A Lookback at a Record Year
As we approach the end of the year, we want to express our gratitude to so many of you from across the globe who have made it a wonderful and successful year for the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund and our community.
First things first, our members! They have been there for us in so many ways from nominating and voting on projects to donating auction items to their membership that allows us to support meaningful conservation work around the world, we are so grateful for their support. If you're 2020 goals include supporting incredible conservation work in important adventure travel destinations think about becoming a member. Just take a look at some of our highlights in 2019 to see the power our travel community has when we come together.
2019 HIGHLIGHTS
We distributed our largest annual dispersal of grant funding - $100,000 - to five new projects taking place all over the world.
We witnessed the highest turn out for project voting - over 90% of our members voted for the project grant winners! How awesome is that!
We added a new Adventure Leader, MiiR! And are thrilled about the other new members that joined our community this year - Adventure Transformations, Aniyami, Travel Babbo, India Insight Tours, Sendas Altas, Socompa, Enchanted Expeditions, Iconic Adventures, Hiking New Zealand, Trekking Hellas Group of Companies and Toad & Co. International, Inc.
We organized a successful cocktail event at the Summer Outdoor Retailer Summer show and had a record turnout at our annual breakfast event at the ATWS in Sweden in September, where we featured world-class climber, alpinist, and adventurer, Leo Houlding.
We put on our most successful auction to date raising $15k and we appreciate all of you that donated or participated in some way.
Our members voted in two new board members: Chris Noble and Gordon Seabury for terms beginning January 2020.
We also hired a new Membership & Outreach Coordinator, Marisa Gant. Who has been such an asset to our team and members.
Lastly, we could not have accomplished all that we did this year without the support of our amazing board of directors, as well as the incredible volunteers that put in countless hours. Special thanks to Amy Brown, Jonathan Burnham, and Colvin Hedgepeth!
Once again, thank you to all of you that made it a wonderful year. We look forward to building upon our successes in 2020 and we are so very appreciative of your support of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund.
Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a great start to the new year!
Sincerely,
Soraya, Marisa, Steve, Cynthia, Richard, Neil, Nicky, Chunnie, Norie, Mandip, Praveen, Josie, Roger, Shannon, Chris and Gordon