Black Diamond Commits $10,000 to Help Preserve Skaha Bluffs, Canada

(Salt Lake City, Utah) – Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., a global leader in climbing and skiing manufacturing, has agreed to commit $10,000 (CAN) in a joint effort with Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) to help preserve Skaha Bluffs near Penticton, British Columbia. Skaha is not only a rare desert eco-system but also one of Canada’s premiere climbing destinations.

“Skaha has justifiably become an iconic crag in the North American climbing landscape and Black Diamond is excited to partner with MEC and The Land Conservancy of British Columbia to help provide permanent public access to this area,” states Peter Metcalf CEO, Black Diamond. Metcalf continues, “The active leadership role that MEC is taking to preserve Skaha Bluffs is an honorable one that deserves immediate attention to preserve this land for all future public access.”

“Skaha Bluffs is a jewel of Canadian ecology and a place of important recreational value. It epitomizes what MEC stands for,” said MEC CEO Peter Robinson. MEC has led the charge with a $250,000 grant to ensure permanent public access to all recreational users. In addition to the land acquisition grant, MEC has also initiated a donation program among its members that will match individual donations dollar for dollar up to $100,000.

“This joint effort is indicative of the resolve both MEC and Black Diamond have in terms of the activities we support,” Metcalf continues. “It is an example of an extraordinary business relationship that is bridging beyond providing innovative products to consumers and working to forever preserve valuable access to a unique recreational ecological area.”

MEC’s grant and Black Diamond’s donation will go to purchasing a piece of privately held land, sub-lot 18, which will provide a new permanent point of access to Skaha Bluffs. The deal must be completed by June 30, 2007 or sub-lot 18 could be sold to another party for development purposes and access would likely be lost.

For more information go to: http://www.conservancy.bc.ca/news_view.asp?id=735&ref=todays_news

Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. is an employee-owned manufacturer of equipment for rock climbing, alpinism and freeride skiing. By consistently building innovative products and actively preserving the mountain environment, Black Diamond has assumed a leadership role in the international outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond and the company’s family of brands, visit www.blackdiamondequipment.com

MEC is Canada’s leading retailer of outdoor clothing and equipment, providing quality products and services for self-propelled activities like hiking, climbing and skiing. Established in 1971, MEC has more than 2.5 million members throughout Canada and around the world. Widely recognized for its commitment to community and sustainability, MEC recently joined One Percent For The Planet, an alliance of some 500 companies in 20 countries that annually allocate one percent of their total revenues towards environmental initiatives.