Thursday, September 30, 2010

Fifth Annual World Snowboard Day Update


Celebrating its 5th birthday this year, the World Snowboard Day will start off the winter season on Sunday, December 19th 2010.

The idea behind the event is to share the world of snowboarding to new people, raise awareness of the mountain environment, and for snowboarders to share their values and passion for snowboarding with each other.

The event is organized by EuroSIMA (European Boardsports Industry Manufacturers Association), Outdoor Sports Valley (European outdoor sports industry association), and WSF (World Snowboard Federation).

To find out about programs going on for World Snowboard Day or create your own event, check out www.world-snowboard-day.com.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Volcom’s V.CO-Logical Series Supports POW, 1% for the Planet, and Others


If you’re not familiar with our V.Co-logical Series…it’s time to get familiar with it. Here’s why:

Volcom’s V.Co-Logical Series represents Volcom’s environmentally conscious movement towards sustainability. Their goal is for materials and processes used here to eventually find their way into the rest of our collection, making V.Co-logical a sort of “testing ground” for a better future.  Additionally 1% of every dollar you spend in this category goes to select environmental protection organizations by way of their 1% for the Planet Membership.

1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of companies that donate 1% of sales to a network of environmental organizations worldwide. We are proud to be a member by way of our V.Co-logical Series, and since 2006 our Volcom V.Co-logical Series has contributed 1% of sales to local and international non-profit environmentally focused organizations. Learn more about them at www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

We are pleased to announce the recipients of our 1% for the Planet dollars for the 2009 year (better late, than never, right!).  We handpicked the organizations that we feel truly help protect the environment and the sports we choose to pursue.  Please go to their websites to see more about what they do and what you can do to get involved in their efforts.

V.Co-logical thinking is not only in this product range, but in our company vision as well. Please stay tuned here for updates on the progress we are making and post a comment for any environmentally focused non-profits you’d like us to consider for partnership in 2010-2011.

-Alaska Wilderness League www.alaskawild.org

Alaska’s wild lands — including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) — are under attack. This extraordinary treasure trove of lands, set aside decades ago to be protected now and in the future for the benefit of the American people, is in severe danger of being destroyed forever by short-sighted politicians and the extractive industries. They want only the resources these pristine areas can provide, regardless of the resulting devastation to the habitat, wildlife, and cultures.

-Save the Waves Coalition www.savethewaves.org

Save the Waves is an environmental coalition dedicated to preserving the world’s surf spots and their surrounding environments. Our goal is to preserve and protect surfing locations around the planet and to educate the public about their value. Save the Waves works in partnership with local communities, foreign and national governments, as well as other conservation groups to prevent coastal development from entering the surf zone.

-The Ecology Center www.theecologycenter.org

The Ecology Center is a nonprofit organization that aims to serve as Orange County’s premier eco-educational learning center and is driven to inspire and educate people across Southern California communities in the areas of environmental sustainability and stewardship. By providing hands-on activities, quarterly exhibits, on-site demonstrations and informational seminars promoting practical and ecologically sound solutions for the household and community.

The Ecology Center is located at South Coast Farms in the suburb of San Juan Capistrano and seeks to create a healthy and thriving environment where clean air, water and power are economically, ecologically and elegantly enjoyed. And with its rich cultural heritage and agricultural tradition, it’s no wonder that The Ecology Center has upheld its credibility as the ultimate local, one-stop resource committed to proactively solving some of today’s most pressing environmental problems.

-Protect our Winters (POW) www.protectourwinters.org

Protect Our Winters (POW) is a tax exempt, non-profit organization dedicated to reversing the global warming crisis by uniting the winter sports community and focusing our collective efforts towards a common goal.

Climate change is a serious issue for all of us who are passionate about our winter sports and in some cases, it’s how we make our living. If we harness our collective energy and put forth a focused effort, we can have a direct influence on reversing the damage that’s been done and ensure that winters are here for generations behind us.

-Orange County Coastkeeper www.coastkeeper.org

The Mission of Orange County Coastkeeper is to protect and preserve Orange County’s marine habitats and watersheds through education, advocacy, restoration, and enforcement.

-North Shore Community Land Trust www.northshoreland.org

The mission of the North Shore Community Land Trust (NSCLT) is to protect, steward, and enhance the natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and rural character of ahupua‘a from Kahuku Point to Ka‘ena.


The mission of the Miocean is to clean up our local shoreline using a business approach and applying expertise, passion and resources for measurable improvements.

-Newport Bay Naturalist and Friends www.newportbay.org

Our mission is to preserve and restore the ecosystems of Upper Newport Bay and to educate the public about the ecological value of the Bay and its watershed and help ensure compatible public use.

-Stratford Ecological Center www.stratfordecologicalcenter.org

The Stratford Ecological Center is a non-profit educational farm and nature preserve dedicated to the education of children and adults in understanding the relationships between living things and their environment, thereby fostering an appreciation of the land and all life that depends on it.  In its own small way, Stratford is acting locally and thinking globally.  Its unique location allows for opportunities to share this special world of discovery with children and adults of all ages.

-Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC) www.asecaction.org

ASEC is about progressive eco-education and empowering people to adopt a sustainable lifestyle in a way that embraces their existing lifestyle and enhances it. We think sustainability is fun and sexy; simply put, we throw a better party! ASEC works to inspire the action sports industry and its participants to value and take action toward social and environmental responsibility. That goal is achieved through many different programs, each providing an exciting environment in which to learn.

-Algalita Marine Research Foundation www.algalita.org

The Algalita Marine Research Foundation is dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its watersheds through research, education, and restoration.

In keeping with our mission statement, the Algalita Marine Research Foundation (AMRF) is engaged solely in (1) Protection of the marine environment and its watersheds, through investigative research on the impact of plastic marine pollution; and (2) Providing authoritative, educational findings to the public, private and scientific communities.

-Bolsa Chica Land Trust www.bolsachicalandtrust.org

The Bolsa Chica Land Trust was formed in 1992 by a small group of Californians who believed that one of the last standing wetlands ecosystems in Southern California was worth preserving for future generations. The Land Trust now includes more than 5000 members from throughout California and twenty other states.

The mission of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust is to acquire, restore and preserve the entire 1700 acres of the mesa, lowlands and wetlands of the Bolsa Chica, and to educate the public about this natural treasure.

International Contributions:

-Amane (Brazil) www.amane.org.br

THE AMANE, Association for Protection of the Northeast Atlantic Forest, is a non-governmental organization, for the environment, without financial profit. The organization operates in the interest of the conservation of biodiversity in the Northeast Atlantic and the development of socio-environmental benefits and was established in 2005 by means of the Pact Murici, agreement made by eight non-governmental organizations to protect the region of Murici.

-Surfrider Foundation Europe (France) www.surfrider.eu

Surfrider Foundation Europe is a non profit organization, dedicated to defending, saving, improving and managing in a sustainable manner the ocean, coastline, waves and the people who enjoy them.

From its creation, efforts have been concentrated on coastal issues, but today our scope of interest and involvement is spreading to related areas of lakes and rivers.

-Sumatran Orangutan Society (Indonesia) www.orangutans-sos.org

The Sumatran Orangutan Society is dedicated to the conservation of Sumatran orangutans and their forest home. Our international branches raise awareness of the threats facing wild orangutans, and raise funds to support grassroots conservation projects in Sumatra. Together with a team of committed Indonesian conservationists, we work with local communities living alongside orangutan habitat. We plant trees to restore damaged ecosystems and provide training to help the local people work towards a more sustainable future for their forests.

-Reef Check Australia (Australia) www.reefcheckaustralia.org/

Reef Check Australia is a not-for-profit environmental organisation that engages the Australian community in coral reef conservation at a unique level. We are part of a global network of volunteers who regularly monitor and report on reef health, bringing Citizen Science to environmental issues.

We aim to protect and help to rehabilitate Australia’s valuable coral reefs through a successful recipe of: 1) community education, to raise awareness of the key issues, and 2) scientific research, to collect data that contributes to solutions.

-Surfbreak Protection Society  (Australia) www.surfbreak.org.nz/

Surfbreak Protection Society is a Society dedicated to the conservation of the “treasures” of the New Zealand Surfing Community – our surfbreaks – through the preservation of their natural characteristics, water quality, marine eco systems and low impact access for all. We strive to be Aotearoa’s Kaitiaki “Guardians – Trustees” of our surfbreaks and the natural environments that compliment them.

-WetlandCare Australia (Australia) www.wetlandcare.com.au/
WetlandCare

Australia (WCA) is a national not-for-profit, non-government science-based organisation, with a mission to support the community in the protection and repair of Australia’s wetlands. We do this through action-based partnerships with governments, landholders, natural resource managers, researchers and the community. Our focus is on onground community engagement in project delivery and the provision of technical expertise, education and local advice on best practice wetlands protection, biodiversity conservation, and management and rehabilitation.

Our mission: Supporting the community to protect and restore Australian wetlands since 1991

Click here to view the current Volcom V.Co-Logical product or ask for it at your local shop and you will be helping to contribute to these and other environmental groups in the future.

Story from the Volcom New Future Blog - http://newfuture.volcom.com/?p=226

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Absinthe's "NowHere" San Francisco Showing Friday Oct 1!

What are you doing this Friday night in San Francisco? Seeing Absinthe's "NowHere", that's what. Roxy Theater, doors at 8:3pm0. First 100 get a ticket to Northstar....

Monday, September 27, 2010

Burton GMP Cargo Pant


Sometimes being the bestselling snowboard pant of all time just isn’t enough. Featuring eco-friendly and recycled materials wherever possible—including recycled shell fabrics, waterproof/breathable laminates and finishes, recycled PET mesh lining, shock cords, elastics, buttons, zipper pulls, labels, and artwork applications, the men’s Burton GMP Cargo Pant is as functional as it is earth-friendly. Loose-fitting for adding layers underneath, with plenty of pockets so you never need the lodge, it’s a tried-and-true classic, ready for any weather disaster. From the eco-friendly weatherproof fully taped DRYRIDE Durashell™ 2-Layer Eco-Laminated Fabric to the quick-drying mesh lining and heat-releasing inner thigh vents, these pants are built for everything Mother Nature throws your way.

Colors: True Black Tartan Plaid (pictured), Iroquois

Purchase at Burton.com $199.95

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Volcom’s “Give Jeans a Chance” Collecting For Homeless


As a part of Volcom’s Give Back Series, the “Give Jeans a Chance” program is aiming to donate 10,000 pairs of jeans to homeless shelters across the United States and Canada.  Last year, the program collected over 5,000 pairs of jeans and this year they have doubled their goal.

Collections began August 1, 2010 and end September 30, 2010 so you have a few more days to participate.  Volcom is currently at 90 percent of their goal.

Upon donating jeans, you will be entered to win a years supply of Volcom Brand Jeans and a $1,000 Volcom Prize Pack. All donors will receive a free Volcom hat, pin or sticker while supplies last.

To find a participating Volcom retailer, visit the Give Jeans a Chance website.

Friday, September 24, 2010

VF Corp Commended For Climate Change Disclosure

VF Corp–parent company of The North Face, Reef and Vans–has received a nod from the Carbon Disclosure Project for its approach to climate change disclosure.

VF announced today that the Carbon Disclosure Project, a non-profit organization that holds the largest database of primary corporate climate change information in the world and represents more than 500 institutional investors, has featured VF in its “Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index.”

The index, a component of the CDP’s annual S&P 500 Report, comprises 53 constituents of the report that have demonstrated a professional approach to climate change disclosure.

Paul Dickinson, chief executive of the Carbon Disclosure Project, described the implications of a company’s inclusion in the index in a VF press release.

“The Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index recognizes companies that demonstrate good internal data management practices for understanding greenhouse gas emissions, including energy use,” he said. “Companies that make this index have also demonstrated clear consideration of how climate change is and will impact their business. As companies’ understanding of climate change issues grows, they are better placed to take positive action to manage and mitigate its risks.”

Eric C. Wiseman, president and chief executive officer of VF has released this statement:

“We are grateful that in this, our first year of measuring our GHG globally, our efforts have been positively acknowledged. We recognize our responsibility to help manage the earth’s resources to benefit future generations and are committed to minimizing our environmental impact.”





Thursday, September 23, 2010

Jones Snowboards Solution Splitboard Wins Backcountry Magazines Editors' Choice Award


Congratulations!

Jones Snowboards Solution splitboard is the 2010/20101 recipient of a Backcountry Magazine Editors’ Choice Award. Your product performed extremely well at the annual Backcountry Snowboard Test held in March in Crested Butte, Colo., and we are proud to extend this award.

Outstanding tester response, exceptionally high scores, and category-leading overall performance contributed to our selection of the Solution as a 2011 Gear Guide Editors’ Choice. This sums it up for us: Light underfoot and a beast on the steeps, the Solution will take you anywhere, anytime.

Once again, congratulations on producing such an exceptional piece of backcountry equipment, and thank you for being a part of the Backcountry Magazine board test and gear guide. Best of luck in the upcoming season!

See you in the backcountry,

Backcountry Magazine

“A few years ago I had run out of new things to ride in my home mountains. I had booted everything with in a reasonable distance and had sledded to all the sick spots. My hit list was pretty much empty. Picking up my splitboard the whole game changed. My hit list is now overflowing with a lifetime of new places to explore. The Solution is the solution. It rides like a normal board, but I’m no longer wallowing on approach to distant lines nor physically destroyed from bootpacking all day. I find myself passing up the chaos of the resorts and heading to the solitude of the backcountry on my splitboard more and more each winter.” -Jeremy Jones

Look for the world's first magna-traction split board at one of these retailers soon!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Outdoor Industry Invited to Beta Test Environmental Assessment Tool


The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is rolling out a new program that will allow brands to use a consistent language to rate the environmental impact of their products and hundreds of companies are betting they can use this tool to make their businesses better by making their products better.

The Outdoor Industry Eco Index, which was announced to the outdoor industry at this summer’s OutDoor show in Friedrichshafen, Germany and the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, Utah, is an environmental assessment  tool that examines and quantifies the environmental impacts of specific products to allow manufacturers to benchmark current levels and set standards for improvement. The index looks at products from cradle to grave, focusing on six key stages of their life cycles: Materials; Packaging; Product Manufacturing and Assembly; Transport and Distribution; Use and Service; and End of Life.

While the Index, which has been in the works since 2007, is still in the “stakeholder review period” and not scheduled to be officially released until early 2011, over 80 companies including Patagonia, The North Face, Timberland, REI, and Quiksilver have signed up to test a “Beta Phase 1” version and help fine tune the final system before its official release.

REI Director, Product Integrity Kevin Myette says he’s incredibly excited about the breadth of companies signing on for the beta testing of the scalable tool, and sees this as the first step in a sustainability-based revolution in product innovation across multiple industries. “When we have constant language and constant measures I really think it’s a huge platform for innovation…I think sustainability is the next quality,” explains Myette.” “If we’re putting energy into innovating around sustainability we’re actually saving money and improving performance. It’s not a take away from other [factors, when we have constant language and constant measures I really think it’s a huge platform for innovation. I think really smart organizations, it opens up a new avenue for innovations."


The OIA Eco Working Group, which is made up of approximately 100 companies, has been developing the project for three years, collaborating to create a comprehensive, accurate system built around five guiding principles to make it credible, reliable, and capable of large scale adoption:

-Collaboration. The Eco Index is the result of thousands of hours of work by more than 100 companies in the outdoor industry.

-Open-Source Information. The Eco Index is completely open-source and available for use by all companies, reflecting the industry’s belief that true transparency is essential to “move the needle” on sustainability.

-Transparency. It is critical that all outdoor industry stakeholders are able to view, understand, and provide input into the ongoing development of the Eco Index.

-Scalability. While the Eco Index is rooted in the outdoor industry, its structure is such that it has the ability to be applied within other industries and sectors.

-Global Reach. The Outdoor Industry Association has partnered with the European Outdoor Group on the Eco Index initiative to ensure a common worldwide sustainability tool for the outdoor industry.

“Transparency is no longer optional,” says REI Director, Product Integrity Kevin Myette. “Whether it be from a perspective of a demanding consumer, or that we’re addressing these challenges and how we can articulate them to our government, who is rightfully increasing their expectations of industry.”

For years, it’s been easy for companies to make claims about the environmental benefits, reduced footprints, sustainability, and other wishy-washy, general attributes of products with no formal way to back this up. While the Eco Index has been designed as an internal, supply chain-facing tool, the goal of making it customer facing is a priority for many of the companies involved. Not only would this allow companies to rate their progress down the path to sustainability, but it will also give consumers a way to consistently rank products from participating brands on a level playing field and help with foggy claims of environmental benefits and green washing.

“Everyone wants to get it right first, but I think everyone recognizes…at some point we’ll need to look at the best way to make it a consumer-facing index and make it credible,” says OIA Corporate Responsibility Manager Beth Jensen.

Beth Holzman, manager of CSR strategy & reporting for Timberland, one of the founding members of the OIA eco-working group and whose Green Index rating system provided part of the inspiration and framework for the Eco Index, believes a consumer-facing model is paramount.”It is absolutely essential that this label become  consumer-facing,” says Holzman. “Otherwise, consumers aren’t able to make informed choices and demand continued improvement from the brands they do business with. It’s enormously important for consumers to have an understanding  about what goes into the product they’re buying - and they can’t compare if  there’s not some standard that levels the playing field.”


The beta test is open to all companies, including non-OIA members and details of how to get involved are below. The beta test will allow companies to take specific products through the process and then review its effectiveness. Following this, the index will go up for a third-party review by Ceres, a national network of investors, environmental organizations, and public interest groups working with companies and investors to address sustainability challenges, to ensure the credibility of the index.

OIA’s goal is to roll out the finished project at this January’s OR trade-show in Salt Lake City, Utah but Jensen says this date is not set in stone as the goal is to get it right, not rush it out. ” If the feedback period takes longer, we’re open to that. We want to be sure it goes through the vetting period it needs,” says Jensen, adding that the outside review from Ceres is very important to add credibility to the Index.

How To Get Started

If your company is interested in participating in the Eco Index Pilot Program, the process is as follows:

E-mail Beth Jensen at Outdoor Industry Association with contact name, email address, company name and the types of product(s) you intend to pilot.

Visit www.ecoindexbeta.org and review the Eco Index Guidelines, Indicators and Metrics. Download the Indicator Scoring Tool spreadsheet and gather the appropriate BOM’s to be used in the pilot (either by downloading the generic version or appropriating BOM’s for your own products.)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Holden Varsity Jacket


Super stylish and sustainable…check the specs on Holden’s new Varsity Snowboard Jacket: 



The Basics:

20,000 mm waterproof / 10,000 gm breathable fabric with TORAY Dermizax non porous laminate,
80/20 Nanosphere DWR and solvent free lamination


Fabrication:
49% organic cotton, 26% hemp and 25% recycled polyester fabric body with Embossed Leather at arms

Fully taped seams

Features: 

Earth sustainable zippers

Zip together jacket and pant interface

Genuine leather goggle chamois

DWR coated taffeta on all exposed facings

DWR coated and removable powder skirts

Stretch panels in wrist gaiters and powder skirt for added movement

Water repellent genuine leather for all details and trims

No-snag venting



Pocketing/Organization: 

Tricot lined handwarmer pockets

Stretch audio pocket with exit loop

Zippered chest pocket

Colors: Bone/Black, Black/Purple Haze

Purchase at eternalsnow.com $319.95

Monday, September 20, 2010

The North Face Men's Woodchuck Insulated Jacket



Go hunting for powder with this new backwoods-styled snowsports jacket. Waterproof, breathable, fully seam sealed HyVent® 2L exterior with woodchuck print all-over combines with different amounts of insulation at body and sleeves for more/less warmth where you need it. The insulation is comprised of North Faces trademarked Heatseeker Eco a high performing insulation made of 100% recycled polyester fiber for use during aerobic activities in winter conditions. Highly compressible with a great warmth to weight ratio it’s resilient, water repellent and hypoallergenic. The HyVent 2L Proweave shell is a superior, waterproof breathable technology utilizing a polyurethane (PU) coating that consists of a tri-component mutli-layer formula for waterproof protection, moisture permeability and durability.  Other features include:

  • Waterproof, breathable, fully seam sealed
  • Recco® avalanche rescue reflector
  • Adjustable fixed hood
  • Rotated pit-zip vents
  • Flap chest pocket
  • Flap and zip pockets
  • Window pass pocket
  • External media pocket
  • Internal goggle pocket
  • Internal stash pocket
  • Stretch powderskirt with elastic gripper
  • Pant-a-locks
  • Adjustable hem system
  • Hook-and-loop adjustable cuffs

Colors: Brownie, Black

Purchase at thenorthface.com $249

Friday, September 17, 2010

Protect Our Winters Announces Addition of Auden Schendler to Board




Protect Our Winters (POW) is proud to welcome Auden Schendler as the newest member of its Board of Directors. Schendler is the Vice-President of Sustainability at the Aspen Skiing Company and will be a major contributor to POW’s efforts to activate the winter sports community in the fight against climate change.

Previously a research associate in corporate sustainability at Rocky Mountain Institute, Auden has been a trailer insulator, burger flipper, ambulance medic, Outward Bound instructor, high school math and English teacher, freelance writer, and Forest Service goose nest island builder. An avid outdoorsman, Auden has climbed Denali, North America’s highest peak, and kayaked the Grand Canyon in winter. His writing has been published in Harvard Business Review, the L.A. Times, Scientific American and Salon.com, among other places, and his work has been covered in Businessweek, Fast Company, Travel and Leisure, Outside, and other media. Auden was named a global warming innovator by TIME magazine in 2006 and in 2007 he testified to Congress on the impact of climate change on public lands. He lives in Basalt, Colorado with his wife Ellen and their children Willa and Elias.

“Protect Our Winters has momentum. It’s cool. And it’s exactly the right idea: we’re going to solve climate change by mobilizing huge amounts of people who care. And skiers and riders care.” said Auden.

“We’re honored and and excited to have Auden be part of the Protect Our Winters leadership. We need the best and the brightest on our team to help us engage the winter sports community against climate change and without question, Auden is that guy.” said Chris Steinkamp, Executive Director of POW.

POW’s goal of uniting the winter sports community against climate change is reflected in its board membership. Schendler joins Matt McClain, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Surfrider Foundation, Strick Walker, former CMO at 1% For The Planet and currently the Business Development Lead at IDEO and Christina Thomure, Director of Sustainable Operations at Grand Targhee Resort.

Since 2008, Protect our Winters has invested over $150,000 in over 25 community-based grassroots organizations, partnered with The Sierra Club to fight dirty coal and produced “Generations”, in partnership with The North Face and Teton Gravity Research. “Generations” is a short-film about climate change, resulting in over 150,000 downloads and led to the “60 Days” campaign, an online activism effort urging US Senators to support clean energy legislation.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Alaska Conservation Foundation provides a $50,000 grant to POW



The Alaska Conservation Foundation provided a $50,000 grant to Protect Our Winters this week, supporting their efforts to build awareness and take action against coal fired power plants near ski communities throughout the U.S.
In partnership with the Sierra Club, POW representatives will have a presence at high profile winter sports events to galvanize the winter sports community and potential activists for the ongoing “Coal Kills Snow” campaign.  The campaign will continue throughout the winter/spring, culminating with multi-state days of action at ski resorts to mobilize and engage individuals that have taken action throughout the ski season.
The Coal Kills Snow campaign was originally formed in 2009 to fight the proposed construction of a coal strip mine near Chuitna, Alaska, 45 miles southwest of Anchorage.  When burned, the coal extracted from the mine would emit over 54 billion pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere.

The campaign is a coalition between The Sierra Club, Protect Our Winters, Earthworks, The Cook Inletkeeper and the Chuitna Citizen’s Coalition.