From a career in whitewater kayaking to climate activism to conservation—get to know the new Executive Director at European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), Dan Yates.

This fall, a new Executive Director will take the helm of the outdoor industry’s own European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA). For Dan Yates, the path that led him here is firmly rooted in a long-standing dedication to environmental stewardship:

“Mine is a life spent following a passion for the outdoors and its protection. Initially as an athlete and adventurer through whitewater kayaking, and as my body has degenerated with both age and abuse, as an environmental advocate,” he shares.

A career rooted in environmental stewardship

Dan’s journey in conservation—or what he calls his “baptism of fire”—began in 2013 when he launched Save Our Rivers in response to the growing risks posed to rivers in Europe and the UK by large-scale infrastructure projects. In 2016, he then co-founded the Free Rivers Fund, collaborating with environmental directors to make a broader impact on river protection. Next, Dan Yates spent three and a half years at Protect Our Winters, where he worked as European Director of Partnerships and Initiatives.

While the approaches employed by these organizations differed, Dan Yates emerged from them with two convictions: A belief in the power of grassroots mobilization of the broader outdoor community against developments backed by powerful interests, and a belief that the outdoor industry itself can be a vital force for environmental progress.

“I think we are an amalgam of our past experiences and connections,” shares Dan Yates.

“EOCA’s strong track record of connecting the outdoor industry in the aim of positive action on nature and wild place preservation is the main reason I joined.”

Once he gets settled in, his aim is to harness EOCA’s network and resources to drive conservation work on a broad scale, empowering the outdoor sector to protect the wilderness.

“I’ll be bringing that sometimes messy mix of political awareness, strategic thinking and passion for nature and the outdoors with me to EOCA.”

Nature “hangs in the balance”

For Dan Yates, EOCA’s structure offers unique potential for uniting brands and outdoor communities, seeing the organization as a powerful vehicle to combat environmental crises that must be tackled.

“The nature and biodiversity crisis, coupled with the climate crisis, is the greatest threat to our lives and to the lives of future generations,” he says.

He highlights the recent fact that the EU Parliament and U.S. government may influence the trajectory of essential environmental initiatives like the EU Green Deal and the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Political action on climate and biodiversity hangs in the balance,” shares Dan Yates, and invites others to join the cause:

“There has never been a time when your brand is mindful of its future could do more to align with the positive force for change that EOCA already represents.”

Lead Photo: Dan Yates, EOCA’s new Executive Director, brings a lifelong passion for conservation and outdoor advocacy.