The Conservation Alliance will hold its final Backyard Collective event of 2015 on Friday, October 2, in Bend, Ore. The Conservation Alliance and its Central Oregon area member companies are teaming up with Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) to organize a day of trail work.
Close to 40 volunteers are expected to be present with employee representatives from Conservation Alliance member companies, including: Ruffwear, Hydro Flask, Carin, Footzone of Bend, Picky Bars, Cascade Financial Strategies, and QuickFeat International. Conservation Alliance grantees, including Oregon Natural Desert Association and Central Oregon Lands Watch, Oregon Wild and Deschutes Lands Trust will participate in a lunchtime volunteer fair alongside COTA.
The Bend Backyard Collective will begin on Friday, October 2 at 8:30 a.m. at the Conklin Road parking area near the intersection of Conklin Road and Century Drive in Bend. Following the trail building activities, volunteers will gather at Ruffwear headquarters for lunch and the volunteer fair.
“Through our membership with The Conservation Alliance, the Ruffwear pack enjoys being a part of the annual Backyard Collective event,” said Susan Strible, Director of Marketing, Ruffwear. “Our team closes up shop for the day to work on local trails for current and future generations to enjoy, both two and four legged. It’s a great way for us to give back and to honor Ruffwear’s commitment to protecting and preserving wild spaces.”
“We are proud to play a small part in the mission of The Conservation Alliance,” said Jack Schniepp of Cascade Financial Strategies. “The work they do brings far reaching benefits including many in the realm of finance. It’s gratifying to receive information about specific projects and to have a say in the direction of funding.”
The Alliance launched the Backyard Collective Program in 2008 to connect individuals in the outdoor industry with the work of organizations that receive financial support from the group. The Backyard Collective moves that action to the field, and gives people a venue to get their “hands dirty” for the sake of conservation.
“The Conservation Alliance looks forward to bringing our Bend-area members together for a day of stewardship and fun,” said John Sterling, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance. “Bend is the home of The Conservation Alliance and a growing hub of outdoor industry brands. The enthusiasm of Bend’s member companies is incredible.”
In addition to the Bend event, The Conservation Alliance organized Backyard Collectives this year in Santa Barbara, the Bay Area, Seattle, Portland, and Boulder.
