The Northern Forest is one of the most intact temperate broadleaf forests in the world. In addition to the numbers above, it’s a home to rare alpine vegetation, at-risk species, old-growth forests and dynamic rivers.  However, development pressures threaten to fragment existing connectivity and to decrease the ecological health of the region.

In 2009, $1 million grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service catalyzed a partnership between the Nature Conservancy, State wildlife and transportation agencies, and 11 other organizations. The Staying Connected initiative was born. The Staying Connected initiative works to restore, maintain, and enhance large blocks of wildlife habitat and the connections between them.

According to the initiative, the goal is to protect existing connectivity and work to restore lost connectivity between forested habitat from New York to Maine. The priority linkage areas are from the Adirondacks to the Green Mountains, from the Greens to the Worcester Mountains, and on into the expansive forests of Maine and Quebec.

The partners work together to determine where fragmented habitat most threatens wide-ranging forest animals and consider how decisions about land use and habitat are made in each state. Engaging communities to encourage local maintenance and restoration of landscape connections across the Northern Appalachians has been the successful strategy to date.

Jens Hawkins-Hilke a Conservation Planning Biologist for VT Fish & Wildlife Department says it well:

“It is a vibrant partnership that is addressing the need for habitat connectivity with a proven and effective multi-tiered approach that translates landscape scale science into action at the local level,”

This is remarkable for a couple of reasons:

1. It is an unprecedented partnership due to it’s scope .

2. It seeks to address significant ecosystem issues that can serve as a model in other areas.

 The map below identifies key areas of connectivity in need of protected, restoration, or maintenance to allow wildlife to successfully move though intact and fragmented landscapes.

We invite 1% for the Planet member companies to learn more and support this initiative through financial contributions or in-kind services.

Staying Connected was chosen as one of only 12 nationwide projects to receive grant funding through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Competitive State Wildlife Grants Program.  The project has also received funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation through the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Fund and the Jessie B Cox Charitable Trust for it’s significant long-term goals for the Northern Forest.

Please consider supporting a highlighted non-profit partner or making a direct donation to the Staying Connected Initiative.

Feel free to be in contact directly with Leah (leah@onepercentfortheplanet.org) with questions.

In order to change the business model leaders must break free from the pack and take a stand.  They must find partners who share their vision.  They must showcase the benefits of a more sustainable approach to business.  They must chart the pathway to Capitalism 2.0.

DATE: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012 
TIME: 4:30-6:30 EST (snacks and networking from 6:30-7:30)
LOCATION: Bennett Jones, 1st Canadian Pl., 100 King St. W. (King/Bay), 34th Floor, Toronto
LIVE WEBCAST & TWITTER CHAT #tssschat from 5:00 – 6:30 EST
Click here to register for the free webcast.

Distinguished Guests:

Esther Speck,
Director of Sustainability and Community
Mountain Equipment Co-op

Terry Kellogg
Chief Executive Officer
1% For The Planet

During the discussion you will learn:

• How despite its “medium size” a company like MEC can be a catalyst for driving so much positive change
• What metrics must be embedded into the capitalist model to ensure that change goes beyond words
• How being part of the 1% network (1400 companies in 45 countries) leverages a company’s ability to drive change
• What changes are necessary to fix our broken form of Capitalism

Based out of Bondi Beach, Australia, Surf Organic is an environmentally focused Australian surf company. The company’s primary product is an eco friendly surf wax, which is made from a blend of renewable resources and high performance ingredients and is packaged with 100% recycled materials.  They were inspired to join 1% For the Planet because simply making eco friendly products was not enough to achieve the company’s goal; Surf Organic doesn’t want to have a neutral impact on the environment, they want to have a overall positive effect.  We admire this ambitious mission and are excited to help make it happen.  Ultimately, Surf Organic plans on continuing to develop partnerships that will allow them to contribute to ocean and marine environment causes.

Treetie is a great new eco-boutique.  According to founder and owner Nichole Dunst, Treetie signifies a treaty or alliance between the world of fashion and Mother Nature. Every item sold on shoptreetie.com has been made using environmentally friendly materials and with the use of fair trade. From colorful scarves hand loomed in the South American highlands to beautiful blouses designed and manufactured in Portland, OR, each item has a story. ‘Slow fashion’ is movement that encourages trends to move through their cycles at a slower pace, thus making it possible to put tender, love, and care into each piece. The goal of Treetie is to show fashionistas out there that they can indeed wear beautiful clothing that has been created through ethical means.

Nichole was inspired to join the 1% for the Planet family because it felt like the most logical way to help give back to causes that she’s passionate about. Talking about becoming a member, Nichole said, “I love that I have the flexibility to know where my donations are going, and to even have a say in where they’re allocated to. 1% of profits may not seem like a lot for many small businesses, but collectively we are making a huge difference and seeing amazing results.”  We couldn’t agree more.

Furthermore, Nichole looks forward to creating long-lasting partnerships with other like-minded business people, especially those in similar industries like the fashion, beauty, and health industries. “I’d love to hear everyone’s stories and backgrounds, and to know what inspired them to dedicate a portion of their profits to this cause. I am very excited to be part of this organization and I look forward to seeing both Treetie and 1% for the Planet grow and evolve.”  We love the enthusiasm and encourage you to take a look at the amazing items on the website!

Plak That, based out of Ocean City, Maryland, is a new company with one main goal: Create custom wood prints for individuals and re-sellers while offsetting the company’s carbon footprint.  After reading Yvon Chouinard and Paul Hawken’s books, owner Wyatt Harrison got involved in sustainability-driven initiatives including bike to school days, recycling programs, and switching his hometown’s street lights over to LED.  When he found himself starting his own wood print business, the best practice was to set it up in a way that replenishes and replants the earth more than the business takes away.  This partnership with 1% For the Planet combined with the use of FSC certified and reclaimed wood makes Plak That a leader in the wood print business.  In the next few weeks, Plak That will also be partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to donate the planting of a tree for every wood print that is sold.  Wyatt hopes to join other nonprofits in raising awareness about many of our depleted resources and how businesses can do the right thing while also increasing their bottom line, a theory that is still largely overlooked.  Check them out today and create your own unique, sustainable, custom wood print at www.plakthat.com.  Beautiful, eco-friendly prints sound like a perfect stocking stuffer!

Welcome again to these great new members!

Don’t miss the Boston premiere of Jeremy Jones’ Further!

1% FTP member and award winning producer, Teton Gravity Research is pleased to announce the production of Further, the second installment in the Jeremy Jones trilogy, Deeper, Further, Higher presented by O’Neill, Clif Bar, Jones Snowboards and others. Further will explore some of the world’s most remote terrain while continuing Jones’ mission to camp deep in the backcountry and on the summits of unridden lines to access nearly vertical spines and wide open powder fields.

Jeremy Jones founded one of our largest nonprofit partners, Protect Our Winters, who works “to engage and mobilize the winter sports community to lead the fight against climate change.” Not only is Jones an amazing snowboarder and advocate, but he was recently nominated as National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year- so make sure to show your support and vote for him! Staff from TGR will be at the film and there will be awesome opportunities to win some swag.

The film will be shown in the IMAX theater at the New England Aquarium at both 7PM & 9PM on Thursday & Friday nights! Hope you can attend- and if not, click here to find another showing!

WE ARE 1% FOR THE PLANET

Founded in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia and Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet paved the way for a revolutionary merger between successful, creative businesses worldwide and non-profits committed to improving the health of our planet. During the past 10 years we have generated more than $100 million in funding for non-profits big and small, all dedicated to improving the health of our planet.

OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH—AND IMPACT

We spent our first decade building a solid network of thriving, creative and mindful businesses and non-profits around the world. As we embark on the next ten years, we’re committed to harnessing the power of that network by engaging our constituents in high impact partnerships with unique power to impact key issues.

We are also pursuing strategies that will allow us to scale further by engaging larger companies. Our vision is to grow our network of companies to 5,000 and to increase our collective giving from $20 million to $100 million a year. And while these are aggressive goals, they do not reflect our loftiest aspiration, which is to use the power of our model to engage more hearts and minds in the sustainability movement. That is where our greatest potential lies—but we need your support to tap it.

EVERY DOLLAR MATTERS—AND GETS MULTIPLIED

Because your gift allows us to sign up more companies which in turn direct more funding towards worthy environmental causes, it is truly an investment with the promise of a powerful return. To date, every dollar invested in 1% for the Planet has leveraged more than 40 dollars for the planet. So your investment will create a powerful ripple effect across both the business and the natural world.

Donate HERE through our secure online service or consider mailing a check to:

1% for the Planet

PO Box 650

Waitsfield, VT 05673

Thank You!

Without your interest, passion, and investment, 1% for the Planet wouldn’t be where we are today. More than 3000 environmental organizations benefit from the work we all do together. Let’s keep it going!

“Everytime I’ve done something good for the environment, I’ve made a profit.”

You’ve probably heard this quote from Yvon Chouinard, who is referring to the concept of doing well by doing good and how this relates to business.  Rebecca and myself were delighted when Yvon discussed this with the attendees of our 1% network gathering last Wednesday at Patagonia’s offices in Ventura, CA (photo below).  Yvon had us imagine a theoretical gas station that gives back a portion of each sale to the local community and the potential difference that this could make.  Wouldn’t you prefer to get fill your tank there?  Why, yes!!  I was proud to share with the group that this concept is not theoretical, but alive and thriving right in the town of 1% for the Planet’s Headquarters: Waitsfield, VT.  The Village Grocery (called the “VG” by the locals) has their Giving Gas concept, which donates one cent for each gallon of gas purchased to a local charity.  And just as Yvon suggests, people (including 1% for the Planet’s staff) go out of their way to make sure they get their gas from the beloved VG.  It feels good to give back!

This point certainly resonated with the 1% members at our gathering (and thank goodness or 1% for the Planet would not exist!).  But giving back isn’t easy.  In fact, Yvon mentioned that commonly people or companies are deterred from giving simply because they do not know who to give to.  As a result, they either don’t give anything or they create extremely cumbersome grant applications to bring the information to their fingertips.  While these grant applications can be  effective to vet organizations, the complexity and timeline of them often becomes a roadblock for nonprofits.  Consequently, big opportunities are missed.  However, if you have an informed crew (Yvon nods to his Environmental crew to his right!), then you’re able to dish out the dough pronto and confidently get the money to the causes you know need it most.

While we don’t all have the Patagonia Environmental crew standing to our right, the beauty of the 1% for the Planet network is that it helps to make these resources accessible!  Amongst our network of 1200 businesses and 3000 nonprofits, there is a lot of valuable information.  Who’s doing the best work?  What issues are time-sensitive?  What issues are local to me?  By keeping in touch with one another, we’re ensuring that these questions get addressed and that donations be allocated to the most effective nonprofits working on the most relevant issues!  A prime example:

Surfrider Foundation’s The Twenty Film: This is a kickstarter film that has just nine days left to get to their goal of $78,000.  Please support the cause to save California’s Gaviota Coast!!  Donate to the cause, share the link of Facebook, Twitter, and through your list serves.

 

As the issues are dynamic and change daily, it’s essential that we keep in touch.  To keep the conversation going, we need to hear from you – our members, our supporters and our nonprofit partners.  What issues are most pertinent in your community and need our attention and support?  Your feedback will help us galvanize action from our network to ensure that donations get allocated where they matter most.  Share them with us (brittany@onepercentfortheplanet.org)!

That said, Rebecca and I send huge thanks to you ALL for an amazing gathering.  Thanks to Michael at McConnell’s for the delicious ice cream, to Drew at Pop Culture Beverage Company for supplying tasty beverages, to all our member companies and nonprofits who came to share their perspectives and feedback, and of course, to Hans and the crew at Patagonia for hosting us!  Finally, a huge kudos to Yvon Chouinard for recognizing the power of corporate philanthropy and getting this whole thing started…. thank you!!

The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) began the film festival in 2003 with the goal to show environmentally focused films that not only informed audiences, but also inspired and motivated viewers to take action. Every year the California-based festival hits the road with a selection of short films, providing the opportunity for organizations all around the country to host a festival, show a selection of films, and inspire a local audience.

The festival also played host to a celebration. The film selection was inspired by the 40^th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, a passage that made a significant impact on the regulation of water quality. To commemorate the anniversary, the festival featured 10 award-winning and water-inspired short films. Among the chosen films were The Craziest Idea, One Plastic Beach, and Seasons: Winter, which we highly recommend checking out. You could really feel the emotion in the room as everyone watched the awe-inspiring films together.

Attendees also enjoyed food from The Skinny Pancake, delicious Vermont beers, and a silent auction, featuring some amazing items that were generously donated from Vermont businesses and 1% for the Planet members, Tonewood Maple, Kurt Budliger Photography, Osmium, and Refleece.

We were thrilled by the member and partner support the festival received in the days leading up to the event. The 1% FTP Network was in action, as members and partners came together to celebrate the Clean Water Act while creating an engaging and fun environment for the general public to learn more about VNRC, the beneficiary of this year’s event.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to those who attended – we hope you had as much fun as we did! If you’re interested in learning more about the Wild & Scenic Film Festival and want to find out when they’re headed to your neck of the woods, check out the schedule HERE.

1% for the Planet Players in the Game:

Member participants included: Patagonia, Clif Bar, Sugarbush Resort via Timbers Restaurant, The Skinny Pancake, Tonewood Maple, Kurt Budliger Photography, Osmium, Klean Kanteen, Refleece, Felt Soul Media

Member Partner: Mother Jones

Non-Profit Partners include: Vermont Natural Resource Council, Northeast Wilderness Trust, 350 Vermont, South Yuba River Citizens League, American Rivers, American Whitewater, Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center 

Thanks to Michelle Searer and Alicia De Martini from PMG, our newest Media Partner, for their assistance with writing this post!

A big congratulations goes to Australia’s first Financial Planning firm to join 1% for the Planet –  AJ Financial Planning!

AJ Financial Planning, based in Melbourne, Australia, is a boutique firm that is highly respected within their industry. Director and founder, Alex Jamieson, writes for many of the major investing magazines and is regularly invited to speak at investment seminars around Australia. With a keen interest in sustainable and ethical investing, AJ Financial Planning is unique in their ability to craft a portfolio that will meet not only your investment and financial objectives, but also your personal values.

AJ Financial Planning was inspired to join 1% for the Planet because they are passionate about helping people achieve a better tomorrow and not just financially. Becoming part of 1% for the Planet is their opportunity to make sure that their clients have enjoy a beautiful planet as they live out the dreams.

So let’s say G’day to AJ Financial Planning.

New member Eleven59 Studio, based out of Austin, Texas, is a design firm specializing in sustainable architecture, branding, and graphics.  In 2011, Co-Owners Alden Hall and Scott Larrick left their former lives in high-rise, corporate jobs to create a company motivated by positive change rather than profit.  For them, sustainability is more than a buzzword; it’s a way of doing business that benefits people, the environment, and the bottom line equally.  They discovered 1% for the Planet while drinking at their favorite local brewery, Hops & Grain, who happens to be a member.  Alden and Scott love Austin.  They bike to work (and just about everywhere else), support local waste prevention and recycling programs, and regularly swim in the city’s natural spring-fed pool.  That’s why they hope to focus their donations to local non-profits like Bike Texas, Ecology Action, and the Save Our Springs Alliance, so that their 1% can have a direct impact on the causes they care about most in their community.

We couldn’t be happier to have AJ Financial Planning and Eleven59 Studio as part of the 1% for the Planet family.  Welcome!

By the Numbers:

In just a year we’ve added 23 new members, who will donate an additional $700,000 to environmental causes this year alone. That brings us to more than $5M in giving to date from our Canadian partners. Boom. There’s a lot to be excited about.

In the last 12 months we’ve welcomed wonderful new member companies to the network, including Frogbox, Nature’s Path, and Salt Spring Coffee. They were joined at Power Plant by stalwart members Ascenta, MEC, Saul Good and Sunwolf and nonprofit partners like CPAWS, LOCO BC and West Coast Environmental Law.

The evening featured presentations from movers and shakers in the Canadian sustainability world who highlighted ways that business can be a part of the solution to pressing environmental challenges in Canada.

The night was chock full of great conversation, connections and good times; we left inspired by the Canadian team, knowing this is a group that will create enormous positive change for the planet.

Thanks to all who made it possible, keep up the great work, and we’ll see you in town again soon!

And if you couldn’t make it, check out our speakers in action at these links!

Melody Badgett (1% for the Planet)

Michael Ableman (SOLEfood Farms)

Kris Holm (1% Ambassador and Mountain Unicyclist)

This first-time “Special Edition” of Power Plant was focused exclusively on 1% for the Planet, a global movement of more than 1,000 member companies in 45 countries that donate one percent of annual sales directly to approved environmental organizations worldwide. Representatives from 1% for the Planet were on hand to mix and mingle with the sold-out crowd of 185 people, Power Plant’s largest event to date.

After an hour of purposeful connecting in the foyer (while snacking on delicious appetizers and sipping local wine and beer), the group moved into the theatre’s auditorium, where Melody Badgett, Senior Vice President of 1% for the Planet, kicked off the presentations by giving a high energy overview of the benefits businesses gain from joining 1% for the Planet.

Each presenter followed the Power Plant format, giving a three-minute and 20 second presentation accompanied by 10 slides appearing on screen for exactly 20 seconds each, lending a snappy tone to the presentation portion of the evening.

Other speakers included:

-Devon Page, Executive Director of Ecojustice, a charity made up of some of Canada’s leading lawyers and scientists who work to fulfill their mission of using the law and to protect and restore Canada’s environment. Devon talked about Ecojustice’s conservation work, funded in part by 1% for the Planet member Mountain Equipment Co-op, consisting of law suits representing animals such as the caribou and the orca, fighting against the federal government for not following their own regulations around species protection.

-Monica Pearson, a biologist who discussed her work conserving Oregon spotted frog habitats in the Fraser Valley through the BC Conservation Foundation, a non-profit supported by 1% for the Planet member Frogbox. She pointed out that 67 animal species in the Fraser Valley are currently under threat of extinction, and how the work she and her colleagues are doing in riparian restoration is making a difference in stopping that momentum.

-Michael Ableman, an acclaimed farmer, author and founder of SOLEfood Farm, who spoke about this innovative social enterprise that provides urban agriculture employment and training opportunities for Vancouver’s inner-city residents.

-Kris Holm, a mountain unicyclist, who spoke about what inspired him to make his business the first Canadian company, and internationally the first cycling brand, to become a member of 1% for the Planet. Kris is also a 1% for the Planet Ambassador.