The Wilderness Land Trust to Receive Funding from 1% For The Planet Business Alliance

The Wilderness Land Trust announced today that it has been approved to receive donations from “1% for the Planet,” an alliance of businesses that are financially committed to creating a healthy planet.

 

The Trust, a nonprofit organization, shares that goal. Its mission is to acquire private lands in current and proposed wilderness areas from willing sellers and to transfer them to public ownership for permanent protection. Since it was founded in 1992, the Trust has preserved more than 31,203 acres of wilderness in 76 areas in the Western United States.

 

The business alliance derives its name from its members’ commitment to donate 1 percent of their sales to environmental nonprofits. To be selected as recipients, organizations must demonstrate clear objectives and a track record of effective environmental initiatives.

 

“The Wilderness Land Trust is honored to be chosen as a recipient of 1% for the Planet funding,” said Reid Haughey, president of the organization. “We’re grateful for new support that will help increase our capacity to protect wilderness.”

 

The Trust’s goals for 2010 include buying properties from willing sellers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Washington. Purchases are prioritized by vulnerability to development and their capacity to complete a wilderness area.

 

“We have much to accomplish by 2014, the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Wilderness Act,” Haughey said. “To continue our success and even increase the amount of land we are protecting, we have created a revolving land acquisition fund. In the next few years, we hope to raise more than $3 million for this fund, which will allow us to move

quickly when priority parcels of land become available.”

 

Since its inception in 2002, the 1% alliance has initiated more than $50 million in environmental giving. The member companies contribute 1 percent of their sales directly to the eligible nonprofit of their choice, with the Vermont-based alliance certifying the donation.

 

At present, there are 1,152 member companies in 38 countries. A quick search of members on www.1percentfortheplanet.org reveals four in Carbondale, CO, home of the Trust’s executive offices: 5Point Film Festival, Heidi Hat, Mountain Sun Adventures, and Tyler Stableford Photography.

 

High-profile company members include Patagonia, Clif Bar, Sony Electronics (for VAIO Eco Edition notebook sales), Fiji water, Kleen Kanteen and Sterling Vineyards.

 

History of 1% for the Planet:

 

Two passionate environmentalists – Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies – created the alliance. Both believed it was good business to protect the natural resources that kept them in business, so in 2001 they hatched a plan to encourage more businesses to donate 1 percent of their sales to environmental groups. Chouinard wanted to call it an “Earth Tax,” Mathews proposed the name they eventually chose.

 

The two men staged a launch event at a Patagonia store in New York in 2002, and the alliance has been growing ever since. More than 400 companies joined in 2009, and giving increased 30 percent over 2008.

 

 “1% goes into 2010 fueled by the momentum of these member companies and the work their giving enables,” according to group’s website. “Together we are well-positioned to change the face of giving and decisively influence the health of the planet in the year ahead.”

 

The Wilderness Land Trust shares an optimistic outlook for the 2010s.

 

“We have matured into a seasoned, professional, can-do organization,” Haughey said. “We’re getting attention as a leader in managing complex transactions that result in greater protection of our wilderness areas. We look forward to increasing wilderness acreage for generations of visitors to enjoy.”

 

Contact:  Carolyn Chamberlain, Director of Development

               916.995.1867 or carolyn@wildernesslandtrust.org

For more information about the Trust or to make an easy, secure donation, visit www.wildernesslandtrust.org.