At Vermont Woods Studios, we believe that businesses and individuals alike have a responsibility to not only care for their environment, but take proactive steps to have a positive impact on the earth. That’s why we’ve made such a strong commitment to sustainability. We source all our materials responsibly, everything we sell is made in the USA and built to last, we plant trees, and we steward a 109 acre forest at our headquarters in Southern Vermont. On top of that, we’re also now a member of 1% for the planet.
As part of our commitment to One Percent for the Planet, we allocate 1% of our revenue to support environmental causes. Most of that 1% is direct cash donations to approved environmental non profits. Here are some of our favorites:
1. 1% for the Planet
Did you know that only 3% of total philanthropic giving goes to environmental causes? 1% for the Planet is on a mission to change that. The organization was founded in 2002 by Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard, and Blue Ribbon Files founder, Craig Matthews, to prevent greenwashing, certify reputable giving, and create accountability for businesses.
The 1% for the Planet certification is given to businesses and individuals that meet its high-bar commitment of donating 1% of their annual sales or salary to environmental causes. However, anyone can donate to the nonprofit to increase its ability to direct resources to environmental organizations around the world.
2. La Cruz Habitat Protection Program
Our favorite climate-related nonprofit is La Cruz Habitat Protection Program. Also known as Forests for Monarchs, the organization plants hundreds of thousands of trees every year under the direction of co-founder Jose Luis Alvarez.
Through our close partnership with LCHPP (our CEO, Peggy, serves as the organization’s executive director), we planted almost 100,000 trees last year! Help us plant even more trees in 2023 by donating to LCHPP.
3. Protect Our Winters
In 2007, pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones saw that more and more of the resorts he’d counted on for good riding were closed due to lack of snow. Something was clearly going on, and he felt the need to act. But he couldn’t find any organizations focused on mobilizing the snow sports community on climate.
So, Jeremy founded Protect Our Winters to bring the snowsports community to action.
Pretty quickly, POW brought on other concerned pro athletes, individuals, resorts, brand partners, and passionate outdoor enthusiasts. Since then, POW has grown from a kernel of an idea into a worldwide network of more than 130,000 supporters.
4. One Tree Planted
Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and provide habitat to over 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. Forests provide jobs to over 1.6 billion people, absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere, and are key ingredients in 25% of all medicines.
As One Tree Planted plants one tree for every dollar donated, helping the environment by planting trees is made easy.
5. Trunks & Leaves
Founded in 2012 by Professor of Ecology Shermin de Silva, Trunks & Leaves was created to build a greater understanding surrounding the needs of wild Asian elephants, threats to their ecosystems, and sustainable long-term solutions to these threats.
The organization is one of the few that supports pioneering research on Asian elephant behavior and ecology while working with agricultural communities to develop more sustainable land-use practices and livelihood strategies– so that elephants can continue to roam in these landscapes.
Our team at Vermont Woods Studios has partnered with Trunks & Leaves to help restore the forest habitat of Asian Elephants in Sri Lanka. Through this project, we’re raising awareness in our local communities about how conservation of forests and wildlife starts in each of our homes. We’re encouraging Vermonters to ensure that, when they’re buying forest products, that they find out where those products originated from.
6. The Sierra Club
Known to be one of the most influential grassroots environmental organizations in the US, the Sierra Club amplifies the power of its millions of members to defend everyone’s right to a healthy world.
While the club’s first members were focused on conservation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the club has evolved into an organization that works to advance climate solutions throughout the country while ensuring that all people have access to clean air and water– all while creating opportunities for all to experience the power of the outdoors.
7. Ocean Conservancy
For over forty years, the Ocean Conservancy has strived to bring people, science, and policy together to champion innovative solutions and fight for a sustainable ocean. From protecting the Arctic’s magnificent ecosystems to oil-spill recovery in the Gulf of Mexico, the Ocean Conservancy is focused on solving some of the greatest threats facing our ocean today.
The Ocean Conservancy organizes beach cleanups, works with sanctuaries that rehabilitate injured marine wildlife, and has a government relations team working to ensure that the ocean gets the funding and attention it requires.
Donate to the Ocean Conservancy
8. Friends of the Earth
An organization that describes itself as a “bold and fearless voice for justice and the planet,” Friends of the Earth campaigns internationally to protect the environment, human rights, and build sustainable societies.
Recently, the organization has targeted bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides and the environmental devastation of palm oil production.
Donate to Friends of the Earth
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This blog is written by your friends at Vermont Woods Studios. Check out our Vermont made furniture and home decor online and visit our showroom and art gallery at Stonehurst, the newly restored 1800s farmhouse nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains.
