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.
EOCA plastic pledge at OutDoor by ISPO.
Interview with Tanya Bascombe
Eight New Members and Partners for EOCA
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
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
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
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
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.
EOCA Spring Public Vote Underway
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)
Eoca Plastic Free – Mountain to Sea at ISPO 2019
At ISPO 2019, Tanya Bascombe and Catherine Savidge (General Managers) present the latest news and projects by EOCA.
Interview: Jessica Ceotto
Filming and editing: Andrea Monticelli and Mirko Sotgiu
INFO: EOCA
La Sportiva’s Black Friday Sales Turn Green
For the second year in a row, Italian technical footwear, clothing and accessories brand La Sportiva has used its sales during the ‘Black Friday’ weekend to support nature conservation. By donating 20% of the weekend’s income to the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), La Sportiva has been able to boost the funds available to the Association’s conservation projects. (more…)
EOCA’s Autumn Conservation Vote Brings Total 2018 Funding To Over €330,000
Following a public vote which reached millions, and a members’ only vote, the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is delighted to announce the 5 projects selected to receive funding this autumn. This brings the total number of projects to receive funding from the Association and its members during 2018 to 14, in 12 different countries.
During June, EOCA received 85 applications for funding from non-profit organisations around the world. All of these applications were scrutinized and assessed against a well-established list of criteria for EOCA funding. A shortlist was drawn up of the projects most exactly meeting the requirements of the Association, which include the need to address a threat to a habitat, landscape or species, have a link to outdoor enthusiasts, work with and benefit local communities, involve an educational element and leave a legacy. This shortlist was reviewed by the Association’s panel of Scientific Advisors, all experts in a different area of conservation who kindly fulfill this role voluntarily. Each and every project in the shortlist is vitally important and EOCA would be happy to fund any of them. Sadly, the funding is not available to fund them all and so
the final list of projects to receive funding is selected through 2 votes. An online public vote was held, in conjunction with Mountain Blog to select 3 projects for funding, followed by a vote of the members only to select a further 2.
During the public vote, 26,000 votes were cast supporting the projects, and the combined reach of this vote and a similar vote during the spring has conservatively been calculated at over 48 million people. A number of well known celebrities and leading naturalists got involved in the vote this autumn. One project received a hand written letter from Sir David Attenborough supporting their project and wishing them luck. Chris Packham, Sir Chris Bonnington, Julia Bradbury and George Monbiot all got involved in the UK supporting the vote and calling for people to get involved.
Involvement in the vote brings many benefits to all of the projects in that it increases awareness and support of their projects on an international platform.
Catherine Savidge, Joint General Manager of EOCA said “As results were announced, EOCA was thrilled to see one of the projects and the Association itself being discussed in the Scottish Parliament, where EOCA was described as a ‘A Major European Funding Award’. You can watch a very short clip we have taken of the much larger discussion HERE.*”
The vote brings the total amount of money put into conservation bodies by EOCA and its members, including its Summit Members during 2018 to over €333,000. This is funding 14 projects across the world, 9 of which are in Europe.
The projects selected during the autumn votes are:
Mending Paths and Protecting Arctic-Alpine Habitat on Carn Liath, Scotland
Nominated by: Montane
Beinn a’Ghlo in the Cairngorms has an arctic-alpine mountain environment with tundra like characteristics and long-lasting snow patches. These characteristics combined with the steep hillsides, friable soil and fragile vegetation cover makes this upland area particularly susceptible to erosion from even a relatively small number of users. Beinn a’Ghlo has been designated as a Site of Specific Scientific Interest, recognising the importance of the area for conservation and wildlife. As well as the species-rich nardus grasslands, petrifying springs, alpine and boreal heaths and European dry heaths to be found, it is also home to several species of upland ground nesting birds, five of which are endangered, including the curlew, whose breeding population in the UK has declined by 62% in recent years. The increase in the popularity of hillwalking has led to informal paths developing, causing the destruction of wildlife habitats, particularly in upland areas. Carn Liath on Beinn a’Ghlo is a priority due to the extent of existing and potential for more, significant damage and requires a major path repair with light-touch techniques in some of the lower sections and a fully built path higher up the hillside, combatting erosion and encouraging re-vegetation.
Obsolete Facilities, Alps
Nominated by: Marmot
Obsolete facilities are disused artificial equipment abandoned in natural mountain areas. These lengths of barbed wire, abandoned ski lifts or various cables are a real plague for wilderness, environment and outdoor enthusiasts in mountains. Until recently, there was no obligation to remove these old structures, even though they represented a great danger to humans and wildlife. Paragliders have recently been killed after hitting cables. Birds, including vultures, eagles and owls are regularly killed or injured by cables and other facilities – 835 carcasses were found between 2000 and 2004 in one study. Mammals, and amphibians are also trapped in these items and either injured or killed, particularly in winter when the structures are hidden by snow. This project, will continue the work of Mountain Wilderness, to raise awareness of the issue with local authorities, outdoor enthusiasts and online, and carry out 4 dismantling operations in Mercantour National Park, Vanoise National Park, Mont Cenis Massif and Cerces Massif, where barbed wires and other scrap remains from WW2. In total, it is anticipated that over 100 people will be involved in clearing over 260 ha of 9 tonnes of metal.
Repairing Paths and Protecting Peat Bog on Cut Gate, UK
Nominated by: Pro Agencies
The Cut Gate bridleway runs through an area of internationally important and stunningly beautiful blanket bog habitat in the Peak District National Park. The bridleway is popular with walkers, mountain-bikers and horse riders who have championed a campaign to protect Cut Gate. The fragile peat layer has suffered from erosion and the widening of the route, which is putting pressure on the surrounding habitat of blanket bog vegetation. The project will repair three sections of the popular upland bridleway which have become highly eroded and prone to flooding. The waterlogged surface results in users taking a wider route, further damaging the surrounding blanket bog habitat, vegetation and peat. The bridleway will be sensitively repaired using local stone, encouraging users to follow the path to prevent further damage to the surrounding habitat, while still preserving the character of the surrounding landscape and the enjoyment of the route.
The Reds Return: Securing the Future of the Red Squirrel, Scotland
Nominated by: Mountain Equipment
The red squirrel is the most beloved mammal in the UK and an iconic species of Caledonian pinewoods. Scotland is the last real UK stronghold for reds and this project aims to strengthen the conservation status of UK’s red squirrels by establishing new, self-sustaining populations in areas of the Highlands free from the threats of grey squirrels and disease. Trees for Life has been involved in pioneering this translocation technique and early efforts have successfully established new flourishing red squirrel populations in a small number of Scottish locations. The project has identified several forest areas in the Northern Highlands of Scotland which are perfect habitats for reds but which they can’t reach on their own due to the large areas of open ground in between the forests and their current range. With the support of landowners, relevant authorities and local communities, they will re-introduce 4 new populations of red squirrels to these areas and inspire people to care for them through community events, annual surveys and citizen science observations.
Restoring the Wetlands of the Cambodian Lower Mekong Delta
Nominated by: Bergans
Cambodia’s wetlands are some of the world’s most valuable ecosystems, supporting a wealth of endangered bird, fish and plant species and providing a vital source of food and income for vulnerable rural communities. But in just 15 years, half of Cambodia’s wetlands have disappeared. This project will restore two globally important protected areas in the Lower Mekong Delta, which support half the regional population of the Sarus Crane – the world’s tallest flying bird and an iconic flagship species of open wetlands. Agricultural encroachment, invasive species and the overharvesting of wetland esources have led to a dramatic decline in the Sarus Crane population, and without urgent action to restore its habitat, the regional population will be lost forever. The project will restore 200 hectares of degraded habitat by working with local communities to clear invasive species, and will educate 1000 local people and schoolchildren on the importance of wetlands and the sustainable use of natural resources. The project will also provide training and support to a community ecotourism initiative, enabling it to provide inspiring outdoor experiences for a growing number of visitors and increase income by 25%, generating muchneeded funds for community development and wetland conservation.
INFO: EOCA
