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Give Back: Protect Our Wild Spaces with Year-End Giving

It is December and a lot of the non-profits protecting our lands and wildlife currently have matching grants. If you use these lands, help us all protect them by donating to the work they are doing.

By: Brynn Schmidt + Save to a List

December is crazy busy for all of us with holiday parties, events, family time and hopefully some great opportunities to get outside and play. We will be climbing in Joshua Tree for a few days after Christmas so we're totally looking forward to that! While we have a lot going on this month, it is also the time of year we do a lot of our financial giving. It does not matter how much you can give, just give something to organizations working to protect the places we love to play in. Every dollar adds up for these non-profits. I wanted to encourage you all to do your part this year and take action to support some of these groups that are working tirelessly to protect our wild places. You can find many great organizations on your own, but I thought I would list a few here that we have given to throughout the years. I am in no way affiliated with any of these organizations other than as a donor so there are no direct ties that I have. 

Here are a few recommendations:

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) - defending our air, water, wild spaces and species. Current triple match for all donations through December 31, 2018

Western Environmental Law Center - Defending wild lands, wildlife and climate

Western Resource Advocates - Protecting the West's air, land and water quality 

Access Fund -  Protecting climbing access and climbing areas

Center for Biological Diversity -  Protecting the lands, waters and climate with an emphasis on how this protects all wildlife. Current matching grant through December 31, 2018

Protect our Winters (POW) - Advocating for the climate to protect our winter playgrounds around and with a future of snow

Surfrider Foundation -  Working to protect our coasts from all threats to protect our oceans, waves and beaches

Mountain Journal - Newer media organization (journalistic watchdog organization) bringing critical issues/articles to the forefront regarding the Greater-Yellowstone ecosystem and the West

There are so many more to choose from such as Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, Earth Justice and others. Most of the larger organizations are familiar to you all and have matching opportunities. I wanted to highlight some of the lesser-known organizations that need support as well and that we know are doing great work.

Happy Holidays and let's all give back to help offset the impact we have on our wild places as we hike, camp, backpack, surf, ski/ride, climb etc. 

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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