Conservation Alliance grantee Oregon Natural Desert Association announced that Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkely introduced legislation yesterday to protect two new Wilderness areas in the John Day River Basin. The Cathedral Rock (photo above) and Horse Heaven Wilderness areas together comprise 18,000 acres of public land adjacent to or near the Wild and Scenic John Day River. The legislation would transfer important riverfront property into public hands, increasing access to this special river. The Alliance supported this campaign with a $30,000 grant in July, 2009.

Click here for the full story.

A United Nations report has recommended a moratorium on mining in the Flathead River Valley, which adjoins Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park! The report also recommends development of a comprehensive transboundary conservation and wildlife management plan for the area. Sierra Club BC and 10 other U.S. and Canadian groups petitioned the UN's World Heritage Committee last year, asking that Waterton-Glacier be declared a World Heritage Site in Danger due to energy and mining threats in the Flathead River Valley.  Sierra Club BC--along with our partner organization Wildsight--presented to a World Heritage Committee mission in September. We told the mission that the southeastern one-third of the Flathead must be protected as a National Park in order to preserve the ecological integrity of Waterton-Glacier, and that a Wildlife Management Area must be established in the rest of the valley and adjoining habitat.  See the Calgary Herald story. The story has also been covered... Read More

For the last two years, WELC has prioritized the protection of wildlife corridors in order to address the catastrophic effects that climate change will have on the West's water and vegetation, in turn forcing wildlife to move in order to survive. At the heart of our work is fundamentally shifting how wildlife protection is viewed in decision-making processes to ensure that wildlife corridors are considered early in the process, before it is too late.  With the support of the Conservation Alliance we have achieved much success and are working to advance protection of wildlife migration corridors at the federal, state, and local levels.For example, with our partners, the Center for Large Landscape Conservation (the Center), WELC is working to administratively designate wildlife corridors on both Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands to increase protections and set the stage for federal administrative action by the Departments of Energy, Interior, and Agriculture.Following... Read More

For the last two years, WELC has prioritized the protection of wildlife corridors in order to address the catastrophic effects that climate change will have on the West's water and vegetation, in turn forcing wildlife to move in order to survive. At the heart of our work is fundamentally shifting how wildlife protection is viewed in decision-making processes to ensure that wildlife corridors are considered early in the process, before it is too late.  With the support of the Conservation Alliance we have achieved much success and are working to advance protection of wildlife migration corridors at the federal, state, and local levels.For example, with our partners, the Center for Large Landscape Conservation (the Center), WELC is working to administratively designate wildlife corridors on both Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands to increase protections and set the stage for federal administrative action by the Departments of Energy, Interior, and Agriculture.Following... Read More

Looking for a new pair of kicks to get muddy on the trail? How about a new water bottle or hydration pack to quench your thirst? Our member companies are offering screaming deals at Outdoor Retailer this week to benefit The Conservation Alliance. Below is a comprehensive list of the brands, the booths and the sweet schwag that will be up for grabs at the show. So, take a quick break from your meetings and boogie on over to one of the booths below and support great work of The Conservation Alliance and our grantees. After all, we're protecting your playground!

Columbia, Booth #28001
Product: Ravenice, Men's and Women's.
Donation: 100% to The Conservation Alliance
Price: $40, MSRP $115
Hours: Happy Hour, Thursday, January 21, 4:30-6pm

Montrail, Booth #26001
Product: Sabino Trail Shoe
Price: $35, MSRP $100
Donation: proceeds will be split between The Conservation Alliance and Conservation Alliance grantee The Wilderness Support Center
Hours: Friday, January 22, 4-6pm

Brooks, Booth # 36123
Product: Brooks Cascadia 5.
Price: $50, MSRP $100
Donation: 100% to The Conservation Alliance
Hours: Thursday, January 21 - Friday, January 22, 11am-6pm each day

Ruff Wear, Booth # 33061
Product: Ruff Wear Sqwash dog toy
Price: $5, MSRP $9.99
Donation: 100% to The Conservation Alliance
Hours: available throughout the show

Stanley, Booth #21017
Product: Stanley eCycle Exchange Recycled & Recyclable mug and bottle. Two limited Edition Nineteen 13 Flasks for Auction
Price: $10 for bottle/mug. Silent Auction for Flask
Donation: 100% to The Conservation Alliance
Hours: Runs through the show and at Open Air Demo

Timex, Booth # 35125
Product: WS4 Watch
Price: $50, MSRP $200
Donation: 50% of revenue will go directly to The Conservation Alliance. IF all 300 watches are sold, Timex will provide an additional donation to a Conservation Alliance grantee.
Hours: Friday, January 22nd, 3-5pm.
Additional notes: limited quantity available

CamelBak, Booth # 15027
Product: SnoBlast Pack, limited edition - embroidered with The Conservation Alliance logo!
Price: $30, MSRP $79.99
Donation: 100% to The Conservation Alliance
Hours: available throughout the show,

Dansko, Booth #18027
Product: Dansko Shoes for Women and Men
Price: $75, MSRP $120-140
Donation: $10 of each shoe sale will be donated to The Conservation Alliance
Hours: available throughout the show

NEMO, Booth #1011
Product: Ditto Tote, made of repurposed NEMO tent samples and manufacturing seconds.
Price: $15, MSRP $19.95
Donation: 100% of the proceeds will benefit The Conservation Alliance
Hours: Available throughout the show

Osprey, Booth #8027
Product: Osprey Raptor 6 Hydration Pack
Price: $30, MSRP $79
Donation: 100% of the proceeds will benefit The Conservation Alliance
Hours: Thursday, January 21, 3-6pm

Black Diamond, Booth #5027
Product: Ion Headlamp
Price: $10, MSRP $19.95
Donation: 100% will benefit The Conservation Alliance
Hours: available throughout the show

Eagle Creek, Booth #22027
Product: ES Cargo Duffle, medium size. The perfect bag for hauling gear through the rainforests of Borneo or valuable schwag home from OR.
Price: $25, MSRP $75
Donation: 100% will benefit The Conservation Alliance
Hours: available throughout the show

Canada Goose, Booth # 5045
Product: Merino Wool Beanie
Price: $20, MSRP $50
Donation: 100% to The Conservation Alliance
Hours: Thursday, January 21, 2 - 4pm

Grabber, Inc., Booth #132
Product: 20-pack Hand Warmers or 8-pair Toe Warmers
Price: $5, MSRP: $10 Hand / $15 Toe
Donation: 100% to The Conservation Alliance
Hours: All Day January 23-24, 2010

Horny Toad, Booth #30051
Product: Men's and Women's Cashmoore fleece styles
Price: $20-$40, MSRP $76-$110
Donation: 10% of the proceeds to The Conservation Alliance
Hours: available throughout the show

Save the Date, Save the Desert! Here is the clearing-house for all of ONDA's 2010 scheduled Volunteer Trips and Events.  The majority of trips are finalized in February, however new opportunities often arise throughout the year: To keep up-to-date on opportunities with ONDA make sure you are receiving SAGEnet email updates from ONDA, and check www.onda.org regularly. Additional information and registration links are available here.... Read More

Here at The Conservation Alliance we're getting excited for next week's Outdoor Retailer, so we decided to put together a list of all of the great events we have going on next week. Whether you're looking for some wild inspiration, a rockin' party or some sweet gear that benefits a great cause - we have a packed line-up.

And make sure to check back as we'll be updating our blog during the show - featuring words and photos from the day and spotlighting our member companies who are stepping it up at Winter OR. And make sure to follow us on Twitter at @conservationall!

All right folks, click this link, grab your calendars and mark it up for The Conservation Alliance!

The Conservation Alliance is so excited about James Balog's presentation at the upcoming Conservation Alliance Breakfast that we wanted to give you a sneak peek at what to expect. The Breakfast is Friday, January 22, 7-8:50 AM at The Marriott in Salt Lake City. We hope to see those of you who will be in town for the Outdoor Retailer show!