EOCA – 2019 Projects: Cast your vote for the environment!

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For the 5th year as a media partner of the European Outdoor Conservation Association EOCA, MountainBlog is very happy to host again the autumn EOCA vote for conservation! This will give our readers the chance to help choose which valuable conservation projects EOCA funds this year.

EOCA is a conservation charity which has 150 member companies that pay an annual membership fee which is spent on conservation work around the world.

During July, EOCA was open for applications for funding from organisations looking to implement valuable conservation projects around the world. They received several applications and e have spent their summer reading through all of these applications, assessing them against the EOCA strict guidelines and have produced a shortlist of the projects which best meet the criteria.

Now these projects need your help! From 00.01 (GMT / CET+1) on 7th October to 12.00 noon (GMT/CET+1) on 21st October, MountainBlog Europe gives the possibility to read the details of the shortlisted 5 projects. Please, take a minute to read though them, choose your favourite and click to vote for it – it is that simple!

The project with the most votes will get funding to carry out their work so your vote really can make a difference.

MOUNTAIN & FOREST

 

Project  13:  Reforestation of 10,00 trees, Ecuador
Nominated by: Gregory
Organisation:  Red Forestal Foundation is a sustainable and inclusive reforestation foundation based in Ecuador, which makes use of new communication technologies to conserve biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services and mitigate climate change.  It contributes to the sustainable management, recovery and conservation of biodiversity in the Ecuadorian territory and abroad in acceptance with current laws, regulations and international agreements.
Project Objectives: Red Forestal developed the first mobile application for biodiversity conservation (https://arbola.app), through which donors all over the world can plant native and endemic tree species in a partnership project in Ecuador. It aims to reforest areas of key importance for biodiversity conservation and protection, including the protection of natural habitats of endemic and threatened species. EOCA funding will plant a total of 10,000 trees for the restoration and protection of the habitat of several endemic and threatened species which live in the Buenaventura and Tapichalaca Reserves and are threatened by farming and cattle activities, illegal logging and mining activities. EOCA’s funding will cover the costs for tree nursery set up, the plantation establishment and the first year of maintenance of the trees. The Red Forestal Foundation will cover the second- and third-year maintenance costs and its partner Jocotoco Conservation Foundation, which owns the reserves, will execute the project, working with local communities and providing trails and lodges for hikers to explore the area.
Project Budget:  €48,256
Amount Requested: €19,500
Website:  www.redforestal.org

 

 

Project 31: Conservation of the Maroon fronted parrot, Mexico
Nominated by: Snugpak
Organisation:  Protección de la Fauna Mexicana AC (PROFAUNA)’s goal is aimed at conservation, monitoring and providing guidance on all areas related to natural resources, flora, fauna and the environment in general, through a variety of mechanisms.
Project Objectives: The Sierra de Zapalinamé Natural State Reserve supports over 1,800 species; 32 of which are threatened, in particular the Maroon fronted parrot that is endemic to the region. The reserve has been affected by changes in land use and forest fires, mainly caused by careless visitors, and the parrot’s feeding and nesting areas are also those with highest pressure from climbers, hikers and adventure seekers.  This project will plant out 500 seedlings of the Maroon fronted parrot’s favourite tree species (Gregg’s Pine).  10km of hiking trails will be maintained, installing interpretive signs about the parrot on the most visited trails and campsites.  A management plan for 20 climbing routes will be devised in conjunction with park rangers, tourism providers and climbing clubs, who will also undergo training on the responsible use of natural resources and prevention of fires. There will also be 10 guided school visits, an exhibition and the visitor centre will also educate visitors about preventing fires and not littering.
Project Budget:  €50,997
Amount Requested: €21,178
Website:  www.zapaliname.org

 

 

PROJECT 32:Protecting the Forest Frontier, Cambodia
Nominated by: Icebug
Organisation:  Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment (ELIE) aims to improve the health and welfare of captive elephants in Mondulkiri province, conserve wild elephants’ natural habitat and support local indigenous people who work with them.  This is achieved by running the award winning sanctuary the Elephant Valley Project and many other community and conservation support programmes.
Project Objectives: Cambodia has one of the world’s highest rates of deforestation and biodiversity is declining at a rapid rate. In Cambodia’s Mondulkiri Province, intact forests are the last frontier protecting vulnerable and endangered species, providing one of the last habitats for Asian elephants.  Plantations, mining, and residential and industrial development are the main threats and there is a high incidence of illegal logging and poaching.  The Elephant Valley Project focuses on the conservation of endangered Asian elephants and their habitat, bringing thousands of outdoor enthusiasts to the jungles of Mondulkiri annually to see native and rescued Asian elephants. This project will work with the indigenous Bunong community to demarcate boundaries of their threatened community forest, empowering them to contest illegal land grabs, forest cutting and poaching. Visitors will benefit from higher chances of seeing rare species in the forest, and will set up camera traps and participate in biodiversity monitoring on guided jungle treks. An additional 5 community rangers will boost the current team and undertake patrols in and around the boundaries of the protected area.
Project Budget:  €36,800
Amount Requested: €26,300
Website:  www.elephantvalleyproject.org

 

PROJECT 56: Solving Human Bear Conflict in Vayots Dzor, Armenia
Nominated by: Nikwax
Organisation:  Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) works for wildlife protection, environmental education and sustainable development, engaging rural populations in the sustainable development of their communities.
Project Objectives: The Syrian Brown Bear has been the victim of uncontrolled hunting, trapping and persecution since the break up of the Soviet Union, driving down its numbers as well as populations of many other species. FPWC privately protects about 30,000 hectares of land, creating a buffer zone near Khosrov State Forest Reserve and safe corridors for the passage of wild animals. Additionally, FPWC, in cooperation with International Animal Rescue, started the country’s first Animal Rescue Centre, rehabilitating and releasing rescued captive bears back into the wild. The population is now growing, however so too are cases of human-bear conflict as bears stray onto private land.  The project will restore habitat destroyed by illegal logging and forest fires, plant native fruit seedlings outside conflict zones to keep bears away from areas of habitation, investigate conflict cases, map conflict zones and install mobile electric fences in the most vulnerable places, run anti poaching / logging patrols, raising awareness by encouraging hiking, biking and wildlife watching activities as well as visits to the Animal Rescue Centre.
Project Budget:  €38,400
Amount Requested:  €27,900
Website:  www.fpwc.org


 

PROJECT 59: Protect the Clouded Leopard, Nepal
Nominated by: Lowe Alpine
Organisation:  Friends of Nature (FON) enhances socio-cultural and environmental conditions through applied research, advocacy and model project interventions.
Project Objectives: Extending from 1400-3500 meters, the Lower Annapurna Conservation Area provides refuge to over 30 species of mammal including the globally threatened clouded leopard. The area is inhabited by more than 800 households, the majority of whom depend heavily on this forest for harvesting timber, fuel-wood, medicinal plants, livestock herding, and illegal hunting for bush meat. This has led to forest degradation, human-wildlife conflicts, retaliatory killings and forest fires. The project will collaborate with local stakeholders to diversify livelihood options (nature guiding, homestay management, clouded leopard envoys, identifying and upgrading eco-tourism sites, upgrading and restoring trekking trails), and reduce human-wildlife conflict (training, predator deterrent kits, fox lights) in order to address the threats to clouded leopard. Working with seven schools, two Conservation Area Management Committees and 4000 local people, EOCA funding will also be used to produce a clouded leopard illustrated booklet, carry out clouded leopard day celebration, capacity building of locals and habitat patrolling to remove snares.
Project Budget: €39,740
Amount Requested: €30,000
Website: www.fonnepal.org

 

EOCA Celebrates a Record Number of New Members, Supporting Conservation Together

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The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) has been delighted to welcome 23 new companies into membership already during 2019 – more than in any other single year in the history of the association. This brings the total number members to 150 and will make a significant difference to the number of hands-on conservation projects the association can support. (more…)

Single – Use Plastic Waste Reduction Success
at OutDoor by ISPO

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The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) was delighted to see the effects of the launch of its Plastic Pledge during the recent 4 day OutDoor by ISPO trade show in Munich and the reduction in single-use plastic waste it led to. (more…)

EOCA plastic pledge at OutDoor by ISPO.
Interview with Tanya Bascombe

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In an exciting step forwards in the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA)’s new focus on tackling plastic pollution, the association has asked exhibitors at this summer’s OutDoor by ISPO to sign up to a pledge to reduce the amount of single-use plastic on their stands at the show. Watch the video interview with Tanya Bascombe.

(more…)

Eight New Members and Partners for EOCA

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The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is delighted to welcome 7 new members and a trade partner, all committed to conserving the great outdoors. All 8 have signed up to the association since the ISPO show in February, a number specifically joining to support the work of EOCA in tackling Plastic Pollution.

The new members to sign up are Sunday Afternoons – creating hats for every outdoor adventure; World of Camping – one of the largest independent online retailers for the camping, caravan and motorhome fraternity; Regatta– making and selling items to enable everyone to get outdoors and have adventures. Within a 24 hours period, Elements – an agent and distributor for a number of responsible outdoor brands in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France; Kahtoola – makers of gear for use with flexible footwear, including MICROspikes®, NANOspikes®, hiking crampons, and innovative running and hiking gaiters; icebreaker– Provider of natural performance alternatives to plastic-based apparel all signed up. E9 – manufacturers of climbing clothing and Accessories, got in touch about signing the EOCA Plastic Pledge and then decided to also become full members of EOCA. In addition, Afydad, the Spanish Sport Association has signed up as a trade partner, thus committing to raise awareness of and commitment to EOCA and conservation of outdoor environments. (more…)

EOCA Conservation Funding Reaches €3 million

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volunteers cleanup the holy lake Gurudongmar

 

This March thousands of outdoor enthusiasts joined European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), and it’s members, to participate in it’s annual spring public vote. As a result of the public vote and also the members private vote, six new conservation projects have been selected for EOCA to support. With almost €150,000 being pledged to these six projects, this also marks a new milestone in the history of EOCA – the funding of €3 million in vital conservation projects around the world!

During this spring vote, 43,637 votes were cast resulting in the selection of three new conservation projects for EOCA, and it’s members to support. In addition, EOCA’s members voted to select a further three projects. For this funding round only, all six of these projects will tackle EOCA’s ambitious new focus targeting plastic pollution – to collectively clear 3000km of habitat, trail and beach of plastic waste and pollution over the next two years.  That is the distance from the Mediterranean coast to Lapland! EOCA is making a great start to this target by supporting almost 1000km through these six projects.

As well as addressing current plastic issues and their threat to a habitat, landscape or species, each of these six projects will also have a link to outdoor enthusiasts, work with and benefit local communities, involve an educational element, and leave a legacy. All funds are raised by membership fees and fundraising monies coming from the European Outdoor Industry. EOCA holds two funding rounds per year, with the second round taking place in autumn. (more…)

EOCA leads the industry with plastic pledge
for trade shows

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In an exciting step forwards in the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA)’s new focus on tackling plastic pollution, the association has asked exhibitors at this summer’s OutDoor by ISPO trade show to sign up to a pledge to reduce the amount of single-use plastic on their stands at the show. The association is delighted with the reaction, with 26 exhibitors having already signed up to the Plastic Pledge.

Following the launch in January of the association’s Plastic Free: Mountain to Sea campaign, EOCA is working with its members in the European outdoor industry to clean up plastic waste already causing harm in habitats from the summits of mountains to the shores of the seas, whilst also reducing their use of everyday single-use plastics.  This will be in conjunction with educating and inspiring outdoor enthusiasts to get involved to combat the issues.

EOCA launched its Plastic Pledge three weeks ago, to reduce single-use plastic waste at trade shows – specifically starting with OutDoor by ISPO at the end of June. The pledge includes the commitment to provide a source of drinking water on stands to refill reusable bottles and cups, encouraging employees to bring their own reusable mugs or bottles from home to use during and after the show, and not providing any single-use plastic bottled drinks during the show. EOCA is encouraging as many of its members to sign up to the pledge as a first step to making trade shows more sustainable. Non-members of EOCA are also invited to sign the pledge, to help reduce plastic waste production. (more…)

EOCA Becomes an Ally of the
Natural Climate Solutions Initiative

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EOCA is delighted to become an ally of the Natural Climate Solutions initiative, so joining forces with George Monbiot, Greta Thunberg, the Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation and many others, to recognise, call for and enable the restoration of ecosystems to prevent climate breakdown.

The aim of the initiative is to prevent climate breakdown by restoring our life support systems.
This is an initiative of George Monbiot, writer, journalist and environmental campaigner, together with Charlie Latimer, Pat Stirling and Al Boardman – all passionate about the environment and the great outdoors. (more…)

New public fundraiser for EOCA:
donate to reduce single use plastic

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As part of its newly-launched focus on plastic clean-up, the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) has launched a public fundraiser to raise money to help reduce single use plastic. The project, part of Surfrider Foundation Europe’s ‘Ocean Initiatives’ programme will work to raise awareness and educate thousands of people through waste collection and clean-up events.

Plastic pollution is found in mountains, around crags, in rivers and lakes, forests, coastlines and oceans, impacting disastrously on wildlife and blighting every type of habitat and landscape enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts.  It is estimated that 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million seabirds are killed every year through entanglement or by ingesting plastic litter.

As an organisation raising money to look after the health and well-being of the planet, EOCA is committed to playing its part in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.  SDG 14 (Life Below Water) is one of those highlighted by EOCA as of utmost of relevance to its own vision and new focus as it aims to “prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution”.

With this in mind, EOCA will work with its members and the European outdoor industry to reduce their use of everyday single use plastics, whist also raising awareness through the organisation of clean ups to educate people on how to stop plastic waste from getting into wild habitats from the summits of mountains to the depths of the oceans. The headline target is that EOCA and its members will collectively clear 3000km of habitat, trail and beach of plastic waste and pollution over the next 2 years.  That is the distance from the Mediterranean coast to Lapland! Whilst EOCA’s public vote is now underway to select its first conservation projects for 2019, the association has also launched this public fundraiser to raise further money for and get involved in another vital project.

Since starting in 1990, Surfrider Foundation Europe has placed the problem of marine litter at the heart of its mission. The overall objectives of its ‘Ocean Initiatives’ programme, which has been running for almost 25 years, are to limit new waste generation, promote a circular economy for 100% of generated waste and limit the impact of existing waste in the environment. EOCA funding will help organise at least 1600 public clean-up events, expanding into new areas such as in-ocean cleans, mobilising 60,000 people in 47 countries, and educating 100,000 people. Data on the number and type of collected items from 1195km of beaches, lakes, rivers and seabeds all over the world will fuel scientific research and underpin lobbying of the EU for stricter targets on the reduction of waste and pollution entering our oceans.

EOCA is calling on individuals and companies to donate via their website to fund this ambitious project. Every €10 donated via EOCA will help fund an area of 50 metres squared – the area of two olympic size swimming pools!– of clean-ups. Please see the donate button on www.outdoorconservation.eu or www.eoca.de . There is also the option to go onto www.oceaninitiatives.org to find a clean up event to get involved in.

INFO: European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA)

EOCA Spring Public Vote Underway

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The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) has launched the first of its two annual public online votes to help it choose which conservation projects to support, and will to midday (GMT+1) on 11th April.

To launch its new Plastic Free: Mountain to Sea focus, this funding round only highlights projects which tackle plastic pollution – involving mass clean up events, education and campaigns to change people’s behaviours and attitudes to plastic waste.

Plastic pollution is found in mountains, around crags, along and in rivers and lakes, forests and coastlines impacting disastrously on wildlife and blighting every type of habitat and landscape enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts. Much of the plastic waste will find its way to lakes and rivers and ultimately end up in the oceans.  100,000 marine mammals and 1 million seabirds are killed every year through entanglement or by ingesting plastic litter. Tackling the problems presented by plastic waste already in the environment AND reducing the amount of waste that gets there in the future are both vitally important.

 

This year there are 14 projects working in 16 different countries all looking for funding.  All have been through the rigorous EOCA selection criteria overseen by its Scientific Advisors, and are all worthy of support.  The projects have been divided into 3 categories:  Nature (projects focused on protecting and/or restoring habitats), Ocean (projects restoring beaches, coastlines, and ocean habitats) and Mountain (conservation of high altitude habitats).  As always, projects all address a threat to the habitat, engage and benefit local communities, and have a link and relevance to outdoor enthusiasts.  EOCA is asking for people to vote once in each category and the project with the highest number of votes per category will receive the funding they requested. The winners will be announced soon after the 11th April on EOCA’s social media pages. Following the public vote, a private vote for EOCA members will be held to choose further projects to fund.

To see which projects are looking for funding and to get involved in the vote, please follow this link here.

INFO: European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA)