Echo Partners with Ducks Unlimited for Conservation Effort

Echo announced that ithas embarked on a new partnership with Ducks Unlimited (DU), an environmental organization focused on conservation of wetlands and waterfowl habitats. Echo is DU’s only outdoor power equipment sponsor and will participate as a corporate leader in one of the largest comprehensive campaigns in North America, called “Wetlands for Tomorrow.” Wetlands for Tomorrow addresses wetlands conservation in North America.

With the partnership dubbed “Partners for Home and Habitat,” Echo and DU will be educating consumers about the importance of habitat conservation while delivering useful information about home landscaping and the proper use and maintenance of outdoor power equipment.

“It makes a lot of sense for us to do something like this because we’re very interested in the environment as a company,” says Barb Gora, marketing services for Echo. “At the grassroots level, we’re encouraging our dealers and distributors to get involved in the program.” Gora tells Lawn & Landscape that Echo’s 6,000-plus dealers were issued marketing kits for their dealerships to help initiate their involvement and educate customers on the program. She also noted that the Echo Carving Series, which kicks off in May, will also be incorporated into the program with the championship to be held at the DU Great Outdoors Festival in August.

“Ducks Unlimited supporters are do-it-yourself consumers who value quality and durability in the tools that they use, and Echo clearly meets this standard,” says Don Young, DU executive vice president. “We are delighted to welcome Echo to the Ducks Unlimited community and appreciate their commitment to habitat conservation.”

As part of the agreement, special Echo chain saw prize packages, including saw, carrying case, ear protection and chaps, are being awarded at select DU banquets across the country to raise funds for the organization’s mission of habitat conservation. Gora says 85 percent of the funds raised will go back to conservation.

“Environmental conservation is a cornerstone of Echo’s corporate philosophy,” says Joe Fahey, Echo vice president of marketing. “The company’s commitment to conservation and our passion for the outdoors make this partnership with Ducks Unlimited a perfect fit.