CONSERVATION STORIES
Stewarding Natural
&
Cultural Travel Assets Worldwide
Welcome ATCF's Newest Board Members!
ATCF is thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our three newest board members, Amy Brown, Deirdre Campbell, and Maria José Andrade whose remarkable achievements, innovative ideas, and dedication to environmental conservation can be found throughout the adventure travel industry! Each member brings a unique set of skills and experiences, whether it be in sustainable tourism, biodiversity conservation, or community engagement. We are eager to witness the positive impact they will undoubtedly make on our initiatives.
As we celebrate the addition of these accomplished individuals to our organization, we are confident that their diverse expertise will support ATCF’s mission to harness the travel community's environmental and cultural conservation efforts for maximum impact.
Amy Brown
Amy Brown has experience in the outdoor gear and adventure travel industries working in marketing, communications, and partnerships. She has volunteered with the ATCF for five years as a member of the outreach committee and was involved in the launch of the nonprofit while at ExOfficio. She recently completed her master’s and Ph.D. in Leadership Development and during that time she completed a needs assessment for the ATCF to support the exploration and decision-making of topics related to the direction of the nonprofit.
Amy is experienced in running campaigns and is a well-spoken professional capable of clearly communicating messages and generating audience interest and engagement. She developed these skills at Brooks Running, ExOfficio, and then with the Adventure Travel Trade Association. Over the last five years in her doctoral program, Amy gained skills in program implementation and evaluation related to behavior change initiatives. This is important for reaching audiences who may be less aware of the value and significance of the ATCF's work and will help increase awareness and adoption of the nonprofit’s initiatives.
Amy will assist the Storytelling and the Connection & Collaboration Subcmitte by developing outreach initiatives and exploring creative partnerships for ATCF’s annual Travel Conservation Auction. Her skills in distilling relevant research and communicating impact through data can demonstrate the capabilities of the ATCF and its grantees to external funding agencies in a meaningful way. The board of directors welcomes her natural enthusiasm and learned skillset and looks forward to her contributions to help grow ATCF’s audience with consumers and industry partners.
Deirdre Campbell
After 10 years working in hotel and agency PR, Deirdre launched her own company, tartanbond, in 2001, while undertaking her MBA. At the time, sustainable business practices were just being taught, but the concepts captured me immediately and she began her career in sustainable and regenerative tourism, launching the BC Sustainable Tourism Collective in time for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, was a founding director with the Global Ecotourism Network (GEN) and became very involved in Indigenous tourism.
As an original supporter of the ATCF, Deirdre is looking to give back to the ATCF and support Indigenous communities globally. She hopes to bring to the board her knowledge of sustainable and regenerative tourism (she is the co-founder of the IMPACT Summit for sustainable tourism in Canada now in its 7th year), and her communications expertise. Her skills in communications, reputation management, crisis communication, issues management, and stakeholder engagement will be an excellent addition to the Storytelling Subcommittee and the board of directors!
Maria José Andrade
Maria’s work history started in 1999 co-creating and developing Tierra del Volcán, a tourism operator specialized in adventure travel in Ecuador. Together, with her husband Jorge Pérez, they developed a project in which tourism became a model of sustainable development and an alternative to extensive agriculture practices in the haciendas we run in the buffer zone of Cotopaxi National Park. Having grown up in the countryside very close to nature; traveled abroad for 18 months at the age of 17, to serve as a volunteer and to explore remote places on a solo journey; with her university education in Liberal Arts and Anthropology, Maria was able to combine her passions at the work that she performed: nature, travel and culture.
“I believe in tourism as a source of good and think that adventure travel is a powerful tool to sensibilize people and raise awareness on the importance of conservation of natural resources and the respect and preservation of local livelihoods of communities living in nature. Adventure travel and sustainable tourism is a game changer. It brings education, opportunities, and resources to areas of high biodiversity.”
Maria will bring energy, a willingness to serve the cause, and her experience as a woman leading a ground-based NGO to the ATCF. Her ability to bridge the gap between local cosmovision and the global vision will prove beneficial to her role on the Convening Communities Subcommittee. The board of directors will rely on Maria’s temperance and resourcefulness when navigating uncertainty and hope to gain insight into her ability to integrate local vision to address global challenges.
ATCF is incredibly fortunate to have such accomplished individuals join our board of directors. Their passion, expertise, and commitment to environmental stewardship are invaluable assets that will undoubtedly shape the future of our organization. As we eagerly anticipate the positive contributions and transformative impact they will bring, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for choosing to embark on this journey with us.
2023 Travel Conservation Auction Winners!
The 2023 Travel Conservation Auction has been an incredible success, thanks to the unwavering support of over 35 generous donors who contributed their adventure travel trips, gear, and community connections to support our mission. Thanks to their support, we met our goal of $60,000, double what was raised in 2022. This remarkable achievement not only demonstrates the power of community and collaboration but also signifies the industry's commitment to protecting wild places.
We are immensely grateful and extend our heartfelt thanks to donors, bidders, and other partners who have enabled the ATCF to continue helping protect and preserve our world for future generations. The support demonstrated will have a lasting impact, enhancing project initiatives that protect the adventure travel communities we know and love.
ADVENTURE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
7-Day Upper Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure to Machu Picchu, PERU
Donated by Mountain Lodges of Peru
Won by Tara C.
5-Day Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure to Machu Picchu, PERU
Donated by Mountain Lodges of Peru
Won by Adam B.
4-Nights at Jamtara Wilderness Camp, INDIA
Donated by Encounters Asia
Won by Heather M.
5-Day Ancient Capitals Walking Tour in Kansai, JAPAN
Donated by Oku Japan
Won by Christina T.
14-Day Snow Leopard Expedition Led by Ismail Shariff, INDIA
Donated by Banjara Experiences
Won by Jan L.
6-Day Galapagos Wildlife Cruise, ECUADOR
Donated by Enchanted Expeditions
Won by Lan P.
5-Night Local Culinary Cooking Experience, DOMINICA
Donated by Discover Dominica
Won by Hannah M.
5-Day Rafting Trip, IDAHO
Donated by OARS
Won by Katie F.
2-Nights at Hotel Aguas Claras, COSTA RICA
Donated by Cayuga Collection
Won by Gordon S.
3-Night Maldives Marine Life Guided Tour, MALDIVES
Donated by Secret Paradise Maldives
Won by Isaac D.
5-Day Hiking & Camping Adventure for Two: Zion & Bryce, USA
Donated by REI Adventures
Won by Judy C.
5-Day W Trek Adventure in Torres del Paine, CHILE
Donated by Chile Nativo
Won by Joey P.
9-Day Camino de Santiago Tour, SPAIN
Donated by Wilderness Travel
Won by Hasissam K.
13-Day Patagonia Volunteer Trip, CHILE
Donated by ConservationVIP
Won by Thom B.
9-Day Whales & Wild Isles Expedition Cruise for 2 people, CANADA
Donated by Maple Leaf Adventures
Won by Heather M.
3 Nights at Hacienda El Porvenir, ECUADOR
Donated by Tierra del Volcan
Won by Christina T.
11-Day Wild Borneo Adventure, MALAYSIA
Donated by Sticky Rice Travel
Won by Lan P.
8-Day Bike & Boat Dalmatian Coast Tour for 2, CROATIA
Donated by Experience Plus! Bicycle Tours
Won by Xima
6-Day Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail Adventure, NEW ZEALAND
Donated by Adventure South NZ
Won by Deb C.
4-Day Rancho Cacachilas Adventure Camp, BCS, MEXICO
Donated by Rancho Cachilas
Won by Gina B.
7-Day Idaho Middle Fork of the Salmon River Rafting Tour for 2, USA
Donated by Mountain Travel Sobek
Won by Katie F.
3-Days Hotel Las Torres All Inclusive Experience, CHILE
Donated by Las Torres Patagonia
Won by Mary N.
Adventure Travel Gear
MiiR Coffee Bundle & Wine Bundle
Donated by MiiR
Won by Jon W.
GRAYL® Camp Cook Kit
Donated by GRAYL
Won by Jane B.
2 Helinox Sunset Chairs & 1 Helinox Table One Hard Top
Donated by Helinox
Won by Claudia L.
REI Co-op Big Haul Recycled Rolling Duffel - 34"
Donated by REI Co-op
Won by Nicolas C.
$250 Toad & Co Gift Card
Donated by Toad & Co
Won by Charles A.
2 prAna Verde Yoga Mats
Donated by prAna
Won by Emily L.
GRAYL® HipPack Go Kit
Donated by GRAYL
Won by Jon W.
Eagle Creek Tarmac XE 2-Wheel 29" Luggage in Artic Seagreen
Donated by Eagle Creek
Won by Mohit G.
Peak Design 35L Travel Duffle, set of Packing Cubes, & Wash Pouch
Donated by Peak Design
Won by Luis V.
$600 Oboz Gift Card
Donated by Oboz Footwear
Won by on Jon B.
REI Co-op Big Haul 60 Recycled Duffel + Packing Cube Set
Donated by REI
Won by Norie Q.
Adventure Travel Connections
5-Hours with ATCF Board of Directors
Donated by ATCF BOD
Won by Kirsten D.
5-Hours of Travel Marketing Consulting
Donated by AirTour.io
Won by Robin F.
Ticket to 2024 Adventure Travel World Summit + Carbon Removal
Donated by Adventure Travel Trade Association and Tomorrow’s Air
Won by Raza
AUCTION DONORS
We can’t thank our donors enough for their generosity and commitment to protecting our wild places. The ATCF was born to bring the travel and outdoor industry together to make a meaningful impact on conservation and the brands you see above are helping lead the way. From donating $10,000+ trips to some of the best travel gear in the world. These are really special brands and all we can ask is next time you’re looking for a trip or a new piece of gear that you keep them in mind.
Auction Committee: Soraya Shattuck, Hannah Lambert, Norie Quintos, Amy Brown, and Jonathan Burnham
Our auction committee did an incredible job this year, they helped double last year’s auction goal. From donor outreach to setting up the auction platforms to social media, this team put in hundreds of volunteer hours to make this auction a success. A lot goes on behind the scenes and we couldn’t have done it without these conservation rockstars!
If you had any part in our 2023 auction, from donating to bidding or just sharing on social media we are so grateful for your support.
We can’t wait to see what 2024 brings!
Conservation Conversations with Mountain Travel Sobek
Massimo Prioreschi is the president and CEO of Mountain Travel Sobek, based in Emeryville, California. It is North America’s oldest adventure travel company specializing in group and custom adventure travel across the globe, including hiking, trekking, rafting, wildlife, and cultural journeys. With a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism, MT Sobek aims to provide travelers with immersive experiences while minimizing their impact on the environment and local communities. Mountain Travel Sobek is a member of ATCF at the Adventure Steward level. “Sustainable and responsible travel is more important now than ever before,” says Prioreschi. “As we continue to grapple with the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, it is imperative that we all take responsibility for our impact on the natural world.”
How does MT Sobek approach the issues of climate change, over-tourism, and other problems facing places?
We believe in the power of responsible, small-group tourism to support local communities and mitigate these problems. We offer off-the-beaten-path destinations such as Algeria, Turkmenistan, and Iraq, and we explore lesser-known trails in popular locations like Yosemite and the Alps. We promote traveling during shoulder seasons to spread out tourism throughout the year and reduce over-tourism during peak months. We mostly use local guides to reduce the carbon footprint of moving guides around the globe. We also use public transportation where possible. In our commitment to fighting climate change, we support conservation efforts, minimize waste, and encourage eco-friendly transportation and carbon offset programs for our travelers.
You’ve come in as an Adventure Steward of the ATCF, a $5,000-level annual commitment. Why?
I’m personally committed to supporting conservation efforts and, as an Adventure Steward of the ATCF, Mountain Travel Sobek can amplify its impact by banding together with like-minded companies. By supporting organizations like the ATCF, we can help to protect the places we love by supporting projects that solve sustainability issues in the places where we travel and help ensure that future generations can enjoy them as well.
The history of MTS is fascinating and goes back to the early days of modern adventure travel. What has that given you as you look to the future?
The company has always had a deep passion for sustainable and responsible travel. It has always been at the forefront of the small-group adventure travel industry, and since the beginning recognized the importance of respecting and protecting the local communities and environment that we visit.
One of our core values is to use local guides. Travelers not only get a more authentic and immersive experience, but it also supports the local economy by ensuring the benefits remain there. Local guides possess an intimate knowledge of the culture, history, and environment of their home regions, and they can offer insights and perspectives that would be impossible to gain otherwise.
In the future, we will continue to prioritize the protection of the natural environment and local cultures. This means reducing carbon footprints, minimizing waste and pollution both in the office and in the field, respecting local customs and traditions, and supporting local economies. By prioritizing these values, travel can become a force for positive change, promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation.
Tell us about a trip or place that changed you or your thinking.
A family trip to the Galapagos in 1997 had a profound impact on me. The wonder in my children's eyes as they interacted with the wildlife made me realize the importance of preserving these natural wonders for future generations. It was inspiring to see how wildlife can flourish while coexisting with travelers, but it requires a fiercely protective mindset from both visitors and locals.
The Galapagos Islands are an excellent example of the virtuous circle of conservation and tourism, balancing economic development with the protection of natural areas. The revenue generated from tourism provides the necessary funding for conservation efforts, which, in turn, helps to preserve the unique ecosystem that attracts visitors in the first place.
Learn more about Massimo Prioreschi and Mountain Travel Sobek on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!
Now Accepting Donations to Help Protect Wild Places, ATCF 2023 Auction
Each year the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund hosts an auction of donated trips and travel-related items, raising money to support the organization in protecting wild places. Last year’s auction was its best yet, raising over $30,000. (Thanks to our generous donors for making it possible!) Our goal is to double this for 2023. We are looking for your help in making that happen!
Each year the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund hosts an auction of donated trips and travel-related items, raising money to support the organization in protecting wild places. Last year’s auction was its best yet, raising over $30,000. (Thanks to our generous donors for making it possible!) Our goal is to double this for 2023. We are looking for your help in making that happen!
Donation = Membership: Get a 1-year ATCF base membership for new ATCF members who donate items valued over $5,000.
Mark Your Calendars: This year’s auction is scheduled for the fall, timed to a period when many travelers purchase trips. We’ll be promoting and previewing it at the Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido, Japan, to boost awareness and build excitement. The ATCF will host its annual breakfast event and conduct a silent auction with an assortment of donated items during the ATWS event. Event delegates will be able to bid on the silent auction item, and the winner will be announced at the event.
The main event, the online auction, launches on October 11, World Tourism Day.
We are constantly trying to improve the bidder experience, maximize reach, and minimize costs. Auction items will be visible via the ATCF auction webpage, with links to place bids on our partner sites, CharityBuzz and BetterWorld. The CharityBuzz platform has its own audience and markets the ATCF auction to an exclusive group of philanthropic consumers, 60,000 of which are high-net-worth individuals.
We are currently soliciting donations for the auction through mid-August. It is only through the support of adventure travel industry members that we are able to carry this work forward. If you are interested in participating, please check out our donation page. Past donated items have included trips, flights, experiences, lodging, gear, and photography classes. We are open to creative ideas, so if you have suggestions, let us know. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand in front of a travel-oriented audience. We will be promoting the auction to:
1,000 ATCF email subscribers including international travelers, committed to conservation efforts.
28,000+ travelers and industry professionals through Adventure Travel Prosper and Adventure Travel News.
750+ industry professionals during promotions and a silent auction promo at the 2023 Adventure Travel World Summit.
60,000+ high net-worth philanthropic individuals interested in supporting conservation projects via CharityBuzz, the ATCF online auction-hosting organization.
Partner with charity website receiving over 600,000+ unique views per month.
Promotion of your brand and auction item to ATCF email subscribers, media list, and social media channels, before, during, and following the auction.
A few of last year’s items:
Last year’s donors:
If you’d like to contribute to our auction please visit our 2023 donation page.
From all of us at the ATCF, thank you for your consideration. Your donation will help protect our wild places.
March Newsletter
After a successful and inspiring board retreat in December, in which we came away with priorities for 2023, we’ve had our heads down working on an implementation plan. The word for the year is Amplify. Amplify funding, impact, membership, grantees, and network.
Update from the Executive Director
After a successful and inspiring board retreat in December, in which we came away with priorities for 2023, we’ve had our heads down working on an implementation plan. The word for the year is Amplify. Amplify funding, impact, membership, grantees, and network.
It’s important to note that in 2020 and 2021, during the acute phase of the pandemic when travel came to a virtual stop, the ATCF continued to support critical communities progressing their conservation efforts. The need was great and the organization felt a responsibility to help where it could. In 2021, we also reached the milestone of having distributed $500,000 to 33 projects in 27 countries around the world. In 2022 we worked on rebuilding the organization, which had been hard-hit by the pandemic along with the travel industry, and re-engaging our communities.
For 2023, our two primary focus areas are:
Reconvene our community - bring our membership back together, bring in new partner businesses from the travel and outdoor supply chain, and convene our grantees. Work has begun on several fronts.
Evolve our grant program - bring in stronger elements of communities who are supporting climate mitigation, consider our geographic reach of projects that qualify for funding, and integrate the ability for individuals to earmark additional funds to projects that align with their priorities. A new and energized Grants Committee is hard at work. Look out for the announcement of our 2023 grant program by May.
Nominations open on May 7th for ATCF members to put forth a project for funding consideration. Keep an eye out for more information on the nominations process coming soon!
There is lots more news to come including our annual Travel Conservation Auction, planned for the fall.
Please reach out to me with any questions, comments, or ideas. Contact us
Welcome to Three New Board Members
We are thrilled to welcome three new members to the ATCF Board of Directors. Welcome, Nicole Abbott, vice president of Wilderness Travel, Amit Sankhala, owner of Encounters Asia, and Jonathan Burnham, ATCF’s digital director! These remarkable individuals will add insight and expertise to ATCF’s strategic direction. Learn more about ATCF’s new board members here.
Hydro Flask Joins ATCF at the Trailblazer Level
We are thrilled to announce the addition of Hydro Flask as ATCF’s newest Adventure Trailblazer ($10,000 Level). Hydro Flask joins other like-minded businesses in supporting sustainable tourism and conservation efforts. Hydro Flask is well known for its reusable, high-quality water bottles and is committed to reducing the use of single-use plastics. The company’s products are a perfect fit for adventure travelers who are passionate about sustainability and conservation.
"ATCF’s mission aligns with Hydro Flask’s commitment to responsible consumption. Not just the bottle, but the way people explore and engage with the outdoors," said Jeffery Walter, Hydro Flask's corporate social responsibility (CSR) specialist. "Our products are designed for a world of adventures, and it is essential for organizations like ATCF to equip travelers and explores with the knowledge and tools to be stewards for the planet."
Hydro Flask has also teamed up with the ATCF on an exciting partnership that will support a local project and community. More details coming soon.
Barbara Banks Vision Fund (BBVF) Raises $80,000
We are pleased to announce that in three months, the Barbara Banks Vision Fund raised more than $80,000 to support the work of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund. The fund was set up by Charles Altekruse, with Benjamin and Jeremy Banks-Altekruse, to honor the life of wife and mother Barbara Banks, a pillar of the adventure travel community whose untimely death of cancer in May 2020, came as a shock to all who knew and loved her.
New & Returning Members
Mountain Travel Sobek is known as the pioneer of adventure travel and has been offering immersive travel experiences for over 53 years. Their worldwide network of guides and experts allows them to offer tours on all seven contents!
Conservation Conversation With Explorer X
Michael Bennett, Ed.D, is the co-founder of Explorer X, a Seattle-based travel design company launched in 2017 by him and fellow travel industry veteran Jake Haupert. It crafts unforgettable and impactful travel experiences for its clients. The company’s mission is to support clients in both traveling better and living better. Bennet puts it this way, “We're sort of the love-child of Anthony Bourdain, the irreverent yet savvy traveler, and Joseph Campbell, the wise and sage-like teacher.”
Calendar
Spring 2023
April 4
ATCF Happy Hour in Berkeley, CA
May 7
Grant nominations open for ATCF members. (funding consideration)
May 9-11
AdventureELEVATE held in Portland, Maine
Fall 2024
September 11-14
Adventure Travel World Summit held in Hokkaido, Japan
Thanks so much for reading our March newsletter and if you have any questions about the auction please feel free to contact me.
Cheers,
Welcome New Board Members
We are thrilled to welcome three new members to the ATCF Board of Directors. Welcome, Nicole Abbott from Wilderness Travel, Amit Sankhala from Encounters Asia, and Jonathan Burnham from Amadeus Style, ATCF’s Marketing Director! These remarkable individuals will add insight and expertise to ATCF’s strategic direction.
Learn more about our new board members:
Nicole Abbott - Wilderness travel
As the vice president of Wilderness Travel, Nicole Abbott has been deeply immersed in the world of adventure travel her entire life. Her father, Bill Abbott, founded Wilderness Travel in 1978 as one of the original adventure travel companies, so Nicole grew up traveling extensively with her family as they scouted exotic new adventures around the globe—exploring pristine ecosystems, building connections with local communities, and meeting with guides and local partners. Nicole worked for eight years in the management consulting industry and received an MBA from Columbia Business School before rejoining Wilderness Travel in 2016. Today, Wilderness Travel remains 100 percent family-owned, with Nicole and her brother Scott managing the business as the second-generation leadership of the company, overseeing everything from itinerary development and trip operations to finance, marketing, and technology.
“We have been members of the ATCF since its founding and have always felt a very strong alignment between the mission and goals of the ATCF and that of Wilderness Travel. We deeply believe in the power of adventure travel to actively support the preservation and protection of the world’s remaining wilderness areas and wildlife, in addition to supporting the livelihoods for millions of people living in the remote corners of the globe. On a personal level, with a young daughter of my own now, I feel more impassioned than ever about the need to conserve and protect our amazing planet and its most special places for future generations. Joining the ATCF Board provides an incredibly exciting opportunity to take an active role in this effort.”
Amit Sankhala - Encounters asia
Born as a grandson of a forest officer and the son of a renowned wildlife tour operator, Amit Sankhala, owner of Encounters Asia, has rambled in the remote Indian forests since he was a month old. Wildlife conservation has remained an integral part of the Sankhala heritage. In addition to owning safari camps in India, Amit has traveled and studied other wildlife conservancies, parks, concessions, and sanctuaries around the world, from places like Okavango Delta in Botswana to the Rain Forests of the Pantanal for Jaguars; Polar Bears In the Arctic to Pumas of Chile; Mountain Gorillas of Uganda to underwater life of the Galapagos. His expeditions to see Snow Leopards gained popularity amongst the wildlife community and have helped set the standard for others to run these expeditions. Currently, he sits on boards of organizations such as Wild Landscapes (USA) & Tiger Trust (India).
“I have always appreciated the work ATCF has done in the Adventure Travel Community. It allows me to be a part of something bigger than just pursuing conservation projects in India, and especially to work with like minded people who are working towards a common goal. Our world is fragile and the travel community is really not helping by promoting mass tourism, where growth comes in a very unsustainable manner. The new era of travel needs to be more sustainable, conscious about their impact and a move towards slow travel. Everyone has a part to play in this mission, especially the communities that live in fragile landscapes. I feel that ATCF has given grants to some amazing organizations and I wish to be a part of that mission. Throughout my travels in the last 20 years, I have been able to form relationships with Lodge owners, non profits, ground operators from around the world. Almost everyone has a conservation side to their business and I hope that my knowledge in that sphere, will contribute to bringing together, a bigger like minded community for ATCF. I say this, not only for the US, but around the world.”
Jonathan Burnham - Amadeus Style
Jonathan Burnham has been a volunteer of the ATCF since shortly after its inception, and has brought to the ATCF his energy and experience leading the marketing for several of the top tour operators in the world, including Wildland Adventures. He’s worked in about every sector of travel, from guiding, trip development, to lodges to tourism boards to developing conservation programs. He currently is a partner in Amadeus Style, a full-service production studio focused on video production and event management. When he’s not trying to save the world, you can catch him swimming in a lake, training for Ironmans, or snowboarding in the backcountry.
A doer, Jonathan has overseen the ATCF’s digital and social communications efforts. As a member of the board, he will help the organization strategize to expand and capitalize on its digital marketing and social outreach efforts.
“At all of my jobs and non-profits, I’ve pushed for not only being more sustainable but to support conservation work. I would like to make a larger impact in the ATCF and continue to help the organization grow.”
The ATCF is excited to welcome Nicole, Amit, and Jonathan to the team. Check out the rest of ATCF’s Board of Directors here!
Hydro Flask Prioritizes Travel Conservation
ATCF welcomes Hydro Flask as its newest member. Hydro Flask joins at the Adventure Trailblazer level, committing $10,000 annually. The company, based in Bend, Oregon, will join other like-minded businesses in supporting sustainable tourism and conservation efforts.
Hydro Flask is well known for its reusable, high-quality water bottles and is committed to reducing the use of single-use plastics. Their products are a perfect fit for adventure travelers who are passionate about sustainability and conservation. The company’s giving program, Parks For All, supports nonprofit organizations focused on building, maintaining, restoring and investing in public green spaces so people everywhere can live healthier, happier and more fulfilled lives.
"We are excited to welcome Hydro Flask to the ATCF community," said Soraya Shattuck, Executive Director of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF), "Their commitment to investing in public green spaces is inspiring, and we look forward to working with them to further our shared goals."
Hydro Flask's support will help the ATCF continue to fund conservation projects and provide grants to local communities around the world. The organization's focus on sustainable tourism practices helps to ensure that adventure travel can have a positive impact on the environment and the people who live in the areas where it takes place.
"ATCF’s mission aligns with Hydro Flask’s commitment to responsible consumption. Not just the bottle, but the way people explore and engage with the outdoors," said Jeffery Walter, Hydro Flask's CSR Sepcialist. "Our products are designed for a world of adventures, and it is essential for organizations like ATCF to equip travelers and explores with the knowledge and tools to be stewards for the planet."
For more information, please visit the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund website at www.adventuretravelconservationfund.org and Hydro Flask's website at www.hydroflask.com.
Update From the Executive Director
After a successful and inspiring board retreat in December, in which we came away with priorities for 2023, we’ve had our heads down working on an implementation plan. The word for the year is Amplify. Amplify funding, impact, membership, grantees, and network.
It’s important to note that in 2020 and 2021, during the acute phase of the pandemic when travel came to a virtual stop, the ATCF continued to support critical communities progressing their conservation efforts. The need was great and the organization felt a responsibility to help where it could. In 2021, we also reached the milestone of having distributed $500,000 to 33 projects in 27 countries around the world. In 2022 we worked on rebuilding the organization, which had been hard-hit by the pandemic along with the travel industry, and re-engaging our communities.
For 2023, our two primary focus areas are:
Reconvene our community - bring our membership back together, bring in new partner businesses from the travel and outdoor supply chain, and convene our grantees. Work has begun on several fronts.
Evolve our grant program - bring in stronger elements of communities who are supporting climate mitigation, consider our geographic reach of projects that qualify for funding, and integrate the ability for individuals to earmark additional funds to projects that align with their priorities. A new and energized Grants Committee is hard at work. Look out for the announcement of our 2023 grant program by May.
There is lots more news to come including our annual Travel Conservation Auction, planned for the fall!
Please reach out to me with any questions, comments, or ideas.
Soraya Shattuck
ATCF Executive Director
Conservation Conversation with Explorer X
Michael Bennett, Ed.D, co-founder of Seattle-based travel design company, Explorer X, shares his company’s mission to support clients in traveling and living better.
Michael Bennett in Peru
Michael Bennett, Ed.D, is the co-founder of Explorer X, a Seattle-based travel design company launched in 2017 by him and fellow travel industry veteran Jake Haupert. It crafts unforgettable and impactful travel experiences for its clients. The company’s mission is to support clients in both traveling better and living better. Bennet puts it this way, “We're sort of the love-child of Anthony Bourdain, the irreverent yet savvy traveler, and Joseph Campbell, the wise and sage-like teacher.”
How does Explorer X's mission connect with the issues of climate change, overtourism, and other problems facing places? How do you see it from your perspective?
Issues like climate change, over-tourism, and environmental, cultural, and economic conservation and regeneration are at the heart of everything we do. We're mindful of where we send each and every traveler and lovingly encourage them to consider destinations that are a little more off-the-beaten-path so as to avoid over-tourism. As much as possible, we avoid domestic air travel and prefer trains and other forms of public transportation when available. We almost always book small, locally-owned accommodations and only work with local guides so as to keep as much money in-destination as possible. (Our goal is to keep 75 percent of all trip costs in the destination.) We're not only proud members of ATCF but also of 1% for the Planet.
Michael Bennett in Iceland
We encourage and support our travelers in embarking on their journeys with more intention and purpose while staying open-minded, present, and aware of all that they are seeing and experiencing while on the road. In doing so, they can connect and engage more deeply with the people, the culture, and the history of a destination. As a result, your travelers are more likely to take mindful action to not only preserve what is currently there but, when and where appropriate, help regenerate those things that may have been lost.
In essence, we embrace the thoughts of Baba Dioum: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will only understand only what we (experience).”
Explorer X has been a big supporter of ACTF. Why?
Michael Bennett in Egypt
Simple: We believe in the mission of ATCF and, just as importantly, we believe in people creating change through the ATCF. There is immense power in coming together as a community to support worthy projects around the world that are doing critical work to combat climate change and protect and preserve the environmental, cultural, and economic resources we have been entrusted with, and we can't think of anyone better than the folks at ATCF to lead this charge on our behalf. At the end of 2022, we took a portion of our proceeds and made a financial contribution to ATCF.
You are passionate in your belief that travel can transform lives and the world. Please share more.
I call the 3 Us of Travel: First, there is the ultimate game we are all playing, which is to become the best possible version of ourselves. Of course, this would suggest that we need to make incremental improvements in who we are being on a daily basis to close the gap between who we are currently being and who we are capable of being. But here's the thing: The only reliable source of action in our lives is how we are ourselves and how we see the world. So if we want to take consistent action to improve who we are being and how we are showing up in the world, we need to keep growing and changing how we see ourselves and the world ... and the best (and most exciting) way to do that is through travel!
Next, there is a universal path that we all go on when we travel – some people call this the Hero's Journey. We feel some call to go on an adventure; we embark on said adventure; we face trials and challenges, meet new friends and mentors, and are pushed beyond our normal comfort zones; we learn critical lessons about ourselves and the world ... and then bring that wisdom home with us, where we begin making small but impactful changes in our life.
Michael Bennett on Faroe Islands
While the path is universal, we each have a unique practice, or way of engaging with our travels, that allows us to get the most from these experiences. Some people prefer to read as much as possible about their destination before going while others like to stay completely open and go in with a blank slate; some people are morning people while others like to stay up late; some people take a Mindful Moment through meditation or prayer while others use creativity and art to connect to the unseen spirit and forces that surround us all. There is no right way or wrong way; we each have our unique way of exploring, and as long as we are true to that, every travel experience can teach us something.
You can learn more about Explorer X on Instagram and Facebook.
Barbara Banks Vision Fund (BBVF) Raises $80,000
We are pleased to announce that in three months, the Barbara Banks Vision Fund raised more than $80,000 to support the work of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund. The fund was set up by Charles Altekruse, with Benjamin and Jeremy Banks-Altekruse, to honor the life of wife and mother Barbara Banks, a pillar of the adventure travel community whose untimely death of cancer in May 2020, came as a shock to all who knew and loved her.
More than 200 generous donors gave in amounts ranging from $25 to $10,000 through the GoFundMe platform or in direct donations to ATCF. The Banks-Altekruse personal network included friends and family, university affiliations, the Olympic circle (Charlie was a champion rower), and of course, Barbara’s adventure travel community. Among the many donors, Wilderness Travel—for whom Barbara worked for many years—gave $10,000.
“In her final years, Banks became a shooting star in this emerging “travel with purpose” niche,” says her husband, Charles Altekruse. “She championed local conservation projects wherever possible within the adventure travel industry.” Representing Wilderness Travel, Barbara became one of the first to sign on to membership with the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund when it was announced in 2016.
“Our family is grateful and humbled that so many friends, family, colleagues, and networks were moved to contribute to the Barbara Banks Vision Fund to benefit the nonprofit ATCF,” said Altekruse. “Few organizations are as well positioned to effect change through travel.” With an extensive network of local operators, ATCF advances its mission “to support, leverage and expand the travel community's environmental and cultural conservation efforts for maximum impact” by funding visionary grassroots conservation projects in adventure travel destinations.
While this phase of fundraising comes to a close, the BBVF will continue to support the ATCF and Barbara’s conservation vision. Please contact Charlie Altekruse at caltekruse@caconsult.org to collaborate.
Adventure Travel World Summit Wrap Up
The Adventure Travel World Summit in Lugano, Switzerland, was a blast as we recapped 2022 and discussed our planes for 2023 and beyond!
It was a years-long wait to be back in-person, but the 2022 Adventure Travel World Summit in Lugano, Switzerland, was fantastic! ATCF executive director Soraya Shattuck, along with several board members Richard Edwards, Chunnie Wright, Gordon Seabury, Shannon Stowell, and Steve Barker were in attendance. We connected with new, returning, and prospective members while we discussed our conservation plans and priorities for 2023!
During our annual member breakfast meeting, we had a great panel of speakers, including ATCF board members (Gordon Seabury, Richard Edwards, Chunnie Wright), Praveen Moman, founder, and CEO of Volcanoes Safaris, and Georg Schwede from Campaign for Nature, who talked about 30x30 and tourism's role in the most significant global collective conservation push in the planet's history. 30x30 is a global initiative that aims to protect at least 30% of the planet by 2030. This includes working with local communities and governments to designate and expand protected areas for biodiversity conservation and the expansion of the nature-based tourism sector. The 30x30 movement has made significant progress in protecting the natural and cultural resources of our world. The ATCF is committed to representing the travel industry and prioritizing our efforts to work with local communities to support this global initiative and expand the reach of protected areas for increased conservation.
We also unveiled the Barbara Banks Vision Fund, a fund started by Charles Altekruse with his sons Ben and Jeremy, in honor of his late wife, Barbara Banks. A pillar of the adventure travel community, Barbara was an early supporter of the ATCF. In a touching moment, Charlie addressed the assembled group, many of whom knew and loved Barbara,
“Barbara’s life was dedicated to celebrating and sharing this beautiful, fantastic planet with others, finding locations of natural beauty and then illuminating the people, food, art, and traditions that tell the deep story of the place. And Barbara was a master storyteller of the world.”
The fund’s proceeds will go to the ATCF for its programs and initiatives. The fund has already received some donations, including a generous $10,000 contribution from ATCF member Wilderness Travel, where Barbara spent much of her career as the director of trip development. For more, or to contribute, click here.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, it was a wonderful turnout of support for our annual ATCF meeting. A huge thank you to Freely for sponsoring our annual membership breakfast meeting and to MiiR, Grayl, and Toad&Co for donating event favors!
We look forward to seeing some of you next year in Maine, and in Hokkaido at the next World Summit!
ATCF Named Nonprofit of the Month by Wanderful
Wanderful recently named ATCF its nonprofit partner for the month of September, as part of the initiative, board member Norie Quintos wrote an article for Wanderful, further spreading the word about ATCF’s conservation work.
The women’s creator community Wanderful recently named ATCF its nonprofit partner for the month of September, donating a portion of its member dues and putting out posts about ATCF to its large social network.
As part of the initiative, board member Norie Quintos wrote an article for Wanderful, further spreading the word about ATCF’s conservation work. Read the article and learn how you can give back to travel here.
What is Wanderful?
Wanderful is a global network of like-minded female travelers, making traveling easier and more accessible for women. It’s massive network encourages members to find travel buddies, meet locals and connect with other adventurous women. The community gives members 24/7 access to travel tips and support from thousands of women around the world. Anyone that is interested in joining Wanderful can get involved through membership, chapters as well as events, and trips.
How does Wanderful give back?
Qunito’s article highlights the importance of supporting the travel destinations that support you. Whether this is staying in destinations longer, making ethical travel decisions, or donating to charity, everyone has the opportunity to give back.
Wanderful’s commitment to an equal and inclusive travel industry inspires thousands of women to see the world. From promoting women-owned businesses to educating their members on ethical decision-making abroad, Wanderful is paving the way for responsible female travelers. Their donation to the ATCF is another small, but impactful way, they support the communities that support them.
Conscious travelers, like the woman at Wanderful, make it possible for the ATCF to support community-driven conservation projects. The ATCF collects funds from membership, direct donations, and generous funding from its community partners. Small or large, donations go a long way in funding the protection of delicate destinations fighting to protect their cultural and natural resources.
If travel has been good to you, think about how you can return the favor.
Learn more about Wanderul on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube.
Announcing the Barbara Banks Vision Fund
The Barbara Banks Vision Fund was announced at the ATCF members’ breakfast at the ATWS Summit in Lugano, Switzerland.
On October 5, 2022, the Barbara Banks Vision Fund was announced at the ATCF members’ breakfast at the ATWS Summit in Lugano, Switzerland. The fund has been set up by Charles Altekruse, with Benjamin and Jeremy Banks-Altekruse, to honor the life of wife and mother Barbara Banks, a pillar of the adventure travel community whose untimely death of cancer in May 2020, came as a shock to all who knew and loved her. Proceeds will benefit the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund.
Banks was the longtime director of marketing and new trip development for tour operator Wilderness Travel in Berkeley, California. She was a regular fixture at ATTA’s annual Adventure Travel World Summit Trade Association. Her many colleagues became great friends.
Banks believed that travel and world travelers could be catalysts for positive, sustained change, locally and globally. “In her final years, Banks became a shooting star in this emerging “travel with purpose” niche,” says her husband, Charles Altekruse. “She championed local conservation projects wherever possible within the adventure travel industry.” Representing Wilderness Travel, Barbara became one of the first to sign on to membership with the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund when it was announced in 2016.
“Our family is so honored to announce the Barbara Banks Vision Fund in conjunction with the nonprofit ATCF,” said Altekruse. “Few organizations are as well positioned to effect change through travel.” With an extensive network of local operators, ATCF advances its mission “to support, leverage and expand the travel community's environmental and cultural conservation efforts for maximum impact” by funding visionary grassroots conservation projects in adventure travel destinations. ATCF has disbursed over $500,000 to 33 community conservation projects in 27 different adventure destinations worldwide.
“We are humbled and honored to have the support of Charlie, Jeremy, and Ben and the Barbara Banks Vision Fund,” said Soraya Shattuck, ATCF’s executive director. “Along with its member companies, ATCF has been dramatically impacted by the pandemic. We are now actively reconvening and reconfiguring to invigorate communities, empower individuals, and protect environments worldwide. And the support from the Barbara Banks Vision Fund will ensure the work continues.”
According to Altekruse, the ambitious goal for the next six months is to raise at least $250,000, the majority for direct support of grassroots conservation projects around the globe, with a portion dedicated to internal ATCF capacity building. Altekruse hopes to tap not only Barbara’s network of friends and colleagues in the adventure travel industry but also the couple’s personal and professional networks.
If you feel inspired by Barbara, please consider donating to the Barbara Banks Vision Fund or visit ATCF’s site here.
What We’re Reading, Listening To, Watching, and Talking About
See what the ATCF Board Members have been thinking about. Norie, Bob and Soraya share what they’ve been reading and thinking about.
5 Ways Global Tourism Must Rethink Its Influence as an Industry
By Lebawit Lily Girma
Norie Quintos, ATCF board member
ATCF board member Norie Quintos says: “This Skift piece surfaces the thinking of Kenyan ecologist Mordecai Ogada which challenges conventional wisdom about the role of tourism in conservation. He says, for example, that tourism must avoid “sustainability” unless locally defined. “Someone might think a guy herding his goat is destroying the environment,” said Ogada, “but the same person saying that thinks a tourist flying from New York with a huge carbon footprint to come and sit here and see elephants and drink champagne that’s refrigerated, is sustainable.”
The Last Tourist
from Born Explorer Films
Steve Barker, President of the ATCF board
“This is a must-watch for anyone in the business of tourism, and frankly everyone who travels,” says Steve Barker, president of the ATCF board. “The film shows the very real consequences of the way we travel and see the world today. I see it as a clarion call for change.” The film visits 16 locations and interviews people such as Elizabeth Becker, author of Overbooked; Judy Kepher-Gona, Kenya-based sustainable tourism expert; and Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures.
Soraya Shattuck, ATCF Executive Director
According to the Washington Post, Seattle Audubon, one of the largest chapters in the National Audubon Society network, has decided to change its name to distance itself from John James Audubon, the famed naturalist who was also an enslaver and a strong critic of those who sought to free African Americans from bondage. “The broader American conservation movement is just now starting to grapple with its racist historical roots,” says ATCF executive director Soraya Shattuck. “This is a fascinating article.”
Conservation Conversation With Experience Plus! Bicycle Tours
We sat down with the founders of Experience Plus to learn about their approach to sustainable travel.
Monica and Maria Elena Price are second-generation owners of two cycling travel companies, one based in the US and the other in Italy. The sisters (often mistaken for twins) own and operate BikesPlus (which supports tour operators and independent travelers on cycling tours and bike rentals in Europe) and Experience Plus! Bicycle Tours (the Colorado-based parent company that operates tours in over 10 different countries). This year the company celebrates 50 years since its first trip in 1972 when “our parents took 20 intrepid travelers from Pisa to Forli, across the Italian Apennines on bikes.” Experience Plus! has been an ATCF member since 2016.
How does Experience Plus! tackle the issue of climate change?
While it can sometimes feel like a small company can’t do much, when we are out there helping people see the world from the bike saddle, it’s an opportunity to give them a different perspective from their usual perch.
Climate change has become a part of our conversation at many stages of our trip management, sales, and development process. Interestingly, it is also now part of our communications with customers, especially when we talk about what to expect on tour. We now may have heat waves earlier in the season (think northern Europe in June or July). Many of the smaller, even four-star, hotels we like to use don’t have air conditioning, which in the past wasn’t an issue, but now it is getting warmer. So setting those expectations is key.
The drought this year (2022) caused at least one of our “Bike and Boat” tours to divert from some of our normal canal routes, which required itinerary adjustments and communications just weeks before departures. As storms become more unpredictable and heat waves more intense, we have to train our tour leaders to make decisions on the ground for the comfort and safety of our travelers. It’s all very real to us, and to our travelers. The benefit is that it is an opportunity for conversation and ideas.
And what about overtourism?
Our travelers vividly see the contrast between riding on quiet roads in the countryside and then entering larger more popular towns. Our most iconic and best-selling trip is “Bike Across Italy,” which cycles from Venice to Pisa. This tour also passes through Florence. All three of these iconic Italian cities are currently trying to manage overtourism in different ways and our guests are directly affected.
We stopped spending the night in Pisa almost 20 years ago when we realized that the hotel we used to use (right across from the Leaning Tower) wasn’t a comfortable place to stay because of noise, traffic restrictions, and crowds. We have conversations with our travelers about these issues and the possible solutions and we’re pleased that many come away realizing “off-the-beaten-track” towns such as Ravenna and Ferrara are equally rich in culture and history. So it’s not just about setting expectations but educating our guests, who will hopefully share what they have learned and take actions that make a positive difference.
Many of our travelers become wonderful ambassadors for exploring the world by bike and cycling in general, so they are already making a difference.
Experience Plus! has been a supporter of the ATCF since the beginning. Why?
Few of our trips are in locations that ATCF typically ends up supporting the most, yet we truly believe in the industry coming together to sustain local people and fragile places wherever the funding is most needed. We are all part of the same community.
It is important that all the stakeholders in the industry understand each has a part to play in protecting the planet. Sometimes we get so siloed in our own niches we forget the benefits of different groups coming together. Incredible ideas and solutions can come out of that. We think this is fundamentally important in how we address problems in the future. It’s the essence of community and we’re honored to be part of this one.
Why travel by bike?
There’s something about exploring the world on two wheels. You can cover a lot of ground and feel it under your wheels so it’s a great way to immerse in the place. And there’s a general sense that people on bikes are approachable, so making connections between people is easy. We even design our trips and train our guides to facilitate planned and serendipitous connections. I [Maria Elena] recently was able to introduce some of my own friends to the world of bike travel. These were people who wouldn’t have chosen a bike trip otherwise—and the best part of the trip was hearing their exclamations of wonder and fun. They loved the freedom to explore and stop whenever they wanted and really valued the insider knowledge of our local guides. It was eye-opening for them and a good reminder for me about why we do what we do!
Welcome New Members
We’re proud to announce Freefly, WeTravel, JourneyWomen, Adventures in Good Company, and Explorer X as new ATCF members.
The ATCF is excited to welcome Freely, WeTravel, JourneyWoman, Adventures in Good Company, and Explorer X to our global network of conscious travelers!
Freely is a Travel insurance and safety app. You can customize the cover you need for the days you need it, end to end on the app.
Why is the conservation of tourism destinations important to your organization?
One of our main values at Freely is; 'Giving back to people, places, and the planet'. This is something that lives and breathes very strongly within our organization, and we are working hard to back this up in all ways possible. We want people to enhance their lives with travel and exploring the world, but to do it in the most sustainable way. As a travel (insurance) organization to be able to support the conservation of tourism is an absolute no-brainer.
WeTravel
WeTravel, the booking and payments platform powering multi-day travel, has built its platform with a mission to empower any travel business through its technological solutions. With thousands of group and travel businesses—who interact with 500,000 travelers, annually—using its platform, the business believes it has an unparalleled ability to positively impact how travel businesses operate, including being a champion, through its platform, in helping travel businesses protect and preserve people and the planet.
WeTravel is a proud, new member of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund and thrilled to support the organization’s impactful work to create actionable change in the travel industry, for a sustainable tomorrow.
Find WeTravel on YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
JourneyWoman
JourneyWoman is the original travel publication for solo women, established in 1994. They also provide a Women’s Travel Directory, which lists women-friendly tours, retreats, guides, and accommodations.
Why is the conservation of tourism destinations important to your organization?
Women - and women over 50 - are the primary decision-makers in travel and can help influence good behaviors in others. Our editorial focuses on how women can travel sustainably, and we want to encourage women’s tour operators to embrace sustainability in their business practices.
Find JourneyWoman on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Adventures in Good Company creates experiences of a lifetime for women seeking new adventures. Their small group getaways encourage women of all ages and life stages to (re)connect with their adventurous selves, other women and cultures, and the natural world. AGC vacations are for women who love being active, regardless of whether you're a first-time traveler or a lifelong adventuress. They handle the logistics so you can relax, have fun, and fully experience some of the world's most breathtaking places.
Why is the conservation of tourism destinations important to your organization?
AGC recognizes that any form of adventure travel is inextricably linked to impacting the places and people that are visited, but we stand to believe that travel can be a force for good, both in introducing our participants to new cultures and new beliefs and in providing economic benefit to the places we visit. That's why we strive to be a leader in sustainable travel. Our goal is to have a positive impact on the environment and cultures of the places we visit and to minimize the adverse impacts of travel.
Our commitment to sustainable travel follows three guiding principles: environmentally friendly practices like minimizing the use of plastic; protecting natural and cultural heritage; supporting local communities.
Adventures in Good Company has the opportunity to make a greater impact on conservation efforts through ATCF at 100% of our membership dues go directly toward funding conservation initiatives.
Find Adventures in Good Company on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Explorer X is a Seattle-based travel design company dedicated to helping people Travel Better and Live Better.
Why is the conservation of tourism destinations important to your organization?
Working to conserve the culture, history, and environment/natural resources of tourism destinations not only protects/empowers the local community but also increases the likelihood that future generations of travelers will be able to visit, share with, and learn from these destinations and the people there as well.
Find Explorer X on Instagram and Facebook.
September News
See what the ATCF has been up to during the COVID pandemic and our conservation priorities for 2023 and beyond.
In This Issue:
See you in Lugano
Introducing New and Returning Members
JourneyWoman and Wanderful Raise Funds for ATCF
Conservation Conversation with Experience Plus! Bicycle Tours
Convening Communities Coming Soon
What We’re Reading, Listening To, Watching, and Talking About
See You In Lugano
See what the ATCF has been up to during the COVID pandemic and our conservation priorities for 2023 and beyond. We will also have a special breakfast speaker, Georg Schwede from Campaign for Nature, who will talk about 30x30 and tourism's role in the most significant global collective conservation push in the planet's history. Not to be missed!
Welcome New Members
Adventure Leaders
WeTravel
Adventure Trailblazer
Freely
JourneyWoman
Email soraya@atconservationfund.org to renew your membership or become a member.
Conservation Conversation With Experience Plus! Bicycle Tours
Has Travel Been Good for You?
Here’s How to Return the Favor by Norie Quintos, ATCF Board Member.
Convening Communities - Coming Soon
As we prepare for a new grant funding cycle in 2023, we also are introducing a major new initiative to connect not only our grantees to each other but to our members and partners in the travel and travel gear industries. The goal is to provide a platform and opportunities for the various communities that make up the ATCF family to connect, share, and find solutions.
What We’re Reading, Listening To, Watching, and Talking About
See what the ATCF Board Members have been thinking about.
August News
See what’s happening this month!
Record-Breaking Auction!
The 2022 Travel Conservation Auction was a huge success! Thank you to all our donors and bidders - we couldn’t have done this without you! And an extra big thank you to Hannah Lambert and Jonathan Burnham for the support in getting this auction to be our most successful yet!
ATCF Makes Headlines
Hear what Adventure Travel News has to say about ATCF’s most recent milestone.
Conservation Conversation With Journalist Stephanie Pearson
Hear what Stephanie Pearson, contributing editor to Outside Magazine, author of the recent National Geographic book 100 Great American Parks, and ATCF member has to say about travel today.
Travel Conservation Auction Winners
Check out the full list of the 2022 Travel Conservation Auction winners.
Support ATCF When You Shop on Amazon
Give .05% of your Amazon purchase back to the ATCF with AmazonSmile.
Calendar
Fall 2022
October 3-6
Adventure Travel World Summit in Lugano, Switzerland
ATCF will host its annual members’ breakfast on Wednesday, October 5, from 7 to 9 a.m.
Thanks so much for reading our August newsletter and if you have any questions about the auction please feel free to contact me.
Cheers,
2022 Travel Conservation Auction Winners
Here is the full list of the 2022 Travel Conservation Auction winners. Thank you to everyone that placed a bid and helped us reach our goal of raising $30,000!
We are happy to announce that the 2022 Travel Conservation Auction was a success. Thanks to our donors, members, and bidders we surpassed our fundraising goal and raised $30,240! The funds raised will help support ATCF’s operations as we continue to protect our world’s adventure travel destinations. Here are this year’s highest bidders and auction item winners!
Adventure Travel Experiences
2 Nights at Camp Sossus, Namibia
Donated by Ultimate Safaris
Awarded to Eva M.
5-Day Lower Salmon River Rafting Trip
Donated by Oars
Awarded to Jennifer M.
Pacific North West Getaway in the Oregon Cascades
Donated by Westfir Lodge
Awarded to Laura P.
3-Night Safari in Maasia Mara Game Reserve, Kenya
Donated by Angama Mara
Awarded to Steve B.
Entry Pass to AdventureELEVATE
Donated by the Adventure Travel Trade Association
Awarded to Dan M.
3-Day Glamping in Baja California Sur
Donated by Todos Santos Eco Resort
Awarded to Griselda P.
4-Day Costa Rica Jungle & Beach Retreat
Donated by GreenSpot Travel and Cayuga Collection
Awarded to Jennifer M.
3-Day Backcountry Alpine Touring Adventure
Donated by Callaghan Country Wilderness Adventures and EVO
Awarded to Hannah M.
5-Day Adventure in Sacred Valley
Donated by Mountain Lodges Peru
Awarded to Steven G.
7-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Donated by Mountain Lodges Peru
Awarded to Gabriela B.
3-Night Stay at Mount Gahinga Lodge, Uganda
Donated by Volcanoes Safaris
Awarded to Stephen B.
4-Day Adventure + Flights, Panama
Donated by Ecocircuitos Panama and Copa Airlines
Awarded to Raymond W.
8-Day Mentoring Retreat in Portugal
Donated by Walking Mentorship
Awarded to Brian O.
4-Day Red Mountain Essential Retreat
Donated by Red Mountain Resort
Awarded to Rebecca T.
5-Day San Juan Island Hopper Adventure
Donated by REI
Awarded to Keith S.
Adventure Travel Gear
Water Purifier & Filter Bottle + Adventure Kit
Donated by Grayl
Awarded to Patti S.
Eagle Creek’s Best Travel Gear Package
Donated by Eagle Creek
Awarded to Hugh H.
MiiR Wine Bundle
Donated by MiiR
Awarded to Katie P.
Tenkara Rod & Starter Kit
Donated by Tenkara USA
Awarded to Lynn I.
prAna Yoga Mat
Donated by prAna
Awarded to Nadira D.
2 Helinox Sunset Chairs
Donated by Helinox
Awarded to Linda O.
Osprey Suitcase & Pack Bundle
Donated by Osprey
Awarded to Hugh H.
Osprey Pack Bundle
Donated by Osprey
Awarded to Angela C.
4 Hydro Flask 16oz True Pints
Donated by Hydro Flask
Awarded to Greg M.
$150 Toad & Co Gift Card
Donated by Toad & Co
Awarded to Norie Q.
$250 Toad & Co Gift Card
Donated by Toad & Co
Awarded to Cheryl T.
Cotopaxi Backpack Bundle
Donated by Cotopaxi
Awarded to Everett A.
Klean Kanteen Good To Go Kit
Donated by Klean Kanteen
Awarded to Dan M.
Adventure Travel Photography Workshop
Donated by Merrill Images
Awarded to David K.
Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to all of our bidders. Our auction’s success comes from your generosity and passion for adventure travel!
If you were outbid and still want to support the ATCF, consider donating or becoming a member. Contact us or follow us on social media to learn more about our initiatives. Facebook & Instagram
ATCF Makes Headlines
See what Adventure Travel News has to say about the ATCF and its most recent milestone.
Adventure Travel News, the biweekly publication of the ATTA, recently ran a feature on the ATCF, with the headline “Adventure Travel Conservation Fund Quietly Achieved a Milestone in the Height of the Pandemic.” The article noted that despite the difficulties of the pandemic, the ATCF crossed the half-million-dollar mark in grants awarded—enabled by members—to 33 nature and cultural preservation projects around the world. “The ATCF completed two full grant cycles in response to the needs over the past two years. It was through this commitment … amid the pandemic challenges that $500,000 dollars were raised and granted in less than five years.”
The piece also quoted executive director Soraya Shattuck: “ATCF is a visible example of the adventure travel industry coming together to support the wild and wonderful, but imperiled, destinations our businesses rely on.” It noted that in the past two years, ATCF funded many meaningful projects such as the protection of threatened species and Indigenous communities in Guyana, the last remaining elephants in Cambodia, humpback whales in Mexico, and wildfire recovery in Australia.
“Many members stayed committed to the ATCF through financial hardship because they know our mission is more important than ever.”
Quoting Casey Hanisko (ATTA president), Shannon Stowell (ATTA’s CEO), Steve Barker (ATCF chair and co-founder of Eagle Creek), Norie Quintos (ATCF board member and contributing editor at Nat Geo), Paul Sarfati (ATCF member and founder of Baboo Travel, and JB Haab (board member of ATCF grant recipient Friends of Cochamo), the in-depth article delved into how the organization came to be, how it works, the types of projects it funds, its plans for the future, and how you can help.
Read the full article here.
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Project Updates
From Instagram
