Wedding gifts: often redundant, sometimes essential, occasionally pulled out of the closet just before the person who gifted it to you comes by for dinner, and always, of course, a useful tool to impress the ladies — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDda4zG3zvE. But other times wedding gifts have an entirely different effect: Arjan and Rimjhim tell the story of how Nature’s Path’s latest granola series, Love Crunch, came out of an idea to have their wedding guests gift community service projects in place of material items. Love Crunch is now a product that gives back Bite4Bite so that for every bag you buy, Nature’s Path will donate the equivalent amount in cash or organic food to the food bank (up to $1 Million per year!).
This story was my introduction to one of our newest members, Nature’s Path, who has joined 1% for the Planet with their EnviroKidz Brand. I was completely taken aback (with delight and admiration, of course!) by the core values that began Nature’s Path and that remain as the solid foundation upon which the company thrives today. Nature’s Path is a remarkable example of a company looking at its triple bottom line and really living and breathing its everyday values. Founded by a family that grew up on an organic farm, they’re highly committed to organics and proper land stewardship. As founder, Arron Stephens, says, “Always leave the Earth better than you found it,” Nature’s Path truly goes the distance to provide a product that does good from the moment its ingredients are planted in the soil, to the point where kids eating it for breakfast are prompted by artwork on the cereal box to learn about the food cycle.
It was truly a pleasure to kick off this year’s Natural Product ExpoWest show with a luncheon hosted by Nature’s Path. Myself and colleague, Rebecca, had the pleasure of welcoming the Nature’s Path family into the 1% for the Planet network, hearing their history, plans for growth and engaging with the 1% network, and watching as a scholarship from the Rodale Institute to support young organic farmers was named in honor of Arron Stephens. Congratulations, Arron!
It’s the stories like that of Nature’s Path, and the diverse nature of our membership base that make this alliance so intriguing. It’s enormously encouraging to see the movement spreading virally, and during our happy hour co-hosted with Klean Kanteen it was a hoot to bring together such an eccentric crew — from ice cream makers (Three Twins & McConnell’s!), to lawyers (Lara Pearson and Wendel, Rosen, Black and Dean) or green retirement plan providers (SocialK), we had a solid 1% presence. In addition to current members, prospective members swung by to check in and other show attendees frequented our booth to learn about the business model and/or to find out how they could get one of the beautiful steel 1% pints! I want to graciously thank all of our members that attended the show! There’s nothing more invigorating than getting out and meeting the faces that stand behind the good work, and to speak with the people who are causing revolutionary change in the way we do business.
(Pauline, Tom and James exemplify remarkable teamwork skills as they collaborate to calculate 1% of revenue.)
You may have seen some new authors on the blog lately and that’s because 1% for the Planet has recently welcomed three new data doctors. With the New Year upon us (happy Year of the Dragon, today!), 1% for the Planet is transferring its database from a system we’ve long since outgrown to a much more robust platform that will cater better to our member companies and nonprofit partners! Later this year, we look forward to launching a new database and website that will allow for greater interconnectivity, enhanced member and nonprofit profiles, transparent giving information and better search mechanisms for our website visitors! More to come on the new database in due time, but first let’s kick things off with some introductions to the new crew: James, Pauline and Tom.
James Kinne gradutated from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, and is our resident pro musician here at 1%. His time outside of the 1% office finds him playing shows and recording with his two groups, Last October and the Phineas Gage Project. His passion for our planet and music merge within the office, supplying a diverse and “interesting” selection of music for all at 1% to hear. Born in New York City, James has always loved Vermont and moved to the Green Mountains in 2005 following his heart. Splitting his time between 1% and music, and sometimes merging the two… it’s safe to say that James dances to his own drummer. Thank goodness he doesn’t currently own a drumset…
Pauline Stevens is a recent graduate of William Smith College is Geneva, NY, where she majored in environmental studies and minored in anthropology. Although she enjoyed living in the Finger Lakes Wine Region for the last four years, she is stoked to be back in Vermont. She has spent the last five summers working on her parent’s organic vegetable farm in Shoreham and while in college, she interned at the New York Wine and Culinary Center and Ventosa Vineyards. Ever since she received a blender for Christmas when she was nine, she has had a strong interest in food and loves every aspect of it- from weekly pizza Tuesdays with friends, to making and selling ice cream to the Shoreham Inn. She’s excited to learn more about how 1% operates and become part of a growing environmental non-profit. Although her new position as a Data Doctor is a major change from having her hands in the dirt every day, she loves spending time with the 1% team and having frequent staring contests with Tom!
Tom Robson is a newly minted alumnus of Dickinson College where he received his B.A. in Environmental Studies. Prior to joining 1% for the Planet he spent his time in Alaska working as an Environmental Scientist for a large engineering company. Life in the for-profit world was interesting, however Tom is excited to help foster new business and non-profit relationships in order to more easily achieve 1%’s mission.
Living in Alaska was nice, but Tom feels more at home working, and recreating in the Green Mountain State, as he’s a New England native. Tom is a competitive cyclist, avid runner, and experienced skier, and the Mad River Valley is the perfect setting for all three passions.
Once the snow melts, Tom is looking forward to cycling up the App Gap!
(Image 1: James, Pauline, Tom | Image 2: Tom, Pauline, James)
Thanks to these guys for their diligent data entry and willingness to flip-flop between monotonous data work and creative writing prompts in a matter of minutes! With the assistance of this jaw-dropping squad, 1% for the Planet is well on its way to providing premium service to the 1% network!!
Well, by now I’m sure most of our followers, members and partners have had a chance to watch our remarkable film, [one percent] of the story. No?! Grab a cup o’ tea (maybe a crumpet too!), and settle in for 15 minutes of sheer delight.
Once you’ve seen our film you can’t help but love it, but also, you may realize that it truly is one percent of the story. The film touches on the stories of our member companies – the businesses making this 1% commitment – but it does not zoom in on the real reason we exist: our nonprofit partners. As Yvon Chouinard said when he co-founded 1%, we all (business too!) have a responsibility to the planet and “the best way to do it is to just dig into your pockets and give the money away — to people who are willing to do the good work.” That’s what this blog post is about – those people who are doing the good work. You may remember last year we shared some stories by collecting films from our nonprofit partners, and this year we take a similar approach but with written stories of success. Here is the first story of many to come, about how our member companies have assisted nonprofits to do the good work:
Today we have a story from The Snow Leopard Trust – a group working to protect the endangered snow leopard. The Snow Leopard Trust received a 1% donation from member company Mountain Outfitters.
This past summer, Mountain Outfitter’s donation was put toward special projects focused on education, species conservation and research. One of their first projects this summer involved working with local families to develop livestock insurance programs. Upon removing the economic burden that livestock predation places on these rural communities, the Snow Leopard Trust has implemented a system that will reduce snow leopard persecution in these communities. Once these insurance programs were implemented, the organization furthered their community engagement by working with local schools and educating the students about the importance of a keystone species such as the Snow Leopard.
The Snow Leopard Trust has seen great results from these recent efforts. In their reserves in India, they’ve seen population growth increase three fold over the past 11 years! The organization has chosen a comprehensive model to protect the species, and a smart model that does not just rope off areas designated solely for the leopard, but a model that works with the current system to create an integrative solution that benefits all parties involved.
Thank you to The Snow Leopard Trust for sharing your inspiring story of success, and thank you to Mountain Outfitters for providing the support that allowed this great work to happen.
Are you a nonprofit that’s done something great with a 1% donation? Tell us about it! Send your written highlights (and maybe photos, too!) to brittany@onepercentfortheplanet.org.
I recently had the delightful pleasure of attending Patagonia’s Tools for Grassroots Activist Conference. Five days spent with engaging individuals across all lines of work – government, film & entertainment, economics, business, technology, grassroots activism, education – every sector was present and every person had a story of success to share.
After five days of inspiring stories, engaging lectures, collaborative workshops and gusty paddle boarding adventures, the conference facilitators asked us to sum up the week into one key takeaway. One group’s response:
Work with business. Get more businesses to join 1% for the Planet.
Bingo! I returned to 1% for the Planet reenergized and further inspired.
Just for grins, and because the environmental movement tends to lean (too often) toward dreary facts and sad figures, here’s a sampling of inspirational stories to share with our network:
Annie Leonard– if we’re to shift behavior and really redesign, everyone needs to watch her videos. Here’s a woman who has nailed her messaging and exemplifies effective communication in all aspects of her work.
The Elwha Damis coming out right now in Olympic National Park! This dam removal is a huge milestone in the efforts to restore our rivers and salmon populations, and it is one of many to come. Follow American Rivers to keep up to date on removal progress!
The International League of Conservation Photographers joins EP Films to create the film SPOIL, which exemplifies how powerfully film and photography can document and portray the pristine beauty and significance of threatened ecosystems, such as that of the Great Bear Rainforest. If the Enbridge pipeline plans go through, this area will soon be threatened by potential oil spills from tankers that will begin transporting oil through the narrow and windy coast of the Great Bear Rainforest. This film is an incredibly effective means of spreading awareness and prompting a response as it invokes a strong emotion from its audience. Try and watch it without getting a little teary….
Lastly, as we’re all working to protect the planet we love, it’s important that we remember to take the time to enjoy it.
(1% CEO, Terry Kellogg, slacklines with 1% Development Program Manager, Leah Cameron, at our annual staff retreat in Warren, VT)
Well, as many of you have likely heard, Vermont was hit quite hard by tropical storm Irene this past Sunday. Our little state is familiar with severe weather of all sorts: blizzards, thunderstorms, rains, and the like, but it’s not everyday that a tropical storm blows through. The rains and winds of Irene wrecked havoc on many small towns in Vermont, tearing out covered bridges, isolating entire towns with road washouts and destroying homes, businesses and farms.
1% for the Planet has its headquarters in the town of Waitsfield, Vermont, and by no small miracle, our office fared amazingly well. Aside from a basement full of sludge, our floors are dry and our equipment in good condition. The same is not to be said of our neighbors, however. Foundations gone, buildings literally moved by the river, and massive amounts of local produce — lost.
1% for the Planet spent this morning lending a hand in the recovery efforts at neighboring farm, Small Step Farm. We emptied a greenhouse full of plump ripe tomatoes and fresh basil, pulled irrigation tubing out of ditches, carried logs to designated burn piles, pressure washed the silt away from seedling trays and had many a bonfire without the s’mores.
It’s a detrimental time for Vermont and there’s a lot of work ahead, but if there’s anything positive to come of this, it’s the coming together of an incredible community. Locals, out-of-towners, and vacationers alike are all coming out to see how they can help. Social media has also shown its power as those in need create Facebook events, posts are updated every five minutes about what roads are closed or now open, whose dog is lost or found, and how you can support those in need. Only three days after the storm and a massive difference has been made.
Over the next couple weeks if we’re a bit less available on the phone or via email it’s likely because we’re out of office, but rest assured we’ll be in touch as soon as possible. If you’re in the area, feel free to come join us! We plan to spend the next few mornings out and about in the community helping on various projects as needed. While the loss of so much could-have-been-pesto-ingredients is disheartening, the joy of using a pressure washer is quite sensational!
1% is beautiful in its simplicity. It’s a simple model, with a high bar for giving and consequently, a profound impact. Beautiful and bold is 1%!
But really – numbers are just numbers, and at the end of the day the fun part that really sheds light on the power of the movement are the stories behind it all. Each company gives 1% to nonprofit partners of their choice, but who are those organizations, and what are they working on?
Here’s a story from a longstanding member company, CaliBamboo:
CaliBamboo is a leading 1% member company that exists to provide sustainable building supplies for both residential and commercial homes. They do so by using bamboo, which is one of the world’s most durable, sustainable and renewable materials. In addition to building their business around a better alternative for building materials, CaliBamboo donates one percent of net revenue annually to The Surfrider Foundation.
This month CaliBamboo is undertaking in a fun project with The Surfrider Foundation–together they’re promoting The National Greenscape Challenge. By challenging contestants to design the most sustainable garden they can, this project educates contestants and followers about the common mistakes in landscaping, and the consequent perils of urban runoff. The National Greenscape Challenge raises awareness among a larger audience and culminates with a large influx of inspiring project solutions (not to mention that the winner gets to enjoy a weekend of surfing in sunny Southern California!).
This is but one story of thousands out there. What’s yours? Spread the word, share the good stories and keep us inspired. Email me at brittany@onepercentfortheplanet.org and tell (or show!) us how you’re a living model of corporate philanthropy in action!
After a great dinner with Mike Harney of 1% member company Harney & Son’s Tea, the 1% team drops off the rental car at JFK airport at 12:30 a.m. – the next five days will be car free. Unfamiliar with NYC public transportation, and under Brittany’s confident (misguided) navigation, the country kids hop on the wrong train and head far far away from Manhattan to the quiet town of Ronkonkoma. Awoken by the repeat call, “Last stop, all passengers off,” the tired 1% Percentees stumble out into the frigid night. A few NYC cabbies befriend the two lost souls and offer them a seat in their lounge room, as long as they agree not to fall asleep. It’s 3 a.m. and the next train won’t arrive until 4:06 a.m.
Cabby Joey: Got some bad news for ya – did you hear what happened down town tonight? A celebrity was stabbed….
Brittany: What?! No, who?
Cabby Joey: Reese… something rather. Reese… With-
Brittany: Reese Witherspoon?!
Cabby Joey: No, with a fork!
4:06 rolled around slowly.
30 minutes of sleep, and several shots of espresso later, team 1% joined 140 cyclists to kick off the 300 mile journey south. Chatting and pedaling alongside lawyers, environmentalists, cyclists, and even some fellow Vermonters, the chaos of the night before was quickly forgotten and the spectacle of Climate Ride was well underway.
1% had a few New Year resolutions this year, and establishing deeper connections with our network was high on our list. Our development crew has spearheaded amazing regional events, making for a busy calendar for our eight person organization, but creating fantastic results! Amongst these events, Climate Ridehas presented a fantastic opportunity to engage with the greater 1% network. As the ride benefits several other nonprofit partners, it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to bring members and nonprofits together, to bike for a cause we all believe in, and to establish solid relationships and gather stories. Throughout the ride we enjoyed meeting representatives from other nonprofit partners, as well as engaging in great discussions about the philosophy and potential of 1% with Paul Keegan, of member company One World Trading Co. and Jeff Lesk, of Nixon Peabody. At the ride’s end, we were also very pleased to host events that yielded a great turnout from 1% member companies in the DC area. 1% member companies Tranquil Space, DrinkWell, Backpacker Tees, Boatyard Bar & Grill, Cheeky Green, Victoria Vox, Charm City Run, Zosimos Botanicals, and Salazon Chocolate all joined us for some great food and even better conversation. Thank you all!!
Further kudos go to our supporters! A big thank you to member companies Boatyard Bar & Grill, Trail Tex, Sweet People Apparel, GearSense and 3 Acres for your generous donations in support of Climate Ride – we literally could not have done this without your support.
This ride was an inspiration, an adventure and an experience of a lifetime. It’s an opportunity to meet incredible people, to spend quality time with each of them and to become inspired about the great change that’s possible. It’s an opportunity to share stories and to learn how we’re all working together to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Be it with carbon offsets, with green energy, with campaigning and advocacy, with business, or by hopping on a bicycle instead of driving a car – it was all there.
This ride was part one of two. It was an incredible opportunity to increase our face to face time with our network, to engage with the network and to hear the stories of the groups we’re supporting. As we work to raise awareness about 1% for the Planet, it’s important to hear the voices of our nonprofit partners, but it’s also essential to hear the stories from our business members. And that brings about the final ask: will you join us? Bring more perspective to the ride – tell your story and help us understand the challenges and rewards for your company as you work to be a part of the solution. Engage with a dynamic and passionate crew that will both challenge you with questions and work enthusiastically with you to develop solutions. Join us this October for Part 2 of an epic journey and pedal with us from Eureka, CA to San Francisco, CA.
Can’t join us? Support our team! By donating to any of our team members, your donation will go to support the work of 1% for the Planet.
Hear it yourself, the coolest thing about Climate Ride, from Climate Ride facilitator, Geraldine:
Rangers have been a pretty big part of my life these past several years. They seem to pop up everywhere in life – in books, in parks, in environmental law class, in SUVs on California highways, and now… on iPhones.
Since coming to 1% for the Planet, I’ve been quite prideful of my Junior Ranger status, and it’s been most rewarding to watch as my affinity for park rangers and my work here at 1% for the Planet overlap again and again. Just after a few months in house, I connected with a with a staff person at Rocky Mountain Nature Association by way of sharing our Junior Ranger experiences. We took to signing our correspondences to one another, “from one Junior Ranger to another.” Less than a month later, I found out one of our members, American Park Network, was responsible for the publication of the renowned Oh, Ranger! book that I’d read while gallivanting the grandeur of Yosemite valley. Who knew!? Mark, of American Park Network, made my day when he found his way to our 1% booth at Outdoor Retailer this January, and there we exchanged Ranger stories.
And now, now, American Park Network offers a wonderful new smart phone application, Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™. This notification came to my inbox and without a breath I downloaded the app. Being familiar with the geography in Vermont, I hadn’t put it to use until a couple weeks later when I found myself in Oregon, driving in no particular direction, in search of a campsite before sunset. With darkness looming and growing tired of the relentless logging roads, I recalled the Oh, Ranger! app and put it to use. This app changed everything.
The horizon before us was no longer filled with tractor trailer trucks and endless highway, but it now glimmered with abundant waterfalls, hot springs, ski areas, campsites and even, not too far off, Crater Lake (the app informed us that we’d clearly taken a route due south further than we’d realized)! I couldn’t think of a more useful application for someone such as myself who all too often goes off the map, has a horrendous sense of direction, and enjoys spontaneous adventure – all in the company of a best friend with many of the same attributes. While one part of camping and adventuring is going off the charts and turning off the phone and computer, I will fend for the smartphone in this instance and say that if you’re out and about on a drive and want to find a fun stop, a nearby park to explore, or just spice things up with some adventure, definitely bust out the Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™ app. It’ll make your day – possibly even your trip – as it puts to use modern technology to get back to the natural environment that we’re all working hard to conserve. While the app inherently supports all parks by raising awareness about them, the 1% donation given on behalf of this app from American Park Network supports nonprofit partners Tread Lightly! and The Student Conservation Association (SCA).
Once you scout out a park with your new Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™ app, be sure to go and get certified as a Junior Ranger – no matter how old you are
After quite a busy April with many inspiring earth day events and highlights, 1% is proud to introduce 35 new members to the network! Find the member nearest you and see what they have to offer!
Oregon brings brands to life, while simultaneously providing an ecofriendly home cleaning experience ecopop | CleanVia, Inc
California offers fashion, art, ecofriendly computer cables and all natural soaps with 1% member companies: Lazy Glamour Apparel | Wild About Crafts | Ohmlop | Swami’s Homegrown
NewYork consults, educates about recycling and trash, and all the while keeps surfers up to par on their nutrition thanks to Birchyard | Grey Box Inc. | Jimmu Enterprises Incorporated
Pennsylvania is all about connections this month as they bring two new members whom help artists connect and locate one another geographically with A Dying Breed | Purple Lizard Publishing
If you’re in the United Kingdom, get a screen printed new tee or learn about sustainable marketing with members GET A GRIP | Orbis Marketing
France engages with graphic designers, exceptional mountaineering tools, natural soaps and keeps it all together with great accountants with members Solutions Graphik’n Print | Blue Ice UP France | Mayumi-Bio| L’Abeille Comptabilite
Norway encourages us all to take more holiday, venturing out to some beautiful rentals in Crete from Almyra
As promised, we write today to follow up with our network about the Japan relief efforts being carried out by our nonprofit partners. Despite the difficult times that Japan is enduring, our partners in that area have been incredibly diligent with their updates, and for this we’re very appreciative – thank you!
For 1% member companies looking to use their donations to support relief efforts in Japan, please consider these groups:
All Hands Volunteers is a nonprofit partner who has recently announced their Project Tohoku - a relief effort that shall focus on debris clean up, resource allocation and working with the local communities to repair the damage.
World Wildlife Japan has decided to base their work efforts around the communities most heavily impacted by the tsunami. Funds raised will go to support coastal areas of the Tohoku and Kanto districts to assist victims to restore their living spaces.
Friends of the Earth Japan (FoE Japan) is beginning a fund that will support clean up and reconstruction efforts of the devastated Japanese villages.
**Our Patagonia correspondents are actively seeking out additional groups to support, and as more options become available, we will add updates to this post.
UPDATE 4.19.11: Lisa & Kenji have been away volunteering in Ishinomaki – one of the worst hit places – and are now back online. They’ve helped us identify a new nonprofit partner to whom you may donate your 1%:
Mori wa Umi no Koibito (“The Forest is the Ocean’s Love”). This group is based in Kesenuma (one of the worst damaged places due to the fire that started from the leaked fuel from overturned ships) and is working on relief efforts in and around their community.
We were also excited to learn of a new Chari-tee, created through a partnership between 1% member companies Econscious and Endurance Conspiracy. 100% of proceeds from the sales of the organic cotton tee will support Friends of the Earth and the Japanese Red Cross.
We thank you greatly for your patience and support during this time. As natural disasters come unexpectedly and often times at humbling magnitudes, each entail unique and mindful responses. In light of this tragedy, we recognize that as majority of our members are not in Japan, it can be difficult to decipher how best to give your support. Rest assured that we’re diligently utilizing our incredible global network to most confidently guide our members about how best to leverage their donations. With a strong network, we’re most aware and proud of the great potential our member companies and nonprofit partners withhold to significantly assist in the recovery efforts in Japan. Thank you for your support and be sure to check back for updates.
