ConservationNext, a program of The Conservation Alliance, will organize its next Backyard Collective on Friday, May 21 at the Elfin Forest Recreation Area in Escondido, CA. After successful events this year in Central and Northern California, ConservationNext is excited to head to San Diego to bring the area’s outdoor industry employees, volunteers and Conservation Alliance grantees together for a hands-on stewardship event.

In spring 2009, Nikwax underwrote the first Nikwax Alpine Bellwether Grant (NABG), in association with the American Alpine Club (AAC). The 2009 grantees conducted valuable research in the study of climate change in alpine environments. For 2010, Nikwax has increased the grant money and divided it among three deserving scientists and explorers.

Nikwax is sending a supply of cleaning and waterproofing products to the “Tents for Haiti” Eagle Scout project. Based in Fort Collins, CO., “Tents for Haiti” is soliciting both new and used tents to provide shelter to the victims of the January 2010 earthquake. The Nikwax products will be used to clean and revive the waterproofing of the gently used tents that are donated. Christian Stout began the campaign as a humanitarian effort and Eagle Scout Service Project. He is working with REI and JAX Outdoor Gear, both in Fort Collins, to collect the tents. HELP International, a not-for-profit, humanitarian aid organization, will coordinate with Stout to ensure that all tents are distributed within Haiti by the end of May.

Mike Hanson, a 45 year old blind attorney from St. Louis Park, MN, has begun his quest to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Vasque is the official footwear sponsor of Hanson’s Appalachian Trail Campaign. Hanson is accompanied on his journey by videographer Gary L. Steffens, who is making a documentary about the experience.

Advanced Flexible Materials Inc. (AFM Inc.), the parent company of Heatsheets and Silver Lining, has pledged to donate 500 blankets to the West Palm Beach, Florida homeless shelter this winter. Additionally, Heatsheets will co-host a Sleep Out on February 5 in support of the homeless advocacy group. The Sleep Out is a community-wide event to raise awareness and funds to end homelessness in Palm Beach County.

Briggs & Riley Travelware has announced the success of its 2009 fundraising efforts for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). For over nine years, Briggs & Riley has partnered with JDRF in its mission to find a cure for diabetes. This year the company raised over $26,000 and, as a result, was recognized as the #1 corporate team to support JDRF in Suffolk County. Throughout the year, Briggs & Riley’s staff coordinated various fundraising efforts, including auctions, comedy night, book and CD sales and pizza lunches. On October 4 at Long Island’s Belmont Lake State Park, the campaign drive culminated in a 5K Walk to Cure Diabetes.

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), working with AmeriCares, calls on industry members to lend their support to those areas devastated by earthquakes in Haiti. OIA’s efforts have provided critical supplies for emergency disaster relief in the past, so it turns once again to the outdoor industry to contribute available resources to the relief efforts of AmeriCares. AmeriCares has asked for medical supplies, first aid kits, bandages and soaps, medical face masks, water purification supplies, headlamps, tarps, work gloves and hydration containers.