During 2016, EOCA will be celebrating all that it has achieved in the ten years since the Association was formed. Celebrations will start at ISPO in Munich this month, with new members joining up, an After Work get together, plus fun and fundraising activities to mark the occasion.

Since the Association was founded, €1.8 million has been raised and spent on conservation. This money has funded conservation projects in 36 different countries around the world, and made a real difference to many landscapes, habitats and local communities. It has been spent on replanting and protecting forests, maintaining trails, removing rubbish, restoring habitats and protecting endangered species that people hope to glimpse sightings of when exploring the outdoors, such as snowleopards, red squirrels, tigers, birds of prey, deer and orangutans.

The €1.8 million has been raised by EOCA members. Currently 126 companies from the European outdoor industry are members of the Association and 100% of their annual membership fees are spent on conservation. Two new members have joined this January to ensure that more money can be put into conservation in the future. EOCA is delighted to welcome Throne, a Swedish outdoor garment supplier and WaterNlife, whose personal, portable water filters are award winning, into EOCA membership.

Further money is raised for conservation through fundraising events held at ISPO and OutDoor each year. And this year is no exception. At ISPO this month, EOCA will have a brand new stand in the West Entrance. All day, everyday, there will be a great range of gear – all generously donated by EOCA members – available in return for a donation for conservation. The Scandinavian Outdoor Group will also be collecting donations for EOCA during their happy hour each evening, 17.00-18.00 hrs at A2.224.

There will be celebrations during the ISPO After Work, hosted by EOCA and KEEN. Everyone is invited on Monday 17.30-20.00hrs in the atrium between A1 and B1. There will be free drinks for early arrivals and food available, plus free Glühwein with the purchase of a Stanley mug. There will a fun atmosphere at the event, with activities such as the LifeStraw Dirty Water Challenge being organised by WaterNLife, and an entertaining photo booth adding to the occasion.

Catherine Savidge, Joint General Manager of EOCA said, “We very much look forward to celebrating the 10 year anniversary of EOCA with members of the Association at ISPO. Together, we have achieved significant conservation successes around the world and we look forward to working with them and our newest members in the future.”

To find out more about the Association please go to: www.outdoorconservation.eu