Although 1% for the Planet is based in a small town in central Vermont, we have made an impact internationally over and over again. We love to hear stories or about specific events that have taken place because of a 1% FTP connection! We recently found out that one of our business members, Frugi, donated £8232 to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Over the last few years, they have given over £20,000 to the Trust!
Frugi is an organic baby and children’s clothing company based in Helston, Cornwall, England. They have always wanted to make a positive difference in the community and in their customer’s lives. They make comfortable, high quality clothing that children love to wear, and have always recognized the importance of supporting local environmental causes. This money has allowed for the Trust to continue supporting environmental initiatives in the Cornwall area. Their mission is to maintain biodiversity in nature and to have everyone in the community enjoy and appreciate its beauty. In honor of this large donation, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust hosted an event, at which seventy people showed up to thank Frugi for their generosity!
Photo taken by Sheila McCann-Downes
We are proud and thankful for the work and support that both groups have given since making their commitment to 1%!
As most of you probably know, Klean Kanteen has created the ideal water bottle for both cold and hot drinks. However, you might not know that since joining 1% for the Planet, they have donated a portion of their sales to Bridging the Gap by Giving, a group based in Chico, CA. Bridging the Gap by Giving has made it a goal of theirs to raise money in support of clean water projects in developing countries. They host an annual event called “Walk4Water”, where people have a chance to make a two or five kilometer trek while carrying a bucket of water, to mimic the work that African women do everyday so their families are able to drink, cook and clean. This past year, in the third year of this event, they raised $19,500, which will allow for 1,114 Africans to have clean water for the rest of their lives. The money raised by donations from groups like Klean Kanteen and events like Walk4Water has been given to groups in Western Africa to fund safe water projects. This video was made after last year’s Walk4Water event. Thank you to both Klean Kanteen and Bridging the Gap by Giving for making it possible for so many people to have access to clean drinking water.
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.
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.
If you want to really understand something, you should go to the source. And if you are interested in seeing sustainable transportation in action, you have to go to Portland, Oregon; the epicenter of bike culture and sustainable community design.
Last week on a beautiful summer evening, more than 70 people — 1% member companies, 1% NGO partners, along with Patagonia customers and other interested folks dropped into Patagonia Portland for an update on sustainable transportation initiatives.
New Belgium Brewing- Follow your Folly Bicycle
We heard from Dan Powell, co-founder of Portland Design Works, a 1% member company that makes great bike accessories, about why he and his partner decided to locate their company in Portland. While they loved Wisconsin, Portland is “the place” for people who love bikes and biking in the United States. He loves being a part of a community where nearly 6% of the residents make their daily commute to work or school on a bike. This is a much higher percentage than is found in communities around the United States.
Gerik Kransky, Bicycle Transportation Alliance (left) and Dan Powell, Portland Design Works (Right)
Dan and his partner wanted to build investment in environmental NGOs into their business model right from the start, and made the decision to become a 1% member. They support the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and work in partnership to help make Portland and other communities in Oregon more bike friendly.
Gerik Kransky, Advocacy Director for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, gave an update on biking issues at the local, state and federal levels. BTA is working to get funding for a bike sharing program in Portland, as well as advocating for bike friendly policies at the state and federal level. The BTA is a 1% NGO Recipient supported by six 1% member companies, five of whom are based in Oregon.
After the presentation, we got a chance to eat some great local, organic food and look at a display showing products from many Portland area companies involved in biking including Sweet Pea Bicycles, Truce and Patagonia.
1% Member Products on Display
Looking forward to seeing you all again on July 28th, at the final Eco-Trust Sunset Concert. Bring your friends and co-workers!
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!
Last Wednesday, kicked off 1%’s summer in Portland, OR with an event for members, non-profits and local sustainability leaders at Ecotrust’s Natural Capital Building.
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.
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
Last night Brittany and Brodie muscled (not motored) their way by bike to Onion River Sports just over the hill from 1% HQ in Montpelier, VT for a Patagonia Advocate Week event. Patagonia Footwear’s Advocate Weeks program is taking place at more than 80 independent retailers across the US this year. Inspired by Patagonia Footwear’s 1% for the Planet Advocate Moc, retailers select a local conservation NGO and Patagonia footwear donates $10 for each pair sold during a two week period, Onion River Sports chose to support the Green Mountain Club, a 1% recipient NGO that protects and maintains all 273 miles of Vermont’s Long Trail. Onion River Sports invited both Green Mountain Club as well as 1% to have tables in their store to explain how each organization worked as well as the details of the Advocate program. Onion River also showed appreciation to their patrons by having a table of snacks and drinks.
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!
