Andrew M. Sidford Architects (ASA), 1% member since 2006 , was recently highlighted in North Shore Magazine for their innovative work in sustainable design and build.  An architectural firm from Newburyport, Massachusetts, ASA is one of the nations premier green building firms, Andrew, the owner, holds certifications from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as well as having procured Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Professional Accreditation (LEED AP).

Photo Courtesy of Andrew M. Sidford Architects

One of the firm’s recent projects that stands out is their recent renovation to The Carriage House.   This deteriorating barn got a new life with ASA’s green building techniques including recycled materials, geothermal heating/cooling as well as on site water reuse.

“Andrew Sidford Architects’ Carriage House Project has been profiled several times for its sustainable design, most recently in the North Shore Magazine.  The project is indeed special – it reprogrammed (lets just say saved!) a decaying antique barn while employing innovative green building technologies,” says a spokesperson for the firm.

Photo Courtesy of Andrew M. Sidford Architects

Projects like this one as well as the long standing relationships Andrew Sidford Architects has with their 1% non-profit recipients are what make them such extraordinary members and such a vital part of the 1% network.  Their continued support of 1% non-profits, Appalachian Mountain Club, Global Green Grants, Clean Air – Cool Planet, and Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) are what we here, at 1%, love to see.  Keep up the good work!

The 2011 Ecotrust Sundown Concert Series wrapped up Thursday night with an all-star showing of the 1% network! Throughout the concert series, 1% members and non-profit partners have been coming out every Thursday evening to exhibit their commitment to creating a healthier planet. But last week we got to see the whole 1% model in action with 1% member, Trew Gear and their 1% non-profit partner, Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute exhibited their longstanding partnership protect and promote the Columbia Gorge. This was the first week where it was a full partnership at the booth and it was great to see them laughing together and explaining their work together!

Photo Courtesy of Trew Gear

Trew Gear is a ski and snowboard clothing company based out of Hood River, Oregon.  They sell jackets, hats, t-shirts, hoodies, and pretty much anything else you would need for a great day of riding in the mountains.  Dedicated to sharing the “trewth” Trew gear joined 1% for the Planet in 2009 and has donated to the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute consistently each year.  They haven’t just handed out money either.  Tripp, John, and Chris are active volunteers with CGEI, showing that their commitment to the environment runs deep throughout their business.

Aaron and John enjoying their evening at the booth! Photo courtesy of Trew Gear

Aaron Morehouse, Executive Director of Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute, came out on Thursday evening to represent the NGO and their partnership.  Aaron works closely with the Trew crew on the projects that they fund and in facilitating their partnership.  CGEI works to promote knowledge and stewardship of the Columbia River Gorge canyon in Washington and Oregon.  They work with schools and other groups of people, taking them to the canyon and helping them find their place in the environment.

1% would like to thank Trew Gear and CGEI for coming out to last Thursday and for work together to create a healthy planet.  It is partnerships like these that speak to the power of the 1% model in action!

Over the last year, we have been working with the George Gund Foundation to increase environmental funding for the state through 1% awareness building and new member acquisition.

1% recently traveled to Cleveland, Ohio for the Burning River Festival hosted by Great Lakes Brewing. It was a gathering to celebrate good beer and music while raising awareness of local environmental issues. And also happened to be my first business trip!  Not many people get to have their first “business trip” be to a festival featuring local craft beer, three stages for constant music, local business vendors, and a dozen non-profits representing in the “eco village.”  The weather was HOT, especially coming from Vermont but it was an awesome experience, nonetheless.

In the eco-village, 1% was in familiar company with 1% NGO Recipients: The Sierra Club, The Trust for Public Lands, and Surfrider Foundation while making new connections with new regional NGO leaders.

We’d like to thank Great Lakes Brewing and all of the volunteers involved in organizing the festival.  It was a fantastic opportunity for 1% to explore a part of the country where we see great potential and inspiring to see Cleveland’s commitment to protecting and reinvesting in their local ecosystem.

Photo Courtesy of Focus the Nation

Last night was the third week of the Ecotrust Sundown Concert Series and the theme was energy, particularly alternative energy.  1% for the Planet had its usual tent and table, which was hosted by the fantastic Focus the Nation and sweet new member Skate Lift.  The NGO and business handed out t-shirts and stickers to the crowds of people who attended while sharing their 1% stories and getting to meet each other and discuss the 1% network.  They also got the chance to meet 1%’s VP of Organizational Development, Rebecca Calahan Klein who was in town for the day and made it to the show.

Photo Courtesy of Focus the Nation

We’d like to extend a big thank you to Anne and Sasha from Focus the Nation and Bobby and Anthony from Skate Lift for holding down the fort last night! If you’ll be in Portland make sure to stop by next Thursday at 5:30 for a great concert and exhibits with the theme of forests.

Last night kicked off the first week of Ecotrust’s Sundown Concert Series in downtown Portland.  Every Thursday, from 5:30 to 8:30 a local band plays while various businesses and non-profits exhibit work that is related to the theme of the week.  Last night’s theme was water and 1% NGO Western Rivers Conservancy was there to show and tell people what they do to make Oregon’s water purer and safer for ecosystems.  The crowd of about 600 people was able to wander through all of the tents and tables while listening to the awesome sounds of the Everyday Prophets.

Western Rivers Conservancy tabling (Photo Credit: Eric Brody)

The themes for the following weeks include:

July 7 — Food

July 14— Energy

July 21— Forests

July 28 — Reliable Prosperity

We’d like to thank Western Rivers Conservancy for exhibiting and a BIG thanks to Eric Brody from Shift Advantage for helping us coordinate the events.

Eric Brody of Shift Advantage working at the 1% table (Photo Credit: Eric Brody)

Come down to the Ecotrust parking lot on a Thursday night to meet some other 1% members and NGO’s exhibiting and listen to great music!

Photo Courtesy of canucks.NHL.com

We took a calculated risk last week in planning a 1% event in Vancouver in the midst of the Canucks run at the Stanley Cup.  The hockey gods managed to smile down on us, though, and scheduled games 3 and 4 of the series on either side of our June 7 event.

We welcomed around 40 people from 1% member companies, NGOs, and interested local businesses to the newly opened W2 Media Café in Vancouver on Tuesday to participate in a presentation and discussion with 1% and Mountain Equipment Co-op.  Esther Speck and Laurie Edward, who together lead MEC’s sustainability and community engagement initiatives, joined 1%’s own Melody Badgett to discuss the 1% model and its role in MEC’s overall sustainability program.

As the largest 1% member in Canada, MEC has given over $17 million to environmental causes its 40 year history, and a large portion of total since joining 1% in 2006.  MEC’s membership in 1% has driven major growth in giving and membership in Canada—when MEC joined in late 2006, we had 9 members in Canada.  Today that number has grown to 164, and Canada is one of the fastest growing regions in the 1% network thanks in large part to dozens of companies, from Victoria to Halifax.

After the presentation everyone was invited to stay for the member reception.  Kris Holm of Kris Holm Unicycle, our first Canadian member, spoke along with one of our newest Canadian members, Chris Winter from Big Mountain Bike Adventures, about their experience as 1% members.

We’d like to extend our great appreciation to everyone who came to hear the presentation, all of our members who attended, W2 Media Café, and Mike Rowlands from Octopus Strategies who helped us plan the event!  We look forward to growing the 1% community in Vancouver, and go Canucks!

Photo Courtesy of Klean Kanteen

The event topped the charts as the second largest gathering in 1% history with more than 70 people in attendance. As the rain held off, people mingled and listened to wonderful music performed by 1% member Garett Brennan and the Great Salt Licks. The energy of the crowd was fantastic; business members discussed their 1% commitment along side their non-profit partners and 1%’s very own, Rebecca provided an organizational update.
Thank you to Susan from Portland’s female athletic clothing company, Team Estrogen and Jeannie from Portland’s custom, artesian label-making company MyOwnLabels.com for speaking so passionately about their companies decision to join 1% for the Planet and the environmental organizations they support.

1% would like to thank everyone involved with the event and everyone who attended! You all made it a great night of networking and celebrating the 1% partnerships!

Photo Courtesy of Klean Kanteen

PS: See you soon! Come out to the Ecotrust’s Sundown Concert series every Thursday in July to continue to meet and build relationships within the 1% network.

Photo Courtesy of Brittany

This event kicked off a month at Onion River where donations will be made for each pair of shoes sold. Other Advocate Weeks like this are happening all over the country, supporting numerous NGO’s that are working to protect your favorite areas! Check out the Advocate Weeks microsite to find an event in your city.

And. If you’re still wondering what this program is all about, check out this video from Mountain Sports in Arizona about the Patagonia Advocate Weeks program—it’ll clear things up!

Image courtesey of The Good Planet Company

When The Good Planet Company, a Victoria, BC all-purpose eco store,  joined 1% this spring, they knew they had a great opportunity to inspire other local businesses to step up their support of environmental causes.   Last week, in celebration of Earth Day and their new membership, they hosted 1% members, non-profit partners, and friends at their store for an evening of food, drinks, and conversation.  When asked about their recent membership Co-Owner Ian Cromack says, “We are thrilled to be Victoria’s newest 1% For The Planet Member! To be working to along side other local businesses such as Hemp and Company and Not Just Pretty as well as environmental champions like Patagonia, Clif, and Jack Johnson is inspirational.”

Members, non-profits, friends, and other local businesses were invited to the event, which featured all organic food and drinks—including homemade, Earth-themed cake pops–that had been donated by various sources.  Derek Juno of The Good Planet Company says, “We used the event as an opportunity to challenge other businesses in Victoria to step up and start doing their part for this environment in which they live in and utilize everyday.”  The Good Planet Company also announced that they have chosen the Victoria Foundation to receive their donations.

This is a terrific example of how members can get involved and build relationships with one another and even connect and tell the story of 1% with potential members.  We’ve been lucky to experience what happens when members connect—no matter what size or industry, they’re inspired and energized to be part of a group of business leaders with similar vision, values, and commitment to the environment.  At 1%, we get very excited to hear and share stories like The Good Planet Company’s, and welcome accounts of events you’ve hosted or connections you’ve made with fellow members and NGOs!  In Ian Cromack’s words, “If a small brick and mortar retailer [like The Good Planet Company] can contribute to making the world a better place, so can you! So why aren’t you?”

Image courtesey of The Good Planet Company