Outdoor Brands Invest in Public Lands Defense

May 18, 2020

Velocio, The North Face, and Patagonia Pool Resources to support The Conservation Alliance’s 2020 Public Lands Defense Fund

Bend, Ore., May 18 2020– Outdoor brands Velocio, Patagonia, and The North Face are supporting The Conservation Alliance’s effort to preserve and defend the integrity of our public lands system in 2020. Thanks to the support of these companies, The Conservation Alliance has awarded five grants from the organization’s Public Lands Defense Fund to groups working to defend the Roadless Rule, the National Environmental Policy Act, and Cascade Siskiyou National Monument.

The Conservation Alliance launched the Public Lands Defense Fund in January 2017 with a goal of supporting organizations that are strategically confronting efforts that would diminish our public lands system. The Conservation Alliance has awarded five Public Lands Defense Fund grants totaling $80,000 in 2020 to the following organizations:  Western Environmental Law Center for their efforts to defend the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument ($15,000) and stop attempts to weaken the National Environmental Policy Act ($15,000); The Wilderness Society for their effort to defend the Roadless Rule in Alaska and Utah ($20,000); Southeast Alaska Conservation Council for their effort to keep the Tongass National Forest roadless and wild ($15,000); and Taxpayers for Common Sense for their effort to defend the Roadless Rule ($15,000).

Conservation Alliance founding member companies Patagonia and The North Face each pledged $50,000 to support the Public Lands Defense Fund in 2020. This is the fourth consecutive year these companies have supported the Public Lands Defense Fund.

Cycling apparel company Velocio also donated $25,000 to the Alliance’s Public Lands Defense Fund. This donation is the result of a special edition cycling jersey inspired by the company’s commitment to protecting wild places. Velocio’s 1% Better Way campaign to raise funding for environmental organizations is in partnership with 1% for the Planet.

The Conservation Alliance has awarded a total of $727,000 in Public Lands Defense Fund grants since the fund was launched in 2017. The following companies have made significant contributions to the Public Lands Defense Fund: Arc’teryx, Patagonia, The North Face, Ruffwear, Gu Energy Labs, Velocio, Smartwool, Farm to Feet and KEEN. All donations to the Public Lands Defense Fund are incremental to a company’s annual membership dues.

“Our support for public lands is born of a need for those space,” said Andrew Gardner, Co-founder and Marketing Director at Velocio. “There is a better way to interact with our public lands and we’re grateful for work from the Conservation Alliance in protecting the places that define wild adventure and lonely freedom.”

“Ecologically and culturally significant protected areas, and important conservation laws are at risk,” said Brady Robinson, Executive Director at The Conservation Alliance. “Thanks to meaningful donations from Velocio, Patagonia and The North Face, we are in a position to support the organizations working tirelessly to uphold the integrity of our public lands system in 2020.”

About The Conservation Alliance:

The Conservation Alliance is an organization of like-minded 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 throughout North America. Membership in the Alliance is open to all companies who care about protecting our most threatened wild places for habitat and outdoor recreation. Since its inception in 1989, The Conservation Alliance has contributed more than $24 million, awarded 720 grants, helped to protect more than 73 million acres of wildlands and 3,575 miles of rivers; stop or remove 35 dams; designate five marine reserves; and purchase 17 climbing areas. For complete information about The Conservation Alliance, visit www.conservationalliance.com.

About Velocio:

Velocio creates a comprehensive range of high quality, innovative cycling apparel, paired with progressive brand ethics and inclusive culture. Taking a no-compromise approach to creating the best possible product in a responsible and ethical way, Velocio is committed to a better cycling experience.