In 2016, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) helped to launch the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund (ATCF) alongside other founding members REI, Eagle Creek, ExOfficio, and Uncruise. A key fundraising effort that enables the ATCF to protect wild places is the annual ATCF auction, where consumers bid on donated trips and travel-related items from members of the adventure travel industry. 100% of the proceeds support the ATCF in funding conservation projects around the world, including recent examples highlighted below.
Last year the auction doubled from the year before, bringing in more than $60,000. The ATCF hopes to repeat that effort in 2024. Members of the adventure travel community can donate trips, airline tickets, lodging, gear, and even photography courses to support the ATCF. The ATCF is now accepting donations through 15 August.
The Lasting Impact of ATCF Grants
The annual ATCF auction is critical in supporting the funding of a wide range of conservation projects across the globe. In 2023, five organizations each received a grant for $15,000. They have been hard at work implementing that funding and recently checked in to share updates on their projects.
Reef World Foundation
The Reef World Foundation has made significant strides in protecting coral reefs in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic through their project, Empowering Youth to Safeguard Coral Reefs in Bayahibe. This initiative aims to inspire and empower students to actively participate in conservation efforts, laying the groundwork for fostering environmental stewardship among the youth. Recent work has included conducting Green Fins assessments with local dive operators in the Dominican Republic and providing environmental training for staff. As the school year comes to an end, the foundation also plans to engage with four selected schools in early September, integrating the Youth Eco Champions Program into their curricula or extracurricular activities.
The Colombia Project
The Colombia Project is transforming the economy of Colombia’s Mataven Jungle through community tourism. Following an initial familiarization trip in April with five national tourism agencies, the project has identified key areas for enhancement and has scheduled a follow up trip in August, which will focus on gastronomy improvements with renowned chef Carlos Cardenas, birdwatching training with expert Cesar Arredondo, and hospitality enhancements with insights from Juan Pablo Bueno. Additionally, Meseta Films will return to train the community communications team in creating mobile-friendly content. The project has also made significant strides in marketing and commercialization, successfully introducing the destination to national agencies and planning familiarization trips with international agencies.
Conservation Travel Foundation
In the Kunene Region of North West Namibia, the Conservation Travel Foundation has made significant headway in protecting the living landscape in the Doro Inawas, Sorris Sorris, and Uibasen Conservancies. This quarter saw the rehabilitation of two waterholes, the repair and upgrade of road networks, and the installation of new signs. The next steps involve working with conservancies to start Rhino Ranger training, expanding patrols, and continuing with road maintenance.
Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (CRCI) in Zimbabwe
The Community Rhino Conservation Initiative has been working in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park to identify priorities for developing a third community rhino sanctuary through extensive community surveys and collaboratively working to bridge the economic gap between conservation and community well-being. These surveys highlighted the need to demonstrate by example; as a result, more than 100 villagers traveled to Rhino Sanctuary 1, where the benefits of conservation are evident, and they could hear directly from the local people. The establishment of the third sanctuary will require significant investment in infrastructure, including new wildlife-proof fencing, a scouts' camp, and water wells. Meanwhile, permits to bring rhinos from the Malilangwe Trust to the second community rhino sanctuary at Mlevu have been approved, with plans for translocation in September 2024. The initiative has also garnered increased interest from National Parks, opening up more land for rhino conservation.
Conservation Through Public Health
In Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) has been working to protect both people and mountain gorillas through health education. Following a user needs assessment to identify 80 representative households, the team conducted surveys to assess household knowledge and information needs. Despite existing initiatives aimed at improving health and wellbeing, there is still a need to support increased understanding of zoonotic diseases and household health improvements. The next steps include developing standardized Social Behavior Change (SBC) tools and materials, preparing draft/prototype IEC materials, and conducting pretests to create room for necessary revisions.
Donate to the ATCF Auction
The Adventure Travel Conservation Fund's annual Travel Conservation Auction is set to run from 27 September to 16 October 2024. This event, the organization's largest fundraiser, seeks to exceed last year's impressive $60,000 total, aiming for $100,000 in support of critical conservation projects for grantees in 2025.
Items such as travel packages, airline tickets, accommodation, gear, and photography courses are generously donated by the adventure travel community. The auction not only contributes to the support of essential conservation efforts but also provides a platform for showcasing products and brands to a global audience of adventure travel enthusiasts and outdoor retailers. Hosted online, the event will receive widespread promotion through various media outlets, including the Adventure Travel Trade Association.
Additionally, new ATCF members who contribute items valued over $5,000 will be rewarded with a complimentary one-year base membership. These donations play a vital role in advancing conservation initiatives worldwide, making participation in the auction a significant and impactful opportunity.
About the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund
ATCF is a member-based, non-profit organization that promotes wildlife and cultural preservation in adventure destinations around the world through small, high-impact grants and other strategies. They were recently named non-profit of the month by Wanderful and have awarded almost $600,000 in grant funding to 39 conservation projects. The ATTA helped to launch the ATCF in 2016 and is a proud member alongside over 100 other adventure and outdoor organizations including MiiR, Eagle Creek, REI Adventures, Backroads, North Face, Toad & Co, Grayl, Natural Habitat Adventures and more. To learn more about ATCF and get involved, visit https://adventuretravelconservationfund.org/.