As interest in the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) continues to grow, the Association is delighted to welcome 3 new members and an additional Scientific Advisor into the fold. This brings to 13 the number of new members that have joined the organisation since January 1st meaning there are currently 120 organisations in the outdoor industry engaging with conservation in this way.
Peaxz, an executive search and advisory consulting firm dedicated to the outdoor, sports and fitness sectors, Thule, the sports and outdoor company with the tagline ‘Bring your Life’ and Chrissy Dorn Business Development Outdoor & Sports, a PR agency, are the most recent organisations to join EOCA and are thrilled to be part of EOCA’s growing numbers. Pontus Alexandersson, Environmental Manager for Thule Group said, “Thule is very keen to conduct its business with as little impact on the environment as possible, seeing it not only as the right thing to do, but that the company’s entire success depends on its employees, customers, and consumers being able to enjoy an active lifestyle in a healthy outdoor environment. Many employees at Thule Group have a deep environmental engagement and the company itself is involved in a number of environmental initiatives. As a member of the Conservation Alliance in the US, we felt it was a great opportunity to also be involved in EOCA’s environmental work”.
In addition to the members, EOCA has also grown its Scientific Advisory Panel. This panel called upon during each funding round to provide advice to the association on the most worthwhile projects from a conservation point of view. Following the growing number of project applications containing sustainable tourism measures, Dr Kathy Velander, Director of the Centre for Ecotourism and Wildlife Management of Edinburgh Napier University has agreed join the Panel. An expert in many different areas of biodiversity, Kathy has also been involved in the writing of a specific European standard by which to assess the impact of proposed ecotourism plans.
EOCA intends to build on this growth at OutDoor, with lots of activities planned for the show. The Association will launch a new type of membership and host a daily Conservation Fundraiser in its stand in the East Entrance. There will also be a Sandal Sale on the KEEN Footwear stand; a pint mug sale on the Stanley (a brand of PMI) stand, a Smartwool sock vending machine, Scandinavian Sustenance at the Scandinavian bar and the Outdoor Party supported by Polartec and with the sale of Klean Kanteen Pints – all joining in to raise money for EOCA. Tanya Bascombe, Join General Manager of the Association commented, “EOCA is on track to have raised more and spent more on conservation in 2014 than at any time in the last 8 years. It looks like it could be a good year for conservation!”
