Conservation Funding Reaches Half a Million
Zug, Switzerland - In 2006 the outdoor industry set up an organisation to proactively look after its livelihood and most vital resource – the natural environment. Since then, and from a standing start, the EOG Association for Conservation has funded fourteen projects contributing €300,000 to grass roots conservation projects worldwide. With almost 50 members, the Association this year has reached the impressive half a million Euro funding milestone.
Association members have chosen a further eight extremely diverse and far-ranging projects for 2009. The announcement of those projects takes place on the second day of OutDoor, with some of the project representatives giving a brief introduction to their work.
Calla – Association for Conservation of the Environment, Czech Republic
Nominated by Rock Point
Calla has created one of the largest sand martin nest sites in Southern Bohemia over the last 10 years through the management of disused sand pits. With the Association’s help, the project aims to create and restore five further nest sites and three ponds as well as use lectures and excursions to inform and win support from the local public.
CMELAK – New Virgin Forest Project, Czech Republic
Nominated by Rock Point
This project has one of the longest plans – 300 years! The aim is to transform areas of pine monoculture into mixed forest supporting a high biodiversity through the purchase of land, awareness campaigns and planting tens of thousands of native species saplings.
Makay Nature Project, Madagascar
Nominated by Petzl
Thanks to its extraordinary and convoluted relief, the Makay mountain range has protected many different and endemic ecosystems, however due to farming and bush fire practices, it has now become a matter of urgency to protect this threatened area. The project aims to draw up an inventory of Makay’s biodiversity, raise awareness of biodiversity issues, educate local people about the preservation of their natural resources, create eco-tourist trails and obtain Protected Area status.
Euronatur, Germany Brown Bear Conservation, Northern Spain
Nominated by Vaude
Following work to stabilise numbers and improve the habitat of the brown bear population in the western ranges of the Cantabrian Mountains, the project is being awarded funding to improve the situation for the population in the eastern ranges. This will include improving the bear’s food supply, minimising the impact of hunting and poaching, monitoring the status and development of the population and organising age-based educational activities.
Surfers Against Sewage Campaign Film, UK
Nominated by Patagonia
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) aims to produce and distribute an educational film following a well-known, professional surfer, initiating a number of campaigns within local communities to protect local surfing areas. The film aims to inspire, educate and mobilise SAS supporters to undertake their own campaigning efforts, linked directly to SAS campaigns, to achieve positive outcomes for their local beach environment.
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds Protection of the Red-Footed Falcon, Bulgaria
Nominated by Patagonia
With the help of the EOG Association for Conservation, this project aims to continue the BSPB’s work for the Red-Footed Falcon which has suffered drastic declines in Bulgaria over the past decade. The project will take place in 3 regions of Bulgaria and will involve construction, installation and monitoring of specially designed nest boxes, and public awareness and media campaigns to change attitudes and behaviour that harms the Red-Footed Falcon.
Deutscher Alpen Verein Reconstruction of Gamsscharte, Eastern Alps
Nominated by Messe Friedrichshafen (OutDoor)
The Gamsscharte is an important Alpine passage connecting three refuges in the Tirol, Salzburg and Südtirol. Due to a receding glacier over the last few years, the passage has become so dangerous it has had to be closed. The project involves identifying the course of a new trail and constructing a secure pathway, involving local volunteers.
Biosphere Expeditions Human-Predator Conflict in Mamili National Park, Caprivi National Park, Namibia
Nominated by Haglöfs
In Mamili National Park there is urgent need to find strategies to resolve conflict between predators and humans, which has led to a significant decline in animal numbers, as well as threatening the lives and livelihoods of local inhabitants. This project involves the fitting of GPS collars to problem animals to enable tracking, alerting communities and relocation if necessary, workshops on animal husbandry and kraal construction (predator-proof cattle holding areas) and purchase of solar garden lamps for use round kraals at night.
The EOG Association for Conservation – Working to protect the outdoor environment for future generations.
Notes to Editors:
The EOG Association for Conservation is an initiative from the European outdoor industry with the objective of protecting the wild areas that we care so passionately about.
The Association is designed to harness the incredible power of the outdoor industry and to raise money to donate to grass roots conservation groups.
The EOG Association for Conservation is funded by membership and other fundraising activities within the outdoor industry. 100% of membership fees go to the support of projects.
Membership is open to anyone that can demonstrate an involvement in the outdoor industry.
To find out more about the EOG Association for Conservation please go to www.eogconservation.org
Press Releases are also available on the News and Press page of the website.
Contacts:
PR & Marketing – Vanessa Knowles
Tel: +44 1942 886402 Mobile: +44 7843 488964 Email: vanessa.knowles@eogconservation.org
EOG Association for Conservation – Tanya Bascombe
Tel: +44 1539 727255 Mobile: +44 7833 488843 Email: tanya.bascombe@eogconservation.org
Friday, July 17th, 2009