whose livelihood depends on protecting our natural environment. 

Since its inception in 1989, the Alliance has contributed more than $14 million to grassroots conservation groups. Alliance funding has helped save more than 44 million acres of wildlands; protect 2,945 miles of rivers; stop or remove 26 dams; designate five marine reserves; and purchase 10 climbing areas.

For complete information on The Conservation Alliance, please visit: www.conservationalliance.com.

John Sterling 541-389-2424john@conservationalliance.com