Flagstaff, AZ. May 16, 2013 – The Wildland Trekking Company (www.wildlandtrekking.com) in Flagstaff, AZ recently donated $12,000 to Willow Bend Environmental Education Center – the largest unrestricted donation in the non-profit’s 35-year history. The donation will be used for improvements to the Willow Bend Discovery Room including development of new exhibits and displays on regional water resources. These will be hosted at Willow Bend’s site for K-12 school field trips and public programs, as well as travel to schools and community events.
The Wildland Trekking Company offers backpacking adventures as well as Inn-based and basecamp hiking vacations. Destinations range from the Rockies to the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Desert Southwest. More than 2,500 people join their tours annually, and the business was recently showcased on the Discovery Channel as one of the “Official Best” attractions in Arizona.
Co-founder, Brad Ball said that “after doing some homework on Willow Bend and reading their annual report, we saw that their mission of environmental education for children is very well aligned with our business philosophy. We believe that exposure to the natural world helps to create an emotional identification with the land that can motivate day-to-day action on behalf of the places we love. It is our dream that these special places will be preserved and cherished by many generations to come.”
Through 1% For the Planet, the company has pledged to donate 1% of annual gross revenue to environmental organizations. 1% For the Planet is an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier environment.
Willow Bend Environmental Education Center, founded by the Coconino Natural Resource Conservation District, is a resource for learning about stewardship of our natural resources through K-12 education programs, family science events, adult education series, and community events. Visit willowbendcenter.org to learn more about their energy neutral building and habitat-friendly native landscaping.