Since launching the Legacy Fund Campaign in January 2008, The Conservation Alliance has raised $2.72 million in contributions and commitments. New gifts from KEEN, Inc., CamelBak, Leisure Trends, Stanley Outdoors, and several individuals have moved the total closer to the $3.5-million goal.

The Conservation Alliance Legacy fund is an endowment that, once fully funded, will provide a permanent source of operational funding for the organization. The Alliance launched the campaign in January 2008 with initial commitments from The North Face, REI, Merrell, Dansko, Patagonia, CamelBak, and former board president Menno van Wyk. The Legacy Fund now holds contributions from 34 companies and individuals.

"Our members are rising to a steep challenge because they want The Conservation Alliance to be a permanent force in the outdoor industry," said John Sterling, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance.

Though the economic crisis has made that challenge steeper, the Alliance plans to conclude a successful endowment campaign in August 2009.

"We're still hoping to reach our $3.5-million goal by reminding people that, despite the sputtering economy, the political landscape for conservation has never been this good," said Sterling. "Now is the time to invest in conservation."

For more information on The Conservation Alliance Legacy Fund, see www.conservationalliance.com/legacy.

Nine outdoor industry companies have joined The Conservation Alliance since the August OR Show. With a steady increase in membership, the Alliance now boasts 165 companies.

The new members are:  Nester Hosiery, Inc.; Adventurecorps, Inc.; Ultrarunning Magazine; Terri Schneider; Cosmic Planet; Leisure Trends; Outdoor Sports Marketing of SC, Inc.; Outdoor Industry Jobs;  and Justin Bailie Photography.

Each company joins at a time when the Conservation Alliance is focused on recruiting as many industry companies as possible. Each member company pays annual dues into a central fund, and the Alliance donates those funds to grassroots conservation organizations. The Alliance plans to donate $900,000 in 2009.

At the same time, the political landscape for conservation has rarely - if ever - been as bright as it is today. With a conservationist in the White House, and solid pro-conservation majorities in both houses of Congress, opportunities for conservation in the US are many.

"The grants we make over the next two years will be seeds planted in fertile political ground," said John Sterling, Conservation Alliance Executive Director. "Our new and existing members will help save some very important wild places in the near future."

Building on a partnership launched in 2005, KEEN Footwear has matched the first year's dues of the new member companies. With these new additions, KEEN has thus far matched $421,100 in new member dues since June, 2005.

New members include from the manufacturers, publications, freelance photographers, mills, sales representatives, creative agencies, and other industry vendors.

"Our community of conservation-minded companies continues to grow," said Sterling. "Together, we will save the wild places so important to outdoor customers."