Fundraising for the conservation of the Camí de Cavalls
Camí de Cavalls 360º, including the Epic 360º race, is an activity that makes use of a public and fragile resource that the Camí de Cavalls is. Although they represent a tiny part of the real human pressure that is now assuming the Camí de Cavalls and the natural areas through which it passes, we are aware of our responsibility in the correct use and promotion of this public resource.
That is why we decided to make a step forward: from now on, our activities will raise funds that will go directly to preservation measures and actions for the Camí de Cavalls path.
The proceeds of these funds will be made in two ways:
1) The voluntary donations of Camí de Cavalls 360º and Epic 360º participants, as well as anyone who is concerned by this issue and want to make a contribution. These donations can be made through the shop area in our website, or when registering to the Epic 360º.
2) The direct contribution of the company 40º Nord, organizer of the activity Camí de Cavalls 360º and producer of the Epic 360º race, organized by the Outroc sports club. 40º Nord will donate the amount of 2 € for each participant to the activities Camí de Cavalls 360º and Epic 360º. With this direct contribution of 40º Nord, it is expected to raise more than 3,000 € in 2017.
Considering the funds raised for this campaign, plus the sustainable tourism tax paid by all our participants through the accommodations, the activities Camí de Cavalls 360º and Epic 360º will have an estimated return of 15,200 € in 2017 that will be used for conservation of the Camí de Cavalls or other related purposes.
How will the funds raised be spent?
The actions of maintenance and conservation of the Camí de Cavalls will always be done under the aegis of the Consell Insular de Menorca, owner and responsible for the maintenance of the path. The actions taken will be designed to mitigate or prevent erosion, fix the route of the path or to repair elements such as traditional wooden gates. In any case will go to reduce the natural obstacles, increase signage or to provide any kind of service on the way.
The amount collected will go entirely to the maintenance and conservation of Camí de Cavalls. All advertising and procedures related to the project will be paid by the company 40° Nord (amount not subtracted of the 2 € per participant donated by our company).
40º Nord will punctually report on the website camidecavalls360.com both of the funds collected at year end as the actions taken with them.
Beyond the sustainability: improving the environment
Camí de Cavalls 360º is from the beginning an activity liable in respect for the environment. It is done in very small groups (average of about 2.3 people per group) spread over the 12 months of the year. In addition, participants remain in the minimum time required natural areas, as the overnight is always done in certified accommodations.
Also Epic Camí de Cavalls 360º race shares those same principles. One of the main goals of the Epic 360º is the awareness and education of participants in the responsible use of the trails and the respect for natural areas where the race takes place. Far from any crowds, for the 2017 edition the event will have a limit of 100 participants (average) in each modality.
That is why we believe that an event of this kind is not a threat to the environment in any way, but on the contrary it is an exceptional opportunity to do educational work, and reach the goal of respecting the natural areas not only during the course of the race, but also the rest of the year. In any case, the environmental awareness is not forged in an office or in a classroom, but in contact with nature.
From now on, we will not only carry out a sustainable activity and do this pedagogical work, but we will also generate financial resources to help the maintenance and conservation of the trail and the areas where it goes through.
We, thus, continue the line of one of our central ideas: in the context of a tourist destination and a small region like Menorca, the best guarantee of long-term preservation of a natural or path is not isolation or disuse, but the best guarantee of preservation is a responsible use of this area or path.