Our 1% member, The Boatyard Bar and Grill in Eastport, Maryland had some high-profile guests for lunch recently. First lady, Michelle, and daughter, Sasha, dropped in for lunch with family and friends while in the area touring the Maryland State House and Naval Academy. The Boatyard owner, Dick Franyo said, “The first lady ordered the crab cakes and loved them!”
The Boatyard Bar and Grill comes highly recommended by everyone here at 1% and now the first family!
Michelle Obama and the Boatyard Bar and Grill Staff
To read the full story about the Obama visit or to learn more about the environmental commitment the Boatyard has made, check out their website.
Each year around this time, skiers and snowboarders start to pine for new gear, check out long range forecasts, and get pumped for the new TGR film. This year’s offering, Deeper, is an awesome ( and we really mean it…) collaboration between 1% member Teton Gravity Research and 1% non-profit recipient Protect Our Winters (POW), featuring an all star roster of big mountain riders including POW’s founder, Jeremy Jones. This full circle partnership strives to create a greener winter sports industry by protecting the environment that inspires the riders.
On foot, 65 miles from civilization, braving sub zero temperatures, and fighting week-long storms, Deeper places a handful of world’s premier snowboarders in hot pursuit of the ultimate in big mountain riding while leaving the helicopters and their emissions at home. “The Deeper crew put cameras in places and in conditions you could never imagine. It is the ultimate first-hand experience and the most insane riding I have ever seen,” said TGR co-founder, Steve Jones.
Along with fellow 1% members Tactics, Venture Snowboards, Clif, and Volcom, TGR’s partnership with POW is leading the winter sports industry towards a more sustainable future. Deeper hits the road this fall–check here for a screening near you–we’ll see you out there!
BREAKING: Our members in France are now celebrating their 100th 103rd member! But before we missed the 100th member party entirely, our very own Marketing VP, Melody, caught up with 1% member / photographer Emmanuel Donfut from his company Balao for a Skype interview and inspiring slideshow. Watch a couple minutes in for a view of 1% in France through a camera’s lens.
With this aptly chosen reenactment of the famous French Revolution painting, Liberty Leading the People, member companies on the French Riviera celebrate a present-day tour de force: 100 members of 1% for the Planet… and counting!
Getting members together for a networking event is a great way to share sustainability stories, recruit prospective companies to join, collaborate around a new giving project, or show off the great people, companies, and non-profits behind 1%. Big thanks — and CONGRATULATIONS — to the 1% members in France for expanding the pool of funding going to environmental projects each year.
30 years ago, 1% for the Planet co-founder Craig Mathews translated his passion for fly-fishing into a successful business. Blue Ribbon Flies, in West Yellowstone, MT, was founded on a strong commitment to protect, preserve and enhance our natural environment. When Craig and Yvon hatched the concept for 1% on a fishing trip, it also served as inspiration to form a global network of over 1,300 businesses worldwide. Since then, Blue Ribbon Flies has been honored with many environmental and conservation awards, notably The Nature Conservancy’s Business Conservation Award for their efforts protecting wild trout habitat. “You, and I, and everyone who loves wild trout fishing and wild places need to change both peoples’ and businesses perspective of the work that environmentalists do.” Craig said in a recent presentation. Big thanks to Craig for his vision and to Blue Ribbon Flies for leading others to Keep Earth in Business for the last 30 years. Now, let’s go fishing!
Soon after the traumatic earthquake in Haiti, our inboxes filled and phones rang here at 1% with member inquiries about how one might use their 1% donation to assist the shaken country. We reached out to our nonprofits, and wrote a blog post about how 1% members may support the relief efforts in Haiti. Since then, we’ve had the pleasure of seeing many member donations directed towards sustainable relief and re-development in Haiti, as well as personal thank you notes from our partner organizations. Now, in light of six months of hard work on the ground, we offer a follow up from our friends, Plant With Purpose. Bob Morikawa, Plant With Purposes’s Technical Director, who spent six weeks in Haiti over a period of four months, shares the story of Nelta Fils-Aime:
Nelta Fils-Aime was one of the hundreds of thousands of Haitians forced to flee Port-au-Prince and relocate in the countryside. This influx of people into the countryside put an immense burden on already poor rural families, boosting family sizes from 6 or 7 members to 10 or 12. Meals per day dropped to just one or less. But, with fierce hope and hard work, Nelta joined Plant With Purpose’s “Cash for Work” program, which compensates those helping to restore the steep slopes that farmers are forced to farm to sustain themselves. Through this soil conservation work, Nelta has been able to contribute to her father’s household, making money for her family, while simultaneously prepping the soils, which will soon provide the community with garden crops. Nelta is one of the many courageous Haitians working to provide sustenance for her family and her neighbors, every day bettering the dire situation in Haiti bit by bit.
As Bob Morikawa recounts, ‘The work is far from over. Haiti was one of the poorest countries in the world even before January 12th and I had always thought that people were living on the edge. It turns out that now that ‘edge’ has been moved to a place I simply would never have imagined. It is surely a testament to the resilience of the people of Haiti, and as a locally popular song inspired by these events says “Haiti is on its knees, but not down yet.”‘ If you would like to read the full article please click here.
Like you, we are horrified by the daily reports and images coming from the Gulf of Mexico. Even under the best-case scenarios for stemming the flow of crude, the BP disaster will impact an entire region’s environment and economy for years to come. In the short skype interview below, 1%’s Terry Kellogg catches up with Aaron Viles, Campaign Director of Gulf Restoration Network, on The Gulf Coast Fund’s efforts to support on-the-ground response to the current oil situation in the Gulf.
At the core of The Gulf Coast Fund model is an impressive Advisory Group comprising policy advocates, community activists, and grassroots organizers who are helping direct funds where they are needed most. Since April’s explosion, the Fund has given over $150,000 in grants for efforts like independent monitoring, buying safety equipment for clean-up workers, and mapping where oil is coming ashore. The full transcript of the interview is posted below.
If you have specific questions about the Fund, please contact Annie at Gulf Coast Fund (annie@gulfcoastfund.org).
– — interview transcript — – Terry: I’m Terry Kellogg with 1% for the Planet and we’re here with Aaron Viles, Campaign Director for the Gulf Restoration Network and we’re going to talk about the Gulf Coast Fund which was set up by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, post Katrina.
Thanks for joining us Aaron, can you tell us how the fund works and what it’s doing right now in the wake of the BP disaster?
Aaron: The fund is really an interesting endeavor; it’s a unique way of doing philanthropy. As much as the Rockefeller name may evoke certain things what it really is, is folks on the ground in the gulf coast, the folks who have been working in these communities before the storms and working with the racial, social and environmental injustices that were really exposed by the storms of 2005. They’re the folks who are in control, who are directing resources, who are responding to community requests and who are making sure philanthropic dollars are being utilized effectively. It worked very well post storm and it’s working incredibly well right now, as we’re, unfortunately, facing another disaster that’s threatening the future of the north central gulf coast. They made emergency grants immediately, working with the first responder environmental community making sure there were independent eyes and ears working to assess what was happening here and responding to what was happening here, even as BP was denying that there was a problem or downplaying the severity of it. We had folks like the Waterkeepers, like Gulf Restoration Network, LEAN (Louisiana Environmental Action Network), who had the resources to respond and I think that was critical. Now as they move on and as the coastal communities really are impacted as our traditional maritime and fishing communities are really questioning their future and concerned about what is happening here. They’re able to work in those communities and support the groups that are doing the effective movement building to help these communities have the resources to fight for their future.
Terry: Outstanding. Aaron, what can you tell us about what’s happening on the ground but isn’t making it through to the mainstream media channels?
Aaron: Well, I just think that there is an incredible amount of apprehension in the coastal communities, these are folks who hadn’t truly recovered from the storms of 2005 then 2008 which didn’t get much attention but Gustav and Ike really put a wall up on a lot of our Gulf Coast communities that are, right now, really threatened with some very real problems, fishing grounds have been closed so their traditional way of life has been jeopardized. As BP’s oil comes into these marshes we’re not sure what the long term effects will be. How many shrimp seasons are going to be impacted here? How many oyster reefs are going to ultimately be shut down for a season or for a longer term? What this is doing is creating a lot of tension in these communities, so that’s important. The other piece that I think isn’t getting out is how much BP is trying to keep the story from getting out. I think to some degree they’re being affective, which is really unfortunate because the world really needs to see what’s really happening down here. They don’t need to see a sanitized version, they need to see what’s going on, and that’s been a struggle for us as an independent organization, to get the word out.
Terry: Do you think this disaster is going to help to inspire people to change their consumption of fossil fuels?
Aaron: You know, as I sit here and as I see what’s happening in the Gulf of Mexico and see the tension in the Gulf Coast communities and their fear for their future, I think that’s the only thing that gives any hope that we could learn something after this. I think that sometimes it takes a horrific shock to get people to change. We now see at large, what the cost of our oil addiction really looks like and what its impacts are on very important communities. I would hope that at a minimum we as a nation make a commitment to do everything in our power to keep this from happening again. That’s some very simple things, like making sure the regulatory agencies are in fact regulatory agencies and not just subsidiaries of the oil industry. But I also think it means we make a shift as a nation and, the easy things first, move our transportation sector off of oil. I don’t think people care what’s under the hood that gets them from point A to point B. As electric cars become more and more available we just need to make the move and force the move [which] means we need leadership. So I think that’s a really important piece that should happen sooner rather than later because this ecosystem cannot take another disaster like this.
Terry: Let’s hope that Obama makes that very clear call tonight in his remarks [from] the Oval Office, which would be outstanding. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Aaron: Well, I think what I would like to say is that the Gulf Restoration Network and the Gulf Coast Fund are happy to have the support of 1% for the Planet because we are seeing right now the worst examples of corporate bad actors and folks who are willing to cut corners and deny problems they have created, it’s important that corporations respond with a responsible approach to our environment, not just green-washing but a real commitment to do things right and to minimize their impacts as much as humanly possible. So, as Tony Hayward is out there making a bad name for corporations, especially those who tried to brand themselves green, I think it’s really important — the work that you do — to help corporations be truly responsible. That needs to be really lifted up and I hope a lot of corporations take advantage of the opportunities you provide. It’s important right now.
Terry: Well, thank you for saying so. We certainly hope that this issue also brings attention to the best practices for corporate behavior and that 1% grows as a result as well. Thank you very much for the great work that you’re doing on the ground, keep it up, I know it must be exhausting but were all rooting for you and hopefully we can get some support for the fund through this initiative.
Thank you again for your time and your perspective Aaron, all the best.
Next month, 1% staffers will be spread far and wide, connecting with members, non-profits, prospective members and key influencers at a smorgasbord of conferences and events. Besides Sustainable Brands, you’ll be able to find us at:
We’re looking forward to this gathering of thought leaders, investors, donors, entrepreneurs, farmers, and activists, taking place (nearly) in our backyard at historic Shelburne farms. Slow Money’s Second National Gathering will feature a star-studded line-up of speakers and the chance to hear investment presentations from two dozen small food enterprises and collaborate with folks from around the country who are finding new ways to connect money, culture and the soil.
If you think you might like to attend, check out the Slow Money website for more details and to register. As an added bonus, 1% members and friends can received a 20% discount off standard registration rates by entering code 1%fortheplanet to register for the gathering and 1%fortheplanet+dinner if you’d also like to register for the Friday night farm table dinner celebration.
1% for the Planet is sponsoring the LOHAS Forum this year, a packed, two-day conference that will feature presentations by 1% CEO Terry Kellogg, and a variety of leaders in the LOHAS market sector. The Forum will bring together companies large and small, media, and marketing experts to discuss the latest trends and opportunities in the in the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability marketplace.
We’re happy to offer the 1% community a discount on registration to this engaging forum—just use code LF20 when you register. As an added bonus through May 31, you can buy one pass and get the second for 50% off, too. We hope to see you there!
To download the entire MP3 audio file (36 min; 24.8 MB) right click (PC) or command click (Mac) on this link, then “Save Link As…”.
Join us Wednesday, May 12th, at 1:00 pm EDT (New York time) for a brown bag lunch call with Woody Tasch, founder and president of Slow Money, a nonprofit that connects investors to their local economies.
Today, a growing movement stands behind the idea that our lives would be richer if money would just slow down a bit. By directing our money into more local enterprise (remember the “buy local” and “eat local” movements?) the Slow Money team says we can take a vital first step toward building what they call a ‘nurture capital industry.’ But the truth is, investing locally just isn’t easy at this point. Take, for example, our retirement savings: when we put money away, those funds are teleported into a global capital market that shuffles around 3 trillion dollars each day. Imagine putting this money to work locally.
Next Wednesday, Woody Tasch will explain to us how moving towards more local economic principles can benefit our planet and everyone involved.
Enter your contact information below to sign up for the call. Then keep an eye out for an email will all the call-in instructions. The call, including a question and answer session with Woody, will last about an hour.
Registration is no longer available — this call has already taken place.
We’ve posted the recorded call above!
About Woody Tasch and Slow Money: Slow Money is a new nonprofit organizing an international movement to bring money back down to earth.
Founded by Woody Tasch, a pioneer in merging investing and philanthropy, Slow Money’s mission is to build local and national networks, and develop new financial products and services, dedicated to:
• investing in small food enterprises and local food systems;
• connecting investors to their local economies; and,
• building the nurture capital industry.
Can’t make the call? No problem — you can still submit a question. Just send an email with your name, location, and question to brownbag@onepercentfortheplanet.org. We’ll post the full audio recording of the call right on this blog following the call, so you can always peruse past BBL calls on your own schedule.
1% FTP settled itself quite literally at the intersection of business and the environment with our booth between member company Brushfire Records, and non-profit partner, Re-Use Hawaii! Not too far down the green, greetings were shared with other 1% organizations such as member companies, Muumuu Heaven, Patagonia and LLLLIFE, and non-profit recipients Sierra Club and Surfrider Foundation. Kokua was a spectacularly festive event, bringing together music junkies, outdoor enthusiasts, foodies, treehuggers, children, smiles and more – all great contributors to the 1% community!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello!! It was terrific to meet the faces behind the 1% network, be they members, non-profit partners, 1% fans and followers, or simply folks stopping by to get more information! Mahalo!!
P.S. As we await the release of Jack’s new album this June, check out his latest widgets!
1% CEO Terry Kellogg makes a bold statement today, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day: greening your business is not enough. Sure, office recycling programs, efficient buildings, and carpooling incentives show a commitment to protecting the planet, but environmental progress within a company can only go so far unless we change the context – the larger system in which all businesses operate.
1% for the Planet exists to change that context. Cheers to our 1,248 member companies whose commitment to financially supporting environmental work worldwide inspires the rest of the business community to step up to the plate!
Michelle Obama and the Boatyard Bar and Grill Staff
