Adventure Trailblazer Spotlight: 3 Questions for Toad&Co.’s Gordon Seabury

For Gordon Seabury, CEO of Toad&Co., it’s always been about more than making clothes. “We’re committed to helping push the apparel industry to a cleaner future, supporting programs to save the planet we all love, and providing opportunities for people with disabilities,” he tells us, from its headquarters in Santa Barbara, California. It’s one of the reasons the company has longstanding partnerships with 1% for the Planet, Conservation Alliance, and of course, the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF). In fact, the company has made a significant and ongoing financial commitment to the ATCF as an Adventure Leader. And Seabury is on the board of directors and the organization’s treasurer. “We believe that if we all work together to make conscious choices, it means a brighter, more joyful future for all of us.”

1. Toad&Co. has been a big supporter of the ATCF since the beginning. Why?

I believe in connecting eco-tourism (experience) and responsible outdoor brands (product) to maximize responsible traveler’s adventures and minimize their overall impact. The ATCF sits at the intersection of these two communities and includes a third, the people in the destinations travelers visit. These two thoughtful industries working together can change how we travel and positively impact the communities we touch. Our actions with regard to our remaining beautiful landscapes matter a great deal. We can lose the planet to short-sighted exploitation and extraction. Or, we can act to protect destinations and their communities to be cherished, long-lasting and empowered for the future. The ATCF helps companies like ours focus and amplify our efforts.

2. Can travel gear and clothing companies play a bigger role in protecting places and people? What kind of things is Toad&Co doing in that regard?

Yes! We’ve demonstrated this in different ways over the years including the creation of our Search for Adventure program – a unique travel program to facilitate vacations for adults with disabilities; participation in the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge to increase diversity and inclusion within our own walls and the outdoor community at large; and continually raising awareness of ways to travel sustainably. And we believe doing good doesn’t have to be dutiful; it can be fun. For example, some of our clothing tags carry the tagline “Dirty is the New Clean,” and our blog reminds consumers to “wear more, wash less” and offers eco laundry tips.

3. Tell us about a trip that changed you or your thinking?

There have been many that have evolved my thinking, but recently I was invited on a wilderness paddle adventure in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, with a group of leaders advocating for its protection led by Steve Barker, founder of Eagle Creek [and board chair of the ATCF]. Of course the vastness, the beauty of the place, seeing nature in its pure undisturbed form, and most vividly, feeling part of the food chain versus on top of it, was unforgettable. But what struck me most was our stopover in Arctic Village, the home of an indigenous community that depended on both the preservation of these wild lands and on the sustainable tourism that visited their home. It had never been so clear how interconnected we all are and thus how much needs to be done to build awareness, respect, and protections for these delicate ecosystems that sustain the planet we all live on.

Project Update: ATCF Grant Funds Trail Maintenance in the Cochamó Valley

Friends of Cochamo received a $10,000 grant from ATCF in 2020. JB Haab, program director of the Front Range Climbing Stewards and member of the board of Friends of Cochamo, gave us an update on the “From Horse Guides to Conservation Stewards, Chile” project.

“We have made major improvements to the main access trail leading into the Cochamó Valley, a U-shaped valley located in the Andes, in Los Lagos region of Chile. Not only did the trail need considerable work, but we also had many arrieros (horse packers) in the local community who were out of work and facing lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down tourism in Cochamó like many other places. These arrieros built a very impressive 805 linear meters of boardwalks, a five-meter long bridge, a 15-meter guardrail, and 845 linear meters of sustainable trail. Perhaps even more impressive was how these funds helped galvanize support, spurring the arrieros and our sister organization, Organización Valle Cochamó raised more money to pay for work that went over our budget and also inspiring the next generation of conservationists to continue this work in the future.”

Coming up in 2022!

In This Issue:

• Big plans for 2022 and beyond!

• MiiR renews commitment as Adventure Leader

• New virtual speaker series

• Auction update, calendar, and more

• Three questions for new member Baboo

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MIIR RENEWS SUPPORT AS ADVENTURE LEADER

Seattle-based outdoor product company MiiR has renewed its longtime support of ATCF, coming in as an Adventure Leader for 2022. ATCF Adventure Leaders commit to a minimum of $25,000 annually. MiiR joined in 2019 as an Adventure Leader and additionally has donated products for ATCF member and donation campaigns. Moreover, it donated $9,000 to boost grants to three 2021 projects. The company partners with some of the most respected nonprofits in the world to create sustainable projects which support clean water, a healthy environment, and strong communities across the globe. “We are thrilled to have MiiR as an ongoing partner. Our missions of empowering people and protecting places for a better future are aligned,” says Soraya Shattuck, ATCF’s Executive Director. “MiiR represents the best of our community.”

MiiR, creates timeless, innovative and responsibly designed products, primarily in the insulated drinkware category, and each year, invests a portion of top-line revenue into organizations whose work uplifts both people and planet. To date, MiiR has given over 2.7 million dollars to 100+ non-profit organizations in 26 different countries. “We believe every decision you make has an impact,” says Tiffany Ong, SVP of Impact and People. “Preserving the cultures, places and ecosystems which help our global community thrive is core to who we are as a company.”

Step up to become an ATCF Adventure Leader! Contact Soraya or any of the members of the board.

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ATCF to Launch a Virtual Speaker Series

Our community is a unique one, consisting of companies, organizations, and media in the adventure travel and outdoor gear space, as well as local nonprofits and community organizations, all committed to the belief that responsible travel can have a positive impact on people, places, and planet. We are launching an exclusive speaker series aimed at gathering and growing this impactful community. The inaugural livestream, being planned for TK, will introduce you to past and current project grantees and the insights we can learn from their experiences. Future gatherings will focus on topics relevant to the community.

We are looking for a volunteer willing and able to lead this important initiative.

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Items and Sponsors Needed for Annual Auction

Items and Sponsors Needed for Annual Auction

ATCF's annual auction raises critical funds to enable its work. Please consider becoming a sponsor or donating an item.

We are soliciting a range of items like trip packages, hotel accommodations, airline tickets, adventure travel tours, etc. See examples from our 2019 auction.

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So why should you be involved in the ATCF auction?

• Visibility through ATCF’s auction emails and messages to our entire database

• If it is a high-value item then we may feature it on CharityBuzz.com, which caters to high-end travelers and environmentally conscious bidders. Charitybuzz has a network of 60,000+ active bidders and their website receives 600,000+ unique views per month

• Exposure through The Adventure Travel Association’s newsletters and social communications to a network of over 23,000 travelers worldwide

• Exposure in an Adventure Travel Prosper piece that goes out to another 5,000 people and 1,300 organizations.

• Spotlight for your company in a rotation of announcements on our social media sites

• Logo posted on ATCF’s website as a donor during the auction;

• Allows you to align with ATCF, which is known worldwide for our important work in conserving travel destinations

• All donations from U.S. based companies are tax-deductible

To donate, simply complete this form (5 minutes) as soon as possible and we will follow up with you to finalize details. Questions? Ask Soraya.

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Member Spotlight: 3 Questions for Baboo's Paul Sarfati

In the midst of the pandemic, Paul Sarfati, founder of Bamba Travel, decided to start a new travel company, Baboo, an innovative platform that connects travelers directly with local in-destination experts to build custom itineraries all over the world, giving travelers on-the-ground expertise at reasonable prices. Baboo provides centralized assurance and assistance. Not only that, but the company compensates for all the CO2 emissions of the entire trip (including flights), and donates a percentage of its sales to conservation causes, including the ATCF. We had three questions for Paul, who is based in Mexico City.

The majority of travel companies, including yours, were hit hard by the pandemic, yet you launched a new company. Why? Everything stopped, and I actually had time to breathe, to relax, to revive, to become better, and to value what I have. I was inspired to start a business that would be innovative and that could work great with the "new" normal; I wanted it to be a force for good to support our planet. It's our responsibility as business owners and entrepreneurs to do something about it, and not depend entirely on the world’s governments, which in most cases are not doing enough. To that end, Baboo is working towards becoming a B-Corporation and all that entails. We are also working to make sure that the carbon footprint our trips produce is not only compensated, but overcompensated, so that when clients travel with Baboo, they are already helping the planet.

You made a bold commitment to donate one percent of your company’s sales to ATCF. Why? The Adventure Travel Conservation Fund has the same values as Baboo and firmly believes in the power of travel to protect and conserve the environment. I have seen the work that the ATCF has done in the past with many different projects, and I believe that donating one percent of our sales to ATCF is a great way to help. I think all travel companies should commit part of their profits to give back to the planet, and the ATCF is one to seriously consider. We need to be the change we want to see in the world.

Tell us about a trip that changed you or your thinking. When I was 18 years old, I traveled around the world for a year. I experienced things I had never done before and I met people who challenged my many pre-structured ways of thinking. I did a 10-day Vipassana meditation program; took a Thai massage course; got lost in the Kumbh Mela—the largest spiritual festival in India—for 24 hours without money, food, or water; got certified in scuba diving; among many other things. These experiences taught me to enjoy life, but also to see first-hand the inequality that exist on our planet, thus opening me to learning and exploring more. That yearlong trip led me to dedicate my life to traveling, and to find ways to help people and the planet.

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ATCF Joins 1% For The Planet Network

Did you know that the ATCF is an accredited and certified nonprofit partner of the 1% For The Planet network? That means that donations to ATCF, including membership dues, by individual and business members of the network count toward their annual commitment.

Recognizing that the climate crisis cannot be solved without recognizing the disproportionate impact of environmental issues, 1% for the Planet was founded to prevent greenwashing, certify reputable giving, and provide accountability. The 1% for the Planet certification is given to businesses and individuals that meet its high-bar commitment—donate at least one percent of annual sales or salary to environmental causes.

But you don’t have to be a member of 1% For The Planet to make the same commitment. Read about Paul Sarfati of Baboo in “Member Spotlight,” below. Paul has made the bold pledge to donate one percent or more of the company’s annual profits to the ATCF.

Make your commitment to the ATCF today. Join as a member, or make a one-time or monthly donation. For more information, contact Soraya or speak to any of the members of the board.

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Thank You to Retiring Board Members Josie Norris and Praveen Moman

After serving two terms, for a total of five years each, Josie Norris of the Conservation Alliance and Praveen Moman of Volcanoes Safaris are exiting the ATCF board. “Both Josie and Praveen have gone above and beyond, these last five years, and I cannot thank them enough,” says Soraya Shattuck, ATCF Executive Director. “Our organization is a lean one, and board members do a lot of the heavy lifting. Josie and Praveen have each brought unique strengths during the ATCF’s formative years.”

As grants director for the Conservation Alliance, a group of like-mind companies that disburses its collective annual membership dues to grassroots environmental organizations, Josie was instrumental in formalizing ATCF’s grant program, where she chaired the Grant’s Subcommittee.

The founder and CEO of Volcanoes Safaris, Praveen has been at the forefront of reviving tourism in Uganda and Rwanda. Having weathered many storms, Praveen's insightful guidance during the foundational years of the ATCF has been key to its success.

While they will be missed on the Board, Josie and Praveen don’t get off scot-free. As board alumni, they join the ATCF advisory committee and will continue to be called on to provide advice and support.

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Mark Your Calendars!

SPRING

May 3 to 5, 2022
Adventure Elevate
Eugene, Oregon
ATCF representatives will attend; look for us.

SUMMER

Dates TBD
ATCF Auction
Virtual, join from anywhere
Auction items currently being solicited.

June 9 to 11, 2022
Summer Outdoor Retailer Show
Denver, Colorado

ATCF will host an afternoon event on June 9 for OR attendees, gear folks, and friends in the Denver area.

FALL
October 3 to 6, 2022
Adventure Travel World Summit
Lugano, Switzerland
ATCF will host a breakfast.

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LUGANO SWITZERLAND; PHOTO: MAKSYM HARBAR/UNSPLASH

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ATCF Loves Its Volunteers!

ATCF runs a lean administration, and therefore volunteers play an integral role in our work. In addition to our dedicated and active board members, who fundraise and run committees and guide operations, we have several people working hard behind the scenes. Jonathan Burnham helps guide our digital marketing. Jerry Sealy worked to get our new newsletter out. Amy Brown is working with ATCF to conduct a needs assessment (while completing her PhD).

Learn more about volunteering and join us!

The Whales of Guerrero - Project Update

Here’s an update from The Whales of Guerrero, one of our 2021 Grant Winners:

Now that we know we can launch at least one land-based survey thanks to ATCF support, we have sprung into action! We dream of running 6 sites simultaneously and involving the whole community in the creation of a mother/calf humpback whale sanctuary in Guerrero.

Last week, we received permission from the government to work out of a lighthouse in front of the busy city of Zihuatanejo, where we know mom/calf pairs like to rest right at the surface and where there is a lot of boat traffic. We will be perched atop this lighthouse all season long learning how whales use the marine environment in front of Zihuatanejo and what threats they may face from boat traffic.

We have an incredible team of local citizen scientists and early career scientists in place and want to do more! We have scoped out ideal survey spots extending along a 75-mile stretch of coastline, from the surfer’s paradise of Troncones through all inclusive vacation mecca of Ixtapa to the busy fishing port and charming tourist destination of Zihuatanejo to the tranquil ecotourism village of Barra de Potosi. With your support, our team will spend a minimum of 4 days at each potential site this season to gather preliminary information about humpback whale resting birthing and nursing spots and share what we discover with local communities, involving them in the process so deeply that it will be only natural to create sanctuaries where moms and their newborn calves can rest, grow and gather strength for their long journey north.

We also designed, printed, and are hanging at every port of departure this week. In partnership with the safe whale watch captains who we love to empower and support.

Katherina Audley
Founder and Director
Whales of Guerrero

MORE ABOUT WHALES OF GUERRERO

The Whales of Guerrero facilitates community-driven conservation in the fishing village of Barra de Potosí and throughout the southwest Pacific State of Guerrero, Mexico, pioneering a new approach to coastal protection that cultivates local leadership through citizen science, peer learning, and community outreach. After seven years of collaborative marine mammal research, the seeds of stewardship have taken root in our region. We want to help them bear fruit by galvanizing an emerging group of Fishery and Conservation Leaders who will lead the community toward long-term marine restoration and conservation. The Whales of Guerrero connects people with nature through programs that inspire and empower environmental stewardship.

2020 Grant Winners - 6 Projects Funded

2020 was a rough year for the entire planet but we still made an impressive leap forward in conservation by funding 6 NEW conservation initiatives in Chile, Cambodia, Botswana, Palestine and Bolivia.

Our 6th grant winner, in Guyana, was funded by travelers from all around the world! During the month of December, we were able to raise over $10,000 in donations from individuals who care about conservation and the protection of our travel destinations.

Support for the Last Remaining Elephants, Cambodia

Continuing critical care for Cambodia's last remaining captive and wild elephants, restoring their forest habitat, and supporting the indigenous Bunong community during the Covid 19 Pandemic, enabling the project to continue to attract adventurous eco-tourists both.

From Horse Guides to Conservation Stewards, Chile

Funding of this project will allow out of work arrieros (horse guides) affected by diminished tourism, to earn income while working for a much needed stewardship infrastructure project. This project will refurbish critical sensitive sections of the trail to Cochamó and provide wages to an invaluable workforce which keeps Cochamó afloat.

The Elephant Express Conservation Bus, Botswana

The Elephant Express buses educate and promote human-wildlife coexistence by safely transporting vulnerable members of the community through an elephant corridor along which elephants move between key wildlife tourism areas.

Homestay Family Training Program, Palestine

The purpose of the project is to conduct COVID-specific capacity-building training so that local communities can again welcome tourists and thereby continue to raise awareness of the need to protect the Palestinian environment, heritage, and unique communities.

Strengthening Resilience in Chalalán Ecolodge, Bolivia

Recovering tourism after the pandemic in the heart of the Madidi National Park will secure the future income for the indigenous Uchupiamonas families and stewardship of the natural capacities of the indigenous peoples living in this highly biodiverse landscape.

From Horse Guides to Conservation Stewards, Chile

Funding of this project will allow out of work arrieros (horse guides) affected by diminished tourism, to earn income while working for a much needed stewardship infrastructure project. This project will refurbish critical sensitive sections of the trail to Cochamó and provide wages to an invaluable workforce which keeps Cochamó afloat.

THANK YOU!

Our mission to harness the travel community's environmental and cultural conservation efforts for maximum impact, means nothing with our the support of so many people who make this happen:

• ATCF Members for sharing the importance of this campaign

• MiiR and Aria Luna for the generous gifts to donors

• Grayl for offering a $2,000 match for this campaign

• Every. Single. Donor.

$26,000 Awarded from Fund a Ranger Campaign

We did it! Last month we launched our Fund a Ranger Campaign and with your help, in just four short weeks, we raised over $26,000! These funds will be going directly to three organizations around the world, including Kenya, Belize and Namibia, to get rangers back into the wild protecting our world’s most valuable species.

Anne K. Taylor Fund

Friends for Conservation & Development

Conservation Travel Foundation

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Anne k. Taylor Fund

Protecting Wildlife in Maasai Mara

Challenges:

Nairobi has been in lockdown for the past several months, with everyone country-wide being mandated to stay at home. This includes the AKT rangers, whose safety is paramount. During this period, only partial salaries were paid as the revenue that typically supports their livelihood comes from wildlife tourism, of which there is currently none. Without regular patrols, and the current dire financial situation in Kenya with millions losing their source of livelihood due to the collapse of the Tourist industry (and its trickle-down effect), the snaring and poaching for bushmeat has increased. Additionally, ivory and rhino poachers are also trying their luck.

How funding will be spent?

The grant will keep patrols in the field - we have three vehicles (one for boma fortification team; one for patrol team; one for community work) which is an additional expense on top of salaries for the team. Our patrols protect all species which include elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, and all other wildlife. Snaring is indiscriminate. We have actively participated in wildlife rescues of all aforementioned animals when they have man-induced injuries. Through our patrols, we are directly protecting all wildlife from any Human-Wildlife Conflict retaliation should they wander into community areas.

What does This grant mean to you?

“The COVID-19 lockdown in Kenya has delayed our work for several months, and the team has been anxious to get back to their work protecting the wildlife. This most generous grant will allow me to reinstate their salaries and continue with our patrol work. The Great Migration is currently in the Masai Mara in huge numbers, and this is when the poaching increases – so, this grant is coming at the perfect time to help us save multitudes of animals. During our absence, the poachers have become bolder, but now we are back. We have already apprehended 4 active poachers in a few short days! Thank you so very much for honoring AKTF with this most valued grant.” - Anne K Taylor, Founder

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Friends for Conservation & Development

Combating illegal wildlife trafficking of macaws.

Challenges?

Illegal Wildlife Trafficking has been impacting the wildlife population in the Chiquibul Forest for many years although the extent of the problem is yet unknown. This year, based on the records obtained of over 50 parrots lost at the hands of wildlife traffickers, it became clear to us that if the present trend continues, we will be losing the wild populations of scarlet macaws in Belize. The subspecies (Ara macao cyanoptera) is already considered endangered. This prompted the creation of an anti-poaching unit. Protected areas have been closed from visitation and field personnel, particularly Governmental personnel were recalled from the field. This has left a window of in-governance leading to hunters and poachers taking advantage.

How Will Funding be Spent?

Raging fires, drought, lack of jobs, limited Governmental authorities in parks and protected areas, and a downslope national economy, are leaving a precarious situation for the rangers who help save species such as the scarlet macaw, jaguar and tapirs. FCD spends seven months conducting bio-monitoring of scarlet macaws which have been categorized by the USFWS as an endangered species and which is locally endangered. Every year more than 10 nests are monitored. In addition, FCD has activated an anti-poaching unit, due to the fact that last year it was reported that from 25 to 50 macaws were trafficked into Guatemala. FCD also has an in-situ conservation program where rescued chicks are hand fed for a soft release. Presently one chick is being cared for at the in-situ laboratory in the Chiquibul. Other species occurring in the park such as howler monkeys, white lipped peccaries and tapir are directly protected through ongoing active patrols.

What does this Grant Mean to you?

“The ATCF grant will assist in retaining the services of the Park Rangers that form part of this Unit. The aim will be to prevent poaching of these emblematic birds and improve their wild population by protecting the nests when they are most vulnerable. By keeping a monitoring and enforcement presence, other endangered species including jaguars, tapirs, white lipped peccaries, howler monkeys and other parrots will also be safeguarded.” ~Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director FCD

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Conservation Travel Foundation

Huab Rhino Rangers

Challenges

The Conservation Travel Foundation supports the protection of the black rhino, which was mainly funded by tourism and with the lack of tourism this funding has dried up and could impact the monitoring and preservation of this species which in turn could lead to them been poached.

How Funding Will be Spent?

Rhino Rangers are monitoring all species in the area, and recording any sightings of rare or special species to ensure better management of the area. During their daily patrols they are always on the look out for snares or other dangers to wildlife. During the intensified patrols since the beginning of COVID they have removed a total of 45 snares, new and old. Two teams are averaging around 120 rhino sightings a month (Versus the normal 80 a month), with intensified patrolling to ensure presence, this averages to about three rhino sightings a day.

What does this grant mean to you?

“During these difficult times it is an honor to receive funding to improve the livelihoods of these Rangers to ensure they continue the amazing work they do to preserve this amazing species, and in turn will secure a valuable income for their community through rhino tourism and provide hope to the next generation.”
- Jason Nott, Wilderness Travel

COVID Travel Industry - Feel Good Story

Written by Soraya Shattuck, ATCF Executive Director
April 24, 2020

Over the past several weeks, I have had many conversations with members to learn more about how they are navigating this new world. What I am finding out is that amid the uniform devastation of the travel industry amid COVID-19 there are glimmers of hope, stories with silver linings, and inspirational actions taken. I want to share one of those stories from the owner of a small three-person travel agency, whose business had essentially come to a halt. 

But our conversation was not focused on this. We talked about the viral effect of  the travel shutdown: the destinations who will not be seeing travelers for many months; the lodges and hotels that have had to close their doors; the tour guides who no longer have anyone to take on trips; the drivers who don’t have tourists to transport.  The impact goes on and on. 

But if negative things can have a viral effect, so can positive actions. He told me of a recent trip to India and that what made it memorable was not seeing the Taj Mahal or the Ganges River, but his driver. 

“So many aspects of how he supported us, the stories he shared with us, how he took care of us, made it such a massive difference, that our trip would have never been what it was without him.” He went on. “In this time when I know how we are hurting here, I am also imagining him. He is not working. As one of the primary breadwinners for his extended family, they depend on his livelihood for their survival. So when I sit here and feel upset about the trips that have been cancelled, and the impact that has on our business, for me, it goes much further.”

And here is where the warm fuzzies come in. 

He went on to explain that he recently contacted the driver to check on how he was doing. The result was as expected - out of a job and back home in his village trying to determine what happens next. 

“I told him that I was planning to send him $100. It’s not much, but it's something that I know that I can do to support someone who made an impact on me. I know that $100 could never repay the memories he helped create for my family, but it is what I can do right now.”

A few days after the travel agent sent this money, he received a Whatsapp message of thanks from the driver. The driver also informed him of an additional $25 included in the amount sent. 

“This was on purpose. I asked him to take the extra $25 and identify five people in his community who were needing it the most and give them each $5. Again, it is such a small amount, but if it can buy flour and lentils to help someone for even a small amount of time, then it is something. If I can help him, and he can help a few others, we need each other in these times.”

He then used an appropriate analogy for these times. “With COVID, the virus hits one person. And then it is spread to a few more. And then they spread it to even more people. And it’s the same thing that is happening in our industry. When one hotel has to close its doors because travelers can no longer visit, it does not only impact the hotel itself. It impacts its employees, the guides and suppliers, and many others. And as this amplifies. When fewer people are traveling, and more businesses cannot afford to stay open, the impacts are also spreading to them, and eventually the whole destination. Like the virus itself, these impacts will be felt by many. But…” he continued, “Like this virus, we can also spread good. With that $100 I sent the driver, it can hopefully support him for a little time. And with the $25 he will share with his community, he will be able to also help them for a small time as well.”

So as I sit here and reflect on this, I am filled with hope. Our community and industry are not only resilient, but are filled with love. Beyond the technical logistics of executing a trip, at the heart of all of our members, is a love to care for the natural resources of our destinations, and the people and communities who depend on them.

Conservation Making Great Headway in Patagonia

The Conservation Volunteers International Program (ConservationVIP) Project brought about a much-needed new trail to a region in the very highly trafficked Torres del Paine Park. In a park that witnesses an average of 150,000 international visitors per year, it’s paramount that conservation efforts take place to lessen the negative environmental impacts and strengthen the place for future travelers to enjoy! This project will be wrapping up at the end of February so stay tuned for a full report on all of the project successes!
 
To read about this project, it’s impacts, the origination of ConservationVIP and how this project made a difference for each of the people who contributed check out REI’s Squaring Travel with Conservation in Torres del Paine article.

ATCF Thanks Our Founding Members!

© ATTA / Hassen Salum

As we get the year started, we also want to take a moment to reflect back and extend our gratitude specifically to the companies who had the foresight to embark with us on this journey starting back in 2016. We couldn’t have made these last years so successful, and we thank you for helping us get the ATCF started, and for leading others in the industry who work at the cutting edge of stewarding the conservation of adventure travel destinations. We look forward to many years of partnership! 

Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, Advantage Travel Ecuador, AndAdventure Croatia (Aktivni Odmor doo), Adventure Travel Trade Association, Alaska Wildland Adventures, Angama Pty Ltd, Backroads, Ciclismo Classico, Conservation Alliance, Conservation Volunteers International Program, Cyclo Mundo, Dulabab Travel, Eagle Creek, Elder Treks, Emerging Destinations, Encounters Asia, Exito Travel, ExOfficio, ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours, GLP Films, Go Custom Travel, Grayl, Greenloons, Green Team Global, GreenSpot Travel, Hi Travel Tales, Holidays for Humanity, Host Agency Reviews, I, Like You, Tours, Ibex Expeditions, International Expeditions, Journeys International, Kallpa Tour Operator, Kartagener Associates Inc., kimkim Inc, Law Office of Chun T. Wright, PLLC, Mandala Tour, Liquid Spark, Lost World Adventures, Modern Adventure, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Natural Habitat Adventures, Norie Quintos Media, OARS, Pandion Consulting, Periplus Expeditions LLC, Polar Latitudes, Portugal Nature Trails, Pure Adventures, Reefs to Rockies, REI Adventures, Rios Tropicales, San Juan Island Outfitters, Say Hueque Argentina Journeys, Strategic Travel Consulting, Suite Integrity Travel, Tartan Group, The North Face, The Wild Source, Tierra del Volcan, Todos Santos Eco Adventures, Travel Oregon, Tribal Adventure Tours Inc., Tundra North Tours Ltd., UnCruise Adventures, Volcanoes Safaris, Wild Places, Wild Women Expeditions, Wilderness Scotland, Wilderness Travel, Wildland Adventures, YAANA Ventures, Zegrahm Expeditions

Thank you to all these founding members and to all our other members who have come on board with us since we were founded. Let’s make 2020 a fantastic year!

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

For all those that feel the same

Let's Start 2020 By Giving These Projects Life

In case you missed the news last month, we announced our 2019 Grant Winners and awarded $100,000 to fund five conservation projects. Although this was a record year for us we wish we could do more and fund all of the amazing projects that made it onto the ballot. 

For all those that feel the same - desiring to get more of these projects off the ground and running - ATCF launched our Adopt A Project Program in 2017 to facilitate member companies or other travel and outdoor and companies to support the other amazing projects left on the year’s ballot. From creating a trail in Georgia to support local tourism to saving sharks in Panama - here are the seven 2019 Projects for Adoption: (View Proposals)

• The Transcaucasian Trail- Pankisi Valley, Georgia

• Saving Coiba’s Sharks with Communities, Panama

• Sustainable Management for 6.3 Million Acres of Ecuadorian Rainforest, Ecuador

• A New Frontier, Egypt - Project Adopted!

• Protecting Coral Reefs through Sustainable Tourism, Timor Leste

• El Impenetrable National Park: Upraising the Wild, Argentina

• Bringing Back Endangered Wildlife into Montenegro’s National Park of Virgin Forests, Montene

Learn more about the Adopt A Project Program and please fill out this form to take the steps to fund a specific conservation project from ATCF's 2019 ballot.

Adopt A Project Application Form

Conservation Member Spotlight

Check out ATCF member Natural Habitats project Ride 4 A Woman! So many of our members are already doing awesome conservation work. If you are one of those, please share more with us so that we can help share it with our community!  

Share Your Story

Donate to the ATCF

Lastly, you can be a part of augmenting our impact by making a donation to support the ATCF. Thank you to recent individual donors Kim Ross and Mona McPhee whose donations are greatly appreciated. As one of our members, Luis Vargas from Modern Adventures said about the difference ATCF makes: 
 
“It's our responsibility and privilege to be able to invest in the conservation of people and place that make what we do possible. Thank you to the ATCF for making this possible in a simple and effective way.”

Your donation helps to:

• Grow our yearly grant program.

• Increase our ability to capture and distribute stories from our grant projects.

• Amplify our presence and reach at conferences and summits.

• Deepen the impact we are making in grant locations.

Donate Now

We thank you in advance for making a donation as a on-time offering or a recurring donation. Your donations are tax-deductible and greatly support us in furthering and deepening our collective impact.

Happiest of Holidays to you!

If you have any questions about the ATCF please send me your questions. 

Sincerely,

Soraya Shattuck
ATCF Executive Director

Natural Habitat Adventures: Ride 4 A Woman Seeding New Growth in Uganda

Outside of The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, life can be challenging and difficult to find jobs and career opportunities. Ride 4 A Woman initially began in 2009 by local women living just outside of the park as a bicycle rental shop focused on providing bicycles to tourists – a fresh way to earn income.  Over time, there grew a need to learn the skills for repairing bicycles. Now Ride 4 A Woman teaches locals valuable skills beyond just bike repair, including craft production for the tourism industry. All aspects of the project support entrepreneurial efforts for the Buhoma women. Natural Habitat Philanthropy came into the picture by purchasing two commercial sewing machines that have helped expand Ride 4 A Woman businesses within the local community. Today, more than 300 women from 11 villages now use or work at the Ride 4 A Woman community center.

How this fits into the larger ecosystem is that Natural Habitat Adventures recognizes that in order to save a species that attracts many adventure travelers, you need also the support of the locals who share their living space. The agricultural areas that push up against the boundaries of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park unfortunately exist as some of the most densely populated in Africa, and exhibit some of the fastest human population growth-rates in the world. To support the people and the conservation of the mountain gorillas which are key wildlife in this environment and a driver for tourism for the park, Natural Habitats Adventures decided to invest in women as an important lever for change for this community.

Countless studies have shown that when women have opportunities for more education and greater control over family finances, this results in smaller family size and increased health and well-being for the entire household. This directly benefits conservation of the mountain gorillas because smaller, healthier, more prosperous families have less need to encroach on the forest. Also, when women create businesses that serve the booming tourism industry, their families are more likely to want to protect the gorillas because they know they are benefiting from their presence.

The sales of the beautiful products created by the women from stunning African fabrics have become one of the key income streams supporting Ride 4 A Woman. Providing the organization with pedal sewing machines was vital in kickstarting their growing success and Natural Habitat Adventures is proud to have been able to spark this change. Besides pedal sewing and other activities, Ride 4 A Woman also offers micro-finance to budding businesswomen looking to create and build on their own entrepreneurial ideas. Over 100 women are currently engaged in the program across more than 10 different types of business initiative, ranging from second hand clothes stores to restaurants to tailor-made dresses and money transfer businesses.

Ride 4 A Woman has proven to be a successful business that supports The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s people, wildlife and the community at large.  Thanks to Natural Habitat Adventures for their work in making such positive impacts for this important adventure travel destination!

ATCF Board Member Conflict of Interest Policy Update

By Josie Norris

Our first guest blogger is ATCF board member Josie Norris. Josie is the communications and grant program manager at The Conservation Alliance a non-profit organization founded in 1989 based in Bend, Oregon that works to protect wild places throughout North America. Since its inception, the Alliance has contributed more than $20 million to grassroots conservation groups with a membership base of more than 235 member organizations.

Hello ATCF Community,

During our first two years as an organization, the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund awarded a total of $235,000 in grant funding to ten projects around the world. Our third grant cycle is underway, and we are on track to award $80,000 in 2019. Every organization seeking a grant from the ATCF must go through a rigorous application process. I’m writing today to provide background about our grant program, and clarify our policies around board member involvement. 

The ATCF is based on the same model that The Conservation Alliance has been using for 30 years. The Conservation Alliance engages businesses to protect wild places in North America. The ATCF adapted The Conservation Alliance’s unique grant-making process to fit the adventure travel industry’s needs and ATCF’s mission to fund projects all over the world.   

Through this process we learned about one big difference between The Conservation Alliance and ATCF. All Conservation Alliance member companies benefit from the creation of new protected areas where outdoor industry customers recreate, and no single business benefits more than another when a wild place is protected.  “All boats rise with the tide.” To that end, Conservation Alliance board member conflicts of interest are essentially non-existent. 

In contrast, ATCF projects are often in remote locations and some adventure travel companies will benefit more than others when a project is funded. To prevent ATCF board member conflicts of interest and the perception of conflicts, we have expanded our Conflict of Interest policy. These changes are specific to ATCF board member involvement in our grant program in three specific areas:  project nominations; the selection of projects that will be placed on the 2019 ballot; and voting. 

Nominating Projects

All member companies are encouraged to nominate two outstanding projects to apply for funding in each grant cycle. This benefit of membership applies to all member companies, including companies represented on our Board. ATCF attracts board members who are passionate about ATCF’s mission, engaged in global conservation initiatives, and knowledgeable about potential candidates for ATCF’s grants. Without board member participation in the nomination process, qualified and worthy projects may be overlooked. Along with regular members, board members  may nominate projects during the grant nominations period, provided that they fully disclose on the nomination form a) any interest that they or an affiliated party has in the project, and 2) any actual or potential conflict.

Ballot Discussion

During Board discussions regarding nominated projects, the nominating Board member may not participate in any Board discussions or votes regarding any project the Board member nominated. The nominating Board member shall recuse himself or herself from any discussion or vote. The Board may ask a nominating Board member for additional information about a project, just as it may reach out to a non-Board member with additional questions.

Ballot  

All projects on the ballot will clearly state connections to board member companies. This includes financial benefit, benefit to the local communities in which they operate, benefit to the cultural assets and historic site they rely on, etc. This information will be clearly stated on the ballot to ensure all ATCF members understand the connection to our Board member companies when voting for the projects they would like to fund.

Voting 

ATCF board members are prohibited from voting for a project that benefits their own companies if such projects are placed on the ballot. The decision to fund board member projects is based entirely on voting by ATCF’s membership.

For further information, please read through ATCF’s BOD Conflict of Interest statement and feel free to send any questions our way.  We look forward to another great grant cycle! If you are a member, don’t forget to vote!

World Nomads: Hard At Work Saving Generations of Sea Turtles

We posted this Member Spotlight Story back in an ATCF Newsletter in May, but wanted to highlight it again as fantastic conservation work showcased within the ATCF community.

In addition, after hearing some amazing stories at the Adventure Travel World Summit, ATCF wants to share more regularly member conservation stories so that we can learn and grow as a community together. If you are a member and have a compelling story to share that we can feature in our blog, please visit our Member Spotlight page and fill out a form or reach out to us with any questions.

The following video from ATCF member World Nomads produced in partnership with The Sea Turtle Conservancy documents the work these companies are doing in Costa Rica. This project’s aim is to reduce the impacts of climate change on sea turtles and promote eco-tourism around Tortuguero Beach, which hosts the largest green turtle rookery in the Western Hemisphere as a way to build sustainable conservation programs that provide revenue for local communities.

Read even more about this awesome project here.

Way to go World Nomads!

MiiR Steps Up As New ATCF Adventure Leader Member

We are pleased to welcome MiiR as the newest Adventure Leader member. Adventure Leaders are distinguished ATCF members leading the way in their fields to conserve natural and cultural resources of international adventure travel destinations. These members play a critical role in supporting ATCF operations, allowing the organization to run and manage a successful grant program. With signing on as an Adventure Leader, these companies make a three-year commitment to contribute $25,000 annually.
 
“We are already funding nonprofit work around the world, but would love to see a focus on adventure tourism.” says Charlie Clark, Director of Impact for MiiR. “MiiR has a goal to develop an internal travel program which would highlight partners, projects and adventures which are part of our company's greater ecosystem. We see this relationship as an excellent opportunity to not only help drive positive change but be connected to a robust network of like-minded groups.”
 
The ATCF came into existence in 2017 with organizations in the adventure travel and outdoor retailer industries uniting to support and catalyze conservation and environmental protection efforts worldwide. Since its inception in 2017, the organization has awarded $235k towards 10 projectsin 9 countries in just two short years.  
 
ATCF began their Adventure Leader membership when the organization began and with MiiR joining, we now have six Adventure Leaders: ExOfficio, Adventure Travel Trade Association, Eagle Creek, Backroads, REI Adventures and MiiR. Making a committing at this level, these Adventure Leaders have provided over $150 thousand in organizational support this year that helps the organization steward important conservation efforts worldwide.

MiiR, a Seattle based company founded in 2010, began with the mission to empower people for a better future. A Product to Project company, MiiR donates 3% of revenues to trackable Give Projects, creates timeless, innovative and thoughtfully designed products, primarily in the insulated drinkware category. MiiR partners with some of the most respected non-profits in the world to create sustainable projects that support clean water, a healthy environment, and strong communities across the globe. To date, MiiR has invested in 60 projects across 26 countries, and helped empower over 100,000 people.

Charlie Clark further explained that "at MiiR we exist to empower people for a better future. As an international brand which values environmental integrity and strong, healthy communities, it makes complete sense to align ourselves with the ATCF and its vision. As an Adventure Leader we hope to support critical programs and help drive awareness of the people and places which make the world worth traveling."

Thanks so much to MiiR and to all of the other members dedicated to supporting The Adventure Travel Conservation Fund protect the natural and cultural resources of adventure travel destinations. To learn more about membership, please read through our membership page, sign up to become a member below or contact us with any questions.

Sincerely,

Soraya Shattuck
Executive Director

PS: Thanks to MiiR for supplying us these sweet coffee tumblers at the ATCF Breakfast Meeting! This helped me reduce my plastic waste at this year's Adventure Travel World Summit in Sweden.

ATCF Reaching New Heights!

Adventure tourism stands at the precipice of making a positive impact on conservation.  What better perspective to hear what’s happening in this field than from Leo Houlding, world class climber, alpinist and adventurer with his fair share of adventures to far out ledges all over the world.

Leo first began climbing at the age of 10 and went on to come into fame when at 18 he became the first Briton to free climb El Capitan in the Yosemite Valley.  Since his career began, Leo has traveled worldwide in pursuit of exploratory adventures to the world’s most extreme environments.  He recently led an Antarctica expedition at the end of 2017 along with Mark Sedon and Jean Burgun that included kite skiing across Antarctica, attempting to climb Spectre peak alpine style, and then kiting back across the continent to get home is beyond ambitious.  Leo says, “The price of being ambitious is that you’re never satisfied”.   

Come Be Inspired!

The Adventure Travel Conservation Fund is delighted to welcome Leo as the guest speaker for our upcoming Annual Breakfast Meeting taking place in Sweden next week.  Leo will be reflecting on his most recent adventure to Papua New Guinea and discussing how adventure tourism development is about to impact this untouched remote area where tourism has not yet reached.  This area is threatened by the Palm Oil industry and showcases from Leo’s perspective the indigenous community working together to protect and steward the land for sustainable development.

With the global adventure tourism market valued at $444,850 million in 2016 and projected to reach $1,335,738 million in 2023, learning from adventure travel champions, like Leo Houlding, on ways to travel and protect the places we love is crucial.  Get ready to be motivated, inspired and in wonderment for how one man is making a difference in the conservation of adventure travel destinations.

If you are coming to Sweden next and attending the ATWS and plan to make it to this ATCF Breakfast Meeting with Leo Houlding speaking, apace is limited, so please let us know if you plan to attend by responding you are coming to this event on our FB event page, and show up early!

Welcome Our Two Newest ATCF Board of Directors

We are so pleased to welcome two new members to the ATCF board.

Gordon Seabury and Chris Noble both come to the ATCF bringing ample experience and a readiness for joining our active board as we continue to move the dial on conservation for adventure travel destinations. With terms beginning in January 2020, adding these two individuals brings the board of directors to fourteen members. We could not be more excited!

A little more about these two men so that you can get a better sense of who they are and why they accepted their nominations (as well as receiving sufficient votes by ATCF members) for joining this board of directors:

GORDON SEABURY, TOAD&CO

As an outdoor industry leader for the last 22 years, Gordon has committed his career to building brands that practice a triple bottom line (people, planet and profit) approach to business. After a four year stint as a management consultant at Deloitte, Gordon purchased Toad&Co (formerly Horny Toad Activewear), a small start-up outdoor apparel brand based in Telluride, CO. Now headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA, he remains the CEO and Toad&Co designs responsible outdoor lifestyle clothing that seamlessly transitions from trail to tavern. He also co-founded Planet Access 20 years ago, a social enterprise committed to providing life skills, vocational training and outdoor experiences for people with disabilities. Gordon spent 17 years on the Outdoor Industry Association Board most recently as its Chairman. He formerly served on the Board of the not-for-profit Heal the Bay in Santa Monica and as a Director for RootsRated.com, a tech start-up in the outdoor lifestyle space. He is currently on the Advisory Boards of Alante Capital and Limeloop and sits on the Eco-Entrepreneurship Advisory Council at the Bren School at UCSB. He also serves as a mentor for Telluride Venture Accelerator and several early stage sustainable start-ups.

How do you feel that your history best prepares you for service on the ATCF Board? 

I have been involved in the outdoor industry for 23 years as CEO of Toad&Co (formerly Horny Toad), a responsible outdoor and travel lifestyle apparel brand. During that time, I have also served on several Boards including the Outdoor Industry Association Board for 15 years (Chairman from 2015-2017). I currently work with several early stage entrepreneurs as adviser and mentor and on the Advisory Council of the Eco-Entrepreneurial program at the Bren Graduate School at UCSB. Toad&Co has been active members of the Conservation Alliance for over a decade along with many other environmental and socially responsible organizations in the industry and the communities we serve.

Describe prior experience you have working with nonprofits and conservation groups? 

I have been involved as a Board member or adviser for several not-for-profits including the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), Planet Access & Search for Adventure (a social venture co-founded between T&Co and an organization providing vocational training, housing and life experiences for people with disabilities), Heal the Bay and the Bren Graduate School. I have also personally been active in Toad&Co's support and Board participation of the Conservation Alliance although not personally as a Board member.

Outline the specific skills you bring or contributions you hope to make to the ATCF Board.

Financial and strategic organization planning.
Start-up/early stage organizational experience and advice.
Building stronger relationships and network between the Outdoor and Adventure Travel industries.
Contribute to the future vision, scale and scope of the ATCF.
Leverage my OIA Board experience over the past 15 years to support ATTA/ATCF organizational evolution through growth and success.

Why do you seek a position on the ATCF Board of Directors?

Through my work and personal global travel, I have a deep appreciation for the impact adventure travel experiences can have on individuals and importance of preserving those experiences for future generations. I have been impressed since the launch of the ATCF at the Alaska ATTA Summit with the vision and momentum built to-date. I believe we are at a unique moment when the powers of the ATTA and OIA communities can work more collaboratively together to further their collective influence both in the activities and experiences they promote and the responsible conservation and sustainability ethos they share. I hope to contribute to building that collaboration and the corresponding momentum it can create.

Describe any experience with sustainable tourism.

Through our Toad&Co partnerships in the ATTA and our commitment to support sustainable living methods and business practices, we have provided education and eco-travel opportunities to our responsible consumer audience.

Describe any experience working in fundraising and development.

While there were some limited fundraising elements of the OIA Board, my most specific fundraising experience came from my Board role at Heal the Bay as it was the prime purpose of the position.

Describe any experience working with indigenous/community groups.

I do not have any personal experience working with indigenous groups.

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CHRIS NOBLE, WORLD NOMADS

Chris Noble is the GM of WorldNomads.com. A travel insurance brand that provides cover to residents of over 130 countries around the world. With over 20 years’ experience in strategic marketing, brand building, strategic alliance development, poorly crafted jokes and online community development, Chris is also the co-founder of The Footprints Network. The Footprints Network is an alliance of e-commerce travel companies funding global community development projects through micro-donations. So far they have funded over 217 community projects around the world from over 2 millions donations, harnessing the power of travelers to change lives. If he hadn’t escaped into the unknown in his youth, met people from all corners of the globe, continued to understand the world he lives in and worked hard with members of the adventure travel community to make a positive impact… he’d probably have been a Vegas dancer. We think he made the right call for all of us.

How do you feel that your history best prepares you for service on the ATCF Board? 

I have been the General Manager of WorldNomads.com, an adventure travel insurance and travel services provider for the past 10 years (15 years in total). We have also been an ATTA member for over 10 years. We have been at the forefront of digital and content marketing, having worked with over 25 ATTA member organizations across a multitude of programs and campaigns aimed at growing awareness and participation in adventure travel. This has lead to not only developing a highly profitable international business underpinned by a substantial community (over 1.5 million travelers) but more importantly done so through harnessing partnerships with likeminded adventure organizations. Those that want to leave a positive impact and create sustainable programs that support people, communities and our planet. That's what inspires me and working within the ATCF to that goal would be an honor.

Describe prior experience you have working with nonprofits and conservation groups? 

In 2005 after the Asian Tsunami, we developed The Footprints Network. Footprints is an organisation dedicated to fundraising through micro-donations technology. We do not implement projects itself but partner with specialist charities and NGO’s. The Footprints Network fund projects that broadly align to one or more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in effort to help end poverty and shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path by 2030. We believe that people will have come across many of these issues as they travel around the world and have a moral obligation to give a little back to do something about them. So far we have raised over $4.5 million dollars, from over 1.7 million travelers that have funded and completed 217 development projects worldwide. It's not the money we are proud of, it's that we've been able to tap into the hearts and wallets of over 1.7 million travelers that care as much as we do.

Outline the specific skills you bring or contributions you hope to make to the ATCF Board.

As above. I believe my strong marketing, leadership, partnership building skills combined with my passion for supporting the development of sustainable tourism programs makes me a strong candidate to join the team.

Why do you seek a position on the ATCF Board of Directors?

I believe through my experience with both WorldNomads.com and The Footprints Network that I can bring both the skills, passion and a different perspective on how to grow the impact of the work ATCF does. I am incredibly passionate about how to engage not just member organisations, but also travellers in general in ensuring that the work that the ATCF undertakes can have an impact beyond just the organisation membership. I want to help understand and create opportunities for all travellers to become both educated and ultimately advocates for sustainable tourism worldwide.

Describe any experience with sustainable tourism.

As above, we are working through Footprints to fund more projects based around sustainable tourism (such as - https://www.footprintsnetwork.org/project/214/Empower-Farmers-for-Sustainable-Tourism-in-South-India.aspx). We are also working on a 'Full Stack' approach to funding sustainable tourism with a number of ATTA members and have been a secondary funding partner for ATCF since its inception.

Describe any experience working in fundraising and development.

As above - lots! :)

Describe any experience working with indigenous/community groups.

Through The Footprints Network we have funded organizations that work primarily with local and indigenous community groups. This has been core to Footprints and the SDGs have provided that framework to enable our funding to reach those communities most in need. To see this in action, go to - https://www.footprintsnetwork.org/fundedprojects.aspx

Learn more about our Board of Directors.

Outdoor Retailer Success & The Summer Deets

We wanted to share a quick recap of how things went for us at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Show June 16 - June 20, 2019. This was our third year attending this show and we had a fantastic time!

The Deets!

In addition to catching up with ATCF members, successful meetings with brands, connecting with new folks and taking part in many happenings, we also hosted an AdventureConnect ATCF fundraising event in partnership with the Adventure Travel Trade Association. This event was a huge success with nearly 200 people attending spanning across the outdoor industry and adventure travel sectors! We also featured a silent auction with outdoor gear and adventure travel trips which were donated from a number of our ATCF members. Between closing a couple items from GreenSpot Travel and Todos Santos Eco Adventures, as well as raffling off a grand prize for an OARS rafting trip, we raised approximately $15 thousand dollars over the course of the event and the month of June! Attendees at the event also got the chance to hear from two-time grant winner WILDCOAST about all the conservation work they are up to in Baja and Oaxaca, Mexico. The event was so successful we plan to put it on next year! So mark your calendars for June 24, 2020 to join us again for this event.

Special Thanks

We want to thank the many ATCF members/partners whom made the OR Summer show a hit!  We had a great time engaging and catching up with a number of ATCF member companies attending the show and whom supported us in one way or another. 

We want to express our deep gratitude to all the member companies who donated items to the ATCF June auction - Angama Mara, Volcanoes Safari, Adventure Travel Trade Association, Eagle Creek, Mountain Lodges of Peru, OARS, Hydro Flask, ExOfficio, Osprey, Grayl, Toad & Co, Northern Outdoors, Stanley, Ibex Expeditions, Todos Santos Eco Adventures, GreenSpot Traveland REI Adventures. So many amazing items and adventure travel trips were bid on thanks to these member companies who supported us with this auction. A big heartfelt thanks! 

In addition, shout outs are warranted to members/partners who generously sold items during the Outdoor Retailer show, with proceeds going to support the ATCF.  This includes the following companies (some of whom have been making this happen for the last three years at this show). You all are rockstars!

Finally, we also were fortunate to have the following companies sponsors for our AdventureConnect event at the OR Show which made the event that much stronger and amazing. Thank you so much to Light my Fire, MSR, Branwyn, Upslope Brewing, Epic Brewing and REI for your contributions!

Whether you met with us at the OR show, joined us for our event or participated in our auction, we want to thank you for all your support. We hope all of you who attended the OR Summer Show had an equally great time and that those fortunate auction winners enjoy your amazing items.

Have questions about the OR Show or any other questions? Let me know.

Sincerely,

Soraya Shattuck
ATCF Executive Director

Angama Foundation: Raising Awareness and Conservation Funding – One Image at a Time

Each year, millions of wildebeest and zebra come thundering over the border between Tanzania and Kenya, making their way from the Serengeti into the Maasai Mara, and bringing with them a steady flow of travellers to observe the extraordinary spectacle of The Great Migration.  

However, having one of the world’s most iconic natural events occurring right on your doorstep can be both a blessing and a curse for those that call the Maasai Mara home. A blessing because every year, you can rely on ample tourism interest during the months of the migration, but also a curse because when the migration leaves, so too do the bulk of the Mara’s visitors. Yet there is life aplenty left behind, along with communities and conservation entities that depend on a steady flow of visitors and contributors to sustain them. 

Amongst those most negatively impacted are community members whom often get only seasonal employment when camps and lodges opt to open just during the migration. Additionally, national park authorities, which are heavily reliant on visitor fees for funding, can face financial challenges outside of the typical migration season. 

This deeply embedded seasonality pattern can, to a large extent, be blamed on marketing – with too great a focus placed on the migration and too little on the phenomenal wildlife-viewing that takes place outside of the “peak season” months. So if marketing created the problem, it made sense to look to marketing for the solution – which is how The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year was born.

Now in its second year, The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year was launched by the Angama Foundation to reinforce the status of the Maasai Mara National Reserve as one of the best year-round wildlife destinations on the continent, while raising much-needed funds for six boots-on-the-ground conservation NGOs working in and around the Mara.

In spreading the visual story of the Mara year-round, we are able to put the spotlight on the destination, its wildlife and its people, with the aim of ultimately ensuring the long-term survival of the park and putting an end to seasonal employment practices.

The annual photographic is open to photographers of all skills and the rules state that no migration images may be entered at any time other than during the Mara’s typical migration months of June to October.

Each month, a finalist is selected by a panel of acclaimed wildlife photographer judges, including Art Wolfe, Federico Veronesi, Adam Bannister, Nisha Purushothaman and Michael Poliza, as a contender to win the grand prize and earn the title: The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year.

The prize is a substantial $10,000 in cash, with a five-night all-inclusive safari at Angama Mara, along with return local flights. Entry fees of $20 per image are donated in full to the entrant’s choice of one of six conservation partners: The Mara Elephant Project; The Maa Trust; The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust; The Mara Conservancy; and The Anne K. Taylor Fund; and The Angama Foundation.

The Mara’s community of safari guides are incentivized to support the competition and encourage their guests to enter through prizes for the winning photographer’s guide. Last year, the guide of the winning photographer won a new Suzuki four-wheel drive vehicle and this year, the top three guides will be flown to England to watch a life Premier League match.  

The results? The 2018 edition of the competition attracted almost 1,000 images and entry fees of over $16,500, which were donated in full to the conservation partners.

Giving an additional boost to the reach and fundraising potential, during 2019, the top 2018 entries were showcased at exhibitions around the world, including Nairobi, Seattle, Melbourne, Brisbane, Dubai and Cape Town, with Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Indianapolis, Moscow and Johannesburg still line up for this year. These exhibitions are run in partnership with African tour operators, and limited prints are auctioned during the events to raise additional funds for the six conservation partners. At the Cape Town event alone, more than $20,000 was raised in just one night.

Of course, the real prize is one that is likely to first emerge as a very subtle shift in perception: a fresh understanding that there is far more to the Mara than the migration, a consciousness that by rethinking just the timing of a trip (and without compromising on the wildlife experience), you can play a part in the long-term sustainability of one of the world’s most precious natural habitats for generations to come.

Author: This guest post is written by Nicky Fitzgerald of The Angama Mara, owner and co-founder. Nicky’s journey in hospitality has taken her from South Africa’s Western Cape through all the major wilderness high spots of Africa, and later India, where she was part of a team that built, opened, ran and marketed over 50 safari lodges for &aBeyond. Nicky also spent two years exploring ecotourism possibilities in Latin America. Now she is back at the front door of her lodge – a place she loves best of all.

A New Face At ATCF

May greetings to you all!  Some of you may have already received emails from me or noticed an announcement not too long ago about ATCF hiring a Membership & Outreach Coordinator; well I’m excited to introduce myself and share with you this news of launching this ATCF blog!

I am fortunate to be joining Soraya Shattuck, the Executive Director of the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund, as well as an amazing group of Board of Directors.  If you haven’t read their bios yet, I’d definitely recommend you check them out!  

One of my desires coming into this position involves building community.  It’s a tall order to coalesce the adventure travel and outdoor retailer industries together towards protecting and stewarding natural and cultural assets wherever adventure travel business transpires.  But, it’s possible! And the ATCF has been paving this path as we continue to learn and evolve, with all of your support, in continuing this journey.

What I’m excited about with this new role involves collaborating with each other, sharing stories, learning from what’s working and what’s not in the field and in the industry and supporting one another in treasuring all aspects of the places where we travel to protect this interconnected planet we are blessed to inhabit.  I hope this blog can be a step in this direction!

It’s our plan with this blog to share a variety of stories with you such as highlighting lessons learned from the field, showcasing extraordinary stories, commenting on topics current in the news, showcasing news related to our grant projects, reviewing trade or industry shows and more.  If you have ideas for us, great; share them! If you want to guest write a post for us; awesome, let’s line that up! If you have an idea you would love to hear our thoughts on or explored by us, let us know!

To give you all a bit more background on myself and what brought me to the ATCF, I first off want to share that I grew up very active – playing soccer (I still play!), skiing, snowboarding, hiking, running and traveling the world (I still do all these things too!).  I was fortunate to spend the year abroad in college – Quito, Ecuador & Santiago, Chile – and that experience blew my mind and inspired me to pursue work in the international development field, which led me to double major in Spanish and International Studies. I went on to work at Global Exchange, the Foundation for Sustainable Development, Fair Trade USA and SeeYourImpact before entering an MBA in Sustainable Business program at the Presidio Graduate School (formerly Pinchot University).  In addition to work and school, nature has always played a big part in my life with getting out every day for a walk or hike and feeling most at home in the outdoors. This immense love prompted me to start my own company Naturefy as well as begin working as a wilderness tour guide for Evergreen Escapes in Seattle and join the board of Rite of Passage Journeys all of which I am still active and pursing currently. This brings me full circle to the ATCF where I am thrilled to once again work at an international level and have the opportunity to bring different groups together work to protect and enhance vital natural places worldwide.

I look forward to working with you all, meeting you when that chance may arise and collaborating with you all to do our part in stewarding cherished places that we hold dear throughout the world.   Please do not hesitate to reach out to me and I look forward to working with you all!

Many blessings,

Marisa