Stephen Ritz, Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson join Mad Marathon lineup; 1% for the Planet celebrates 10th anniversary

Waitsfield, VT — This July, Vermont’s Mad River Valley will host “The World’s Most Beautiful Marathon” the Mad Marathon, a 1% for the Planet event. While Sunday, July 7 is the official race day, the whole weekend is turning into a can’t miss summer event. The most recent additions to the weekend’s lineup include 1% for the Planet ambassadors Stephen Ritz, founder of Green Bronx Machine, and Dwight Ritcher and Nicole Nelson, both musicians and Vermont natives — Nicole is well known for her stint on the third season of “The Voice”. “Dwight and Nicole” will perform on Friday, July 5 and Ritz will speak about his experience teaching students how to grow vertical ‘living walls’ on July 6^th.

Ritcher, Nelson and Ritz are new to the 1% for the Planet family, and excited to be ambassadors as 1% for the Planet celebrates its 10^th year.

“Dwight and I are looking forward to performing at an event that does so much good, both for the environment and local and regional communities,” said Nelson.

Ritz added, “The Green Bronx Machine is thrilled to come to the Green Mountain State to celebrate our commitment to 1% For the Planet; proof that no matter where you live, work and play, together, we can all make a difference!”

In addition to speeches, musical performances and the official marathon, the weekend will host a fun run for kids and showcase 1% for the Planet’s hometown of Waitsfield, offering participants the chance to enjoy the local Farmer’s Market and cuisine on Saturday before the race.

“We are so honored to have Stephen, Dwight and Nicole join us for this year’s Mad Marathon and the celebration of our 10^th year,” said Terry Kellogg, CEO of 1% for the Planet. “The 1% for the Planet family is big and continues to grow, adding nonprofits, businesses, ambassadors and media partners. This event allows us to highlight all of these different groups that come together through our network to make good. Honestly, we can’t think of a better way or setting to have our network celebrate ten years of giving back to Blue.”

1% for the Planet announced its partnership with the Mad Marathon earlier this year, making the third annual Mad Marathon the first marathon dedicated to environmental sustainability. All funds raised by the 1% for the Planet team will be split among three nonprofit partnerships: The Staying Connected Initiative, The Bay Circuit Trail and The Penobscot River Restoration. 1% for the Planet New England nonprofit partners also have the opportunity to create individual teams and raise funds for their organization.

Aww the tasting extravaganza that is ExpoWest!

1% for the Planet was pleased to have a solid presence from our member companies Clif Bar, ECOlunchboxes, Spindrift, PeopleTowels, Harney & Sons and TruSweets.  Wherever we went, a bustling member booth was to be found: Janie Hoffman, of Mamma Chia, was debuting her new Chia Squeeze vitality snack; Neal, of Three Twins Ice Cream, sported his Three Twins branded shoes around the show while also talking about his delectable new ice cream sandwiches; Klean Kanteen started the party off right with a Happy Hour to benefit their 1% for the Planet recipient partner, 5 Gyres; Mark, at Ascenta Health, showed off their new animal supplement line; Caroline, at Elemental Herbs, presented her beautiful new sunscreen line; Elizabeth, at Purely Elizabeth, discussed her up ‘n coming Ancient Grains Oatmeal; and Wean Green lit up the party with their colorful glass containers and gelato party to benefit their 1% for the Planet recipient partner, Grades of Green.

You guys rocked it and it was truly a delight to find so many familiar faces amongst the masses!

While we walked the show quite a bit to check in with all those near and dear, Rebecca, Brodie, and I were also hugely grateful to be sharing a booth space with Nature’s Path EnviroKidz.  In the midst of what could quickly become sensory overload, having our home base at Nature’s Path was just what the thing.  Perhaps unbeknownst to some, Arran Stephens, founder of Nature’s Path, is also quite a gifted poet.  I, along with many others, was hugely grateful for Arran’s calming presence and thoughtful poems that he would share with us throughout the show.  Thank you, Arran!

And while the show is a busy space, it’s also hugely inspirational and a true coming together of so many wonderful people working to really make a difference.

Bud Sorenson, board member of Whole Foods Market and proud padre to our beloved 1% Development Director, Trina Peterson, walked the show floor with us, introducing us to his many friends exhibiting at the show, and also invited us to join him in the conference room where Whole Foods Market was announcing live that they would be requiring all products in their stores to include GMO labeling, to achieve full transparency by 2018.  After a busy fall working to support GMO labeling through our high impact partnership initiatives, we were very excited to hear this news, along with many of our attending member companies.  This step taken by Whole Foods Market is a prime example of how business can work to really make a difference on this planet.

Cheers to transparency and a great show!

“The gathering was life changing. Welcome to a revolution!”
—Paul Tryba, THE FARM, Long Beach, CA

Looking for a new kind of social investing for the 21st century? If so, plan to join Slow Money’s emerging network of thought leaders, investors, donors, farmers, social entrepreneurs and everyday folks for their 4th National Gathering this April in Boulder, CO. Two days of conversations, network building and action planning in a food-loving town. What could be better?

The list of speakers is phenomenal: the international founder of Slow Food Carlo Petrini; Wes Jackson, founder of The Land Institute, which for 30 years has conducted cutting-edge research on sustainable agriculture; Author Joan Gussow, who Michael Pollan has referred to as “my guru”; and many more.

There will also be investment presentations from two dozen small food enterprises and break out sessions on topics ranging from New Visions of Corporate Philanthropy to Exploring Seeds and Biodiversity to Impact Investing, plus the opportunity to collaborate with folks from around the country who are finding new ways to connect money, culture and the soil—including members of the 16 chapters channeling millions of dollars into local small food enterprises.

The Slow Money National Gathering brings together people who are rebuilding local food systems across the U.S. and around the world. More than 2,000 people attended the first three national gatherings—with over $22 million now invested in more than 185 small food enteprises!

Join this forward thinking group now. For details and to register, click here.

Join 1% for the Planet for a week this fall as we explore the French countryside by bike. Peddle through Provence farms and vineyards by day and toast sustainability by night.

CycleVentoux is a proud 1% for the Planet Member organizing fabulous European bicycle tours.  They will provide carbon fiber bikes and supported day rides through stunning Haute Provence landscapes, including the Gorge de la Nesque and the climb of Mt Ventoux.

Participants will stay in four-star accommodations and after riding each day, enjoy fine French cooking, Rhône valley wines, and spa amenities.  French-based 1% for the Planet member companies will be represented throughout the tour.

Daily options allow for varied riding intensities including cultural / rigorous cycling circuits of the Plateau de Vaucluse visiting Venasque, Gordes, Ménerbes and Murs.

Click to read more about 1% for the Planet Tours or e-mail for pricing information, leah@onepercentfortheplanet.org. This trip is designed for 8-12 participants; join individually, as a couple, or book the whole trip.

As you might have heard, this year we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary.  One of our big anniversary events will take place right here in our home town. We have joined forces with the Mad Marathon in Waitsfield, VT to create the first ever 1% for the Planet Mad Marathon designed to support the nonprofits and partnerships that protect the places we play.

WE WANT YOUR COMPANY HERE. Come celebrate the planet with us!

Save the date: Sunday, July 7, 2013 - Race Day
July 6th, 2013 – Kids run and 1% for the Planet (1% FTP) network meet-up

The marathon is a way to:

• -Grow our movement
• -Celebrate your company’s commitment, and
• -Raise funds for environmental organizations

There are three ways you can get involved:

1. Sponsor the race
There are various levels of sponsorship available.  Your sponsorship is considered a donation and part of your 1% FTP commitment for 2013.

• -be included in a virtual bag and a physical bag for participating runners
• -be highlighted in the 10th Anniversary marketplace grand opening

2. Donate product
If sponsorship is not in your company’s budget for this year, product donations for prizes and raffles are a great option. Remember, 25% of your company’s 1% annual commitment can be in-kind donations and/or employee volunteer time.

3. Run for a cause
Your company can support a nonprofit team by either running for or donating to them. Last year one nonprofit earned over $27,000! 1% FTP will also have a team fundraising on behalf of high impact partnerships in the region.

Next steps:

• -Email or call us at 802-496-5408. Please let us know if you have any questions and/or how you’d like to be involved
• -Join our event page on Facebook
• -Stay tuned for other ways to participate over that weekend

We’re looking forward to celebrating all that you do to support our network. Start your training!

Water is the new oil, right? Not only do we each directly consume water every day for drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning and tending our lawns, we also use water indirectly, as water “embedded” in the products and services we buy. Thus, in the same way we each have a carbon footprint we also have a water footprint. A water footprint is the total volume of freshwater used directly and indirectly to produce the goods and services consumed by an individual, community, company or nation. This includes the amount of “green water”, or rainwater consumed in the production process and to grow crops, “blue water”, or surface and groundwater consumed, and “greywater”, the amount of freshwater polluted as a result of the process.

To put this in perspective, a cup of coffee requires about 37 gallons of water to produce; it takes 6.5 gallons to grow a pound of carrots and 108 gallons to grow a pound of corn; 1,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef, 2,200 gallons for a pair of blue jeans, 25 gallons for a kilowatt-hour of electricity. The average person in the United States consumes more than 750,000 gallons of water each year via the products and services they purchase—representing the highest per capita water footprint in the world. By contrast, nations like Guatemala, Kenya, and Afghanistan have water footprints less than 200,000 gallons per person per year.

During the month of February, the Taking on Water Challenge will issue a new charge each Tuesday to help you reduce your water footprint. Challenges will be straight-forward and relatively easy to achieve. Along with each task, you’ll learn why your choice is important, and how much water you can save if you undertake the pledge for a week—or better yet, make it permanent. By the end of the month, your combined actions could save more than 1,500 gallons per week. If you stick with these changes, you can save over 6,000 gallons each month or nearly 80,000 gallons of water in a year’s time. Along the way, we’ll provide you with additional resources and water saving ideas you can bring to your life. We hope that once you figure out how easy it can be to be water wise, you’ll put what you learn to good use. At the end of the month, we’ll draw a winner for a Taking on Water prize!

For more background on our water footprints, start here with my Water Deva Cheat Sheet and 12 Ways to Reduce Your Water Footprint. And, please help us spread the word through your social media networks. Every drop counts!

To enter to win the Taking on Water Challenge, pledge to decrease your water footprint by leaving a comment on Wendy’s blog.

The members I supported this holiday season:

POP Paddleboards – Anaheim, CA

Patagonia – Ventura, CA

Harney & Sons Fine Teas – Millerton, NY

Salsabol – San Francisco, CA

Skinny Pancake – Burlington, VT

Fine Featherheads – Boulder, CO

Klean Kanteen – Chico, CA

Pura Vida Bracelets – San Diego, CA

Planet Petco – San Diego, CA

I’d like to give major props to POP Paddleboards for shipping me one of their awesome “Classico” boards from Anaheim. It was a bit of an adventure to figure out how to get this 10’6” board into my house, as well as where to store it until we can play with it this summer- but we managed! Nick was super helpful and I would highly recommend checking out their products next time you’re looking for an awesome gift.

Created by a family of watermen, POP Paddleboards is an emerging lifestyle brand in the stand up paddleboard (SUP) industry. Characterized by a unique color palette, their range of lightweight, high performance SUP boards are shaped for riders near and far across all bodies of water. Headquartered in Southern California, POP’s mission is to branch out and inspire those near a river, lake, or ocean to stand up and paddle. They want to develop an all-encompassing, inclusive identity for the paddleboarding lifestyle that encourages fitness, exploration, and fun. POP makes their boards easily accessible to the masses via poppaddleboards.com and shops across the country.

POP understands that paddleboarding couldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Mother Nature and her incredible lakes, beaches and scenic backdrops. Partnering with 1% FTP was a no-brainer for the crew at POP, because they have made it their responsibility to ensure that generations to come can experience these moments on the water’s surface. The POP crew is influenced by the 1% FTP network and is excited to see what part they have in making the planet a better place. Like any business, they couldn’t do it without their customers, who are indirectly the engine that drives 1% FTP. They’re excited to work with you to find a board that fits well with your lifestyle- whether it be salty or fresh!

Although I technically got this paddleboard for my mom, I’m definitely looking forward to getting it out on the lake this summer! If only it wasn’t 33 degrees here today… In the spirit of a new year, how about we all make a resolution to support 1% for the Planet members whenever possible. Next time you need some tea, coffee, chocolate, a new jacket, or even a paddleboard, make sure to check out our website to see which companies are giving back to the planet everyday through their 1% FTP commitment. Trust me, you’ll feel good about it!

We want to see which 1% for the Planet network affiliates you are supporting this holiday season!

Whether it’s a bracelet for your daughter, coffee and tea for your parents or some energy bars for your active friends- we hope you consider purchasing these items from our members. By supporting 1% FTP members, you are indirectly giving back to our nonprofit partners who are working to save Mother Earth. If you’re more interested in supporting a nonprofit directly, use our database to search for the right one and make a donation in honor of a loved one!

So when you receive that Patagonia fleece you’ve always wanted, or a POP Paddleboard that you can’t wait to use- take a picture of it! Post these pics on Instagram & Twitter and tag us using “#LoveYourMother” for a chance to win a 4-pack of Klean Kanteen steel pints!

Happy holidays from all of us at 1% for the Planet!

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!

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!