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!

Waitsfield, VT (August 15, 2011) 1% for the Planet, a global network of businesses that invest at least 1% of their sales in organizations focused on sustainability, and Outside, a media leader in the active lifestyle, outdoor, travel and adventure markets, are up to something… partnering to make the planet a better place. Their partnership is a multi-media one, spanning print, digital and broadcast, with the goal of building awareness of the important work of the 1% for the Planet network.

“The sustainability of business is directly tied to the sustainability of our natural environment,” said Christopher Keyes, Editor of Outside Magazine and OutsideOnline.com. “Corporate giving can have an enormously positive impact on our planet and joining 1% for the Planet is one of the simplest ways to make that happen.”

“Companies and non-profits working together to make big, positive environmental change happen is big news; consumers should know about that and encourage companies to contribute; this partnership enables just that” says Melody Badgett, SVP 1% for the Planet.

The partnership will reach millions of consumers annually and include Outside Magazine, Outside Online and Outside Television properties. The alliance was announced in the Keep Earth in Business editorial in Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work September issue and takes effect immediately.

“Outside’s leadership position in the industry, along with their sustainable corporate ethos, make them and ideal partner for 1% as we continue to encourage businesses to take a lead role in environmental stewardship” said 1% CEO Terry Kellogg.

1% for the Planet is proud to work with 25 media partners including Mother Jones, Utne Reader and CSR Wire. Each media partner commits to giving 1% for the Planet at least 1% of their advertising inventory to help grow the power and reach of the movement.

For more information on 1% for the Planet, our members and the environmental non-profits they support, and our media partners please visit us at http://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/en/.

About 1% for the Planet
1% for the Planet exists to build and support an alliance of companies financially committed to creating a healthy planet. Launched by Yvon Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia and Craig Mathews, Owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, in late 2002, 1400+ 1% member companies can now be found in 44 countries around the world. 1% members give at least 1% of their revenues directly to non-profit organizations focused on issues of sustainability. ###