The Conservation Alliance Announces Outstanding Partnership Awards

Bend, Ore., May 18, 2012 – KEEN, Inc. and FootZone are the winners of The Conservation Alliance Outstanding Partnership Awards for 2012.The award recognizes member companies who 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. Nine grantees nominated six different member companies (three members were nominated twice). Each nomination described how the company engaged in a meaningful partnership to help the organization succeed in its conservation work.

“We were impressed to learn about the great work our member companies are doing with our grantees,” said John Sterling, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance. “This award is designed to encourage direct interaction between our members and the conservation groups in their communities.”

Grantees American Whitewater and Oregon Wild both nominated KEEN, Inc., and described the company’s committed involvement to Wilderness-protection efforts in Oregon, and to river restoration and protection efforts throughout the US.

“Our partnership with KEEN looks to the future,” said American Whitewater Executive Director Mark Singleton. “We both see a world where healthy rivers have a vital role in supporting the well-being of all those who enjoy the great outdoors.”

FootZone, a retailer based in Bend, OR, also received two nominations. Grantees Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) and Deschutes Land Trust (DLT) both recognized the outsized role FootZone plays on conservation issues in Central Oregon.

“The FootZone is a local fixture in Central Oregon and a business that in many ways defines Bend,” said ONDA Executive Director Brent Fenty. Store owner Teague Hatfield serves on ONDA’s board, and the store has raised more than $112,000 for DLT through its annual Dirty Half trail race.

In addition to the two winners, nominees included: REI; Pearl Izumi; Patagonia; and CLIF Bar. Each nomination described a story of deep involvement between the company and the grantee. The winners were chosen by The Conservation Alliance Outreach Committee.

“It was so hard for the committee to choose two winners from this pool of nominees,” said Sterling. “Every story was compelling.”

Each Friday starting May 25th, The Conservation Alliance will profile a different nominated member/grantee partnership on the Alliance blog (www.conservationalliance.com/blog). The Outstanding Partnership Award will be an annual initiative.

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 $10.4 million to grassroots conservation groups. Alliance funding has helped save more than 29 million acres of wildlands; protect 2,700 miles of rivers; stop or remove 25 dams; designate five marine reserves; and purchase nine climbing areas.

For complete information on the Conservation Alliance, seewww.conservationalliance.com.