Welcome to our newest members!

Waitsfield, Vermont, like most ski towns, is filled with people who are generally pretty darn happy. The social life of a Valley resident (or a 1% for the Planet employee) revolves around enthusiastic discussion of the outdoor pursuit du jour, or actually getting out and partaking wholeheartedly in that activity. Grins are standard. But this December has been a different story.

When weather doesn’t cooperate, people take a turn to the dark side… especially in the early winter when memories of the previous season’s bounty tantalize us. This past week I’ve seen people stare up at the sky with looks on their faces usually only employed by seven year olds hoping to reprimand their parents for withholding desert. The feeling of tension in town is palpable, and our office is not immune.

Thankfully, release came today with 2-6 inches of new snow over fast grass at Mad River Glen. The 1% team, sporting grins once more, was there early to welcome winter to the valley by hiking a few early morning runs. All this welcoming has me thinking about another long-overdue welcome–the one we owe our most recent 1% members!

Bamboodha is the first out of the gate this week. They’re based in Australia but will ship their bamboo towels anywhere. And best of all, they’re giving away copies of the 1% for the Planet CD! If you haven’t heard it yet, check it out.

The Aromatropolis The Aromatropolis retails printed materials online which concisely convey the complex properties of essential oils.  This is an emerging, woman-owned business developing media in different formats to enhance the experience of the essential oil enthusiast.  Currently they offer a limited-edition, 18″x24″ print and carrying card relating the properties of the twenty most common essential oils.  Future plans include the development of brick-and-mortar locations to retail their products and create healing environments for patrons. The Aromatropolis and parent company Bright Blue Green LLC seek to raise the bar for environmental and social responsibility in business.

David C Dixon LLC offers LEED and sustainability consulting to Food and Beverage corporations. David, proprietor and avid outdoorsman (who would have fit in well at Mad River this morning), has been involved in some of the largest LEED food manufacturing facilities built in the past 6 years, and has helped name brand companies reduce their environmental impact and pursue “closed-loop” technologies. David says that “1% for the Planet is a great initiative which can offer corporate decision makers a “brand” similar to LEED that they can trust, that earns them recognition, and provides funding for vetted organizations.” Glad to have you David!

Keep your eye on Exout for deals on outdoor gear for every sort of pursuit, summer or winter. You’ll find steals for members as low as 70% off retail–stock up and feel good that 1% is going back to the environment!

Gone Surfing Hawaii specializes in surf lessons and customized surf tours in the Hawaiian Islands. Need a break from winter? Check ‘em out!

The Green Line‘s proprietor Janine on coming to 1%: “Discovering 1% For The Planet was the missing to piece to my puzzle.  I always knew I wanted to give back but I didn’t have the proper platform.  Since becoming a 1% member, now I have the resources to do what I always wanted to do:  Give back to something meaningful to me.” Janine is giving to Oceana, so when you purchase her jewelry you’ll know her 1% is going to a good cause!

Hug on a Rug is based in our very own state of Vermont and offers hand-made rugs. They’re still working on their web presence but check back soon to see what they’re up to.

Integral Dialogue Project is a consulting company committed to the greater purpose of “co-creating a better world by empowering people to lead.” They believe we all possess interpersonal greatness. By facilitating and engaging individuals and organizations in generative dialogue there exist the potential to create this ‘better world’ through a sharing process of innovative perspectives – and transformational change.

Integral Ecology Group is a specialist company focusing on applied ecological and cultural research by providing consulting services that interface between human land uses and their supporting and surrounding environments. They have done everything from reclamation projects following source extraction to analysis of traditional land use.

KAVAJ has you covered when it comes to protecting your iPad, Xoom or other tablets with great looking cases.

Ever hear that Uncle Cracker song with the line about being “as cool as the flip side of my pillow?” Well… Polar Pillow is an award-winning cooling pillow that uses specialized gel technology to generate coolness. PolarPillow has identified Philippe Cousteau’s EarthEcho International as its first beneficiary, and will be helping to inspire the next generation to care for the earth.

Tulan supplies everything you need for yoga, from mats to clothing and you can feel good about buying from them!

Welcome all!

Tags: "1% for the planet", 1% members, 1%FTP, climate, energy, Mad River Glen, One Percent for the Planet, polar pillow, sustainability
Posted in 1% For The Planet Community, Monthly Member Updates, News

New faces at 1%

When I pick up the phone at 1% I’m always prepared for a surprise. Eight months after my first phone call I’ve finally figured out that solicitations from Publishers Clearing House usually don’t pan out, but I still get excited. While I’ll be the first to admit that I consider myself among the “One Percent,” our fringe benefits come in the form of lunch time yogs, not yachts. An extra million here or there wouldn’t hurt. When I answer and it’s Jeff Denholm, founder of Atira Systems and Patagonia ambassador on the line, it’s almost as good as winning big.

Jeff’s company provides fire protection services that mitigate the highly detrimental environmental and health effects of fighting wildfires. He and his team (advised by luminaries including Nell Newman and Rick Ridgeway) have reworked every facet of the industry to eliminate harmful chemicals and carcinogens that are hazardous to firefighters on the front line and equally bad for the ecosystems they work to protect. To top it off, Atira Systems is now a 1% for the Planet member.

Check out Jeff’s remarkable story:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuS3QuInGoo&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL528898BF7EBA380D

New member Château de Chéronne can take you back to the 1500′s when the castle-turned-weekend-escape was constructed on 400 hectares of woodlands in the Perche Sarthois. The moat and drawbridges were removed in the  17th century to make it easier for guest to join them for overnights and special events.

Dancing Snow is a Japan-based company that specializes in providing their clients to the deepest powder turns of their lives. Let them introduce you to the kind of fluffy white stuff that makes you drool at Teton Gravity Research premiers every fall. In the summers they offer kayaking tours to boot!

Eden Groupe joins us from France and specializes in real estate development with a conscience, giving back 1% of everything they do!

Expedition Broker is based in Haines, Alaska, a recreation paradise (having lived there for two summers I can vouch!). Let owner Greg Schlachter set you up with the finest guides the area has to offer for your next fishing, skiing, climbing or surfing–yes, Alaskan surfing–adventure.

HDRcreme

Tags: "1% for the planet", 1% members, 1%FTP, Château de Chéronne, Eden Groupe, expedition broker, fire, France, new members, One Percent for the Planet, Patagonia, philanthropy, ski, skiing
Posted in 1% For The Planet Community, Members, Monthly Member Updates, News

1% for the Planet co-founder Yvon Chouinard among America’s Best Leaders

We are pleased to share that 1% for the Planet co-founder Yvon Chouinard and the 1% for the Planet community have received a leadership nod by U.S. News & World Report for their commitment to revolutionizing the way business is done on this planet.

To join the movement with your business’s membership please contact us at memberships@onepercentfortheplanet.org.

For the full article please click here. Please click here to learn of the 20 fellow honorees of America’s Best Leaders for 2009.

Tags: "1% for the planet", 1% Founders, 1% members, America's Best Leaders, One Percent for the Planet, Patagonia, U.S. News and World Report, YC, Yvon Chouinard
Posted in 1% For The Planet Community, Announcement, Media, Members, News, Our Team

International Day of Climate Action – Saturday, Oct. 24th

This Saturday we encourage you to drop all plans, grab your circle of friends and family, and join the big circle, our global community, in action for 1% for the Planet Non-Profit Partner 350.org‘s International Day of Climate Action. Voice, act, dance, paddle, ring, play, sing, whatever you can offer, in show of your support for the number 350, representing 350 parts per million, the scientifically backed “safe upper limit” for CO2 in our atmosphere. With creative events and gatherings across the globe, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with this powerful message that affects us all. Click here to find out what’s happening nearest you.

How are we celebrating? You can find us at Vermont’s 350 Dance Party at Higher Ground in Burlington. Headlined by 1% for the Planet member Barefoot Truth (member since Jan. ’08) the show will be simulcast online and on cable throughout the state so all can join.

1% for the Planet will also have a presence in New York City, circumnavigating Manhattan Island with a group in kayaks stenciled by area students.

Calling all 1% for the Planet members, if you’re participating in a 350 action this Saturday, please write me at kate@onepercentfortheplanet.org. We’d be happy to share your support with updates to our blog post here!

Tags: "1% for the planet", 1% members, 1% Non-Profits, 350 ppm, 350.org, Barefoot Truth, Burlington, Circumnavigating Manhattan Island, Higher Ground, International Day of Climate Action, New York City, NYC, October 24th, One Percent for the Planet, Vermont, VT
Posted in 1% For The Planet Community, Announcement, Events, Media, Members, News, Non-Profit Recipients, Our Team

1% member ranks among America’s fastest growing companies

Mountain Khakis has been listed in Inc.’s top 500, ranking #404 in all and #34 in the Consumer Products and Services Industry. Their growth, clocked at 638% from 2005 to 2008, can be attributed to the exceptional focus and quality of their product – a hardy pant.

Another key to Mountain Khakis’ resonation with consumers is also indicated by their prominent waving of their 1% for the Planet membership logo, from the very beginning. Yes we are pleased to reveal that Mountain Khakis signed on as 1% member when they first launched the company in 2004.

A wonderful testament to the age old song, “you need to give in order to receive”, we learn with Mountain Khakis that this is indeed applicable in the world of business. Inc. concurs revealing, “If you want to know which companies are going to change the world, look at the Inc. 500″. For more information on Mountain Khakis’ success click here.

Tags: "1% for the planet", 1% members, Consumer Products and Services, Inc., Inc. 500, MK, Mountain Khakis, One Percent for the Planet
Posted in Announcement, Members, News