When Charities Collide: Conservation versus Fundraising

The New York Times reports that an innovative fundraising technique has raised environmental conservation concerns in northwest England.   The “Three Peaks Challenge” involves hiking to the top of the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales.  While not necessarily a charitable activity, a number of charities encourage their supporters to do the Challenge as a fundraising event, including CARE International.  The Challenge has proven so popular it has raised concerns at the National Trust, a major conservation group.  The National Trust urges participants to follow a code of practice developed in cooperation with the Institute of Fundraising, a UK group that represents professional fundraisers. The Code contains a section specifically addressing the Challenge, which suggests avoiding peak tourist times including the summer and certain holidays and limiting the total number of walkers per event to no more than 200.  The Code is not, however, legally binding, and it is unclear whether it has had any significant effect.  There is no indication in the NY Times article that the National Trust or any other group is seeking to create legal limits on climbing the three peaks.

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