The Conservation Alliance “Backyard Collective” Rallies 150 Volunteers to Dig in the Dirt with the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy on April 13

April 11, 2017

BEND, Ore. (April 11, 2017) – The Conservation Alliance kicks off its 10^th anniversary of its Backyard Collective volunteer event series with an event in Ventura, Calif. on Thursday, April 13. The Conservation Alliance is teaming up with the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) to organize a day of invasive species removal, tree planting, trail building, and habitat restoration at VHC’s Big Rock Nature Preserve.

More than 150 volunteers are expected to be present 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from The Conservation Alliance member companies, including: Patagonia, Deckers Outdoor, Toad & Co. and REI.

“As a founding member of The Conservation Alliance, Patagonia looks forward to the Backyard Collective event in Ventura each year,” said Hans Cole, environmental campaigns and advocacy manager for Patagonia and member of The Conservation Alliance board of directors. “Not only does it give our employees the opportunity to work side-by-side with other Conservation Alliance member companies, but it also provides the chance for us to make a positive contribution on the local level.”

The mission of The Conservation Alliance is to engage businesses to fund and partner with organizations to protect wild places for their habitat and recreation values. The Alliance launched the Backyard Collective Program to connect member company employees in the outdoor industry with the work of organizations that receive funding from the group.

“We look forward to kicking off the 10^th year of our Backyard Collective program in Ventura,” said John Sterling, executive director of The Conservation Alliance. “Over the past decade, our members in the Ventura/Santa Barbara area have pulled together for some impressive stewardship work. Conservation starts at home, and these events represent a strong commitment to preserving the area’s backyard.”

The Backyard Collective moves that action to their local community, and gives these employees a venue to get their “hands dirty” for the sake of conservation.

“Toad & Co. is a proud member of The Conservation Alliance, and we love the Backyard Collective event because it gives our employees the opportunity to give back by restoring wild places in our own backyard,” said Scott Whipps, global VP of sales for Toad & Co. and member of The Conservation Alliance board of directors. “It’s hard to believe it has been 10 years since the first Backyard Collective event was held, and we look forward to the next 10 years and beyond.” 

For more information about this event, please contact Brook Hopper, founder of the Conservation Alliance and events coordinator for the Backyard Collective at brook@conservationalliance.com or at 805.340.5034. 

Day-Of Interview Opportunities:
Derek Poultney
Executive Director
Ventura Hillsides Conservancy
derek@venturahillsides.org 

Hans Cole
Environmental Campaigns and Advocacy Manager
Patagonia
Hans.cole@patagonia.com

Scott Whipps
Vice President of Global Sales
Toad&Co.
swhipps@toadandco.com 

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. 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 $18 million, awarded 552 grants, helped to protect more than 50 million acres of wildlands; protect 2,991 miles of rivers; stop or remove 29 dams; designate five marine reserves; and purchase 12 climbing areas. For complete information on The Conservation Alliance, see: www.conservationalliance.com. 

About the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy:

The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to preserving and protecting Ventura’s hillsides, waterways and wildlife. Founded in 2003, the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is supported by over 500 members, local businesses and government partners. The land trust manages 80 acres of land near the Ventura River and is working toward the purchase of its first hillside property. Further information about the Conservancy is at: www.venturahillsides.org.