An idea was born on the banks of the Madison River in 2001, when two longtime friends and successful businessmen, Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, were chatting as they cast their lines into the river.

Connecting over a shared sentiment that businesses are responsible for their environmental impact, they came to the decision to donate 1% of their annual sales—not profits—to environmental organizations. This would go to launch the global movement, 1% for the Planet.

We are proud to spotlight several Nova Scotia businesses that show their support to environmental organizations like ourselves, through 1% for the Planet. We are very grateful for the commitment of Natures Way, Sleepyhouse, Bend Beauty, Patagonia Halifax, and Ridge on the Chimney through the 1% for the Planet initiative to the Nature Trust.

In 2007, Nature’s Way Canada became the first Natural Health Products manufacturer to join the 1% for the Planet initiative. Their donation of 1% of their annual sales has helped the Nature Trust and other land trusts across Canada protect more wild spaces and keep our promise of forever wild.

We were honoured that Nature’s Way chose to support our Inspired by Nature 30th Anniversary Gala last year as a Conservation Champion sponsor, and to be at the event to celebrate together and recommit to the future of conservation in Nova Scotia. Nature’s Way Canada also immediately stepped up to be part of the launch of our In Our Nature campaign with a $94,000 campaign gift. With the 4X leveraging opportunity that was available at that time, their donation unlocked a total of $470,000 to help us seize urgent opportunities to secure high-priority natural areas.

“As a local business, it’s really important to us to give back to our local communities – I could even say that it’s ‘in our nature’ to do so,” said Dan Hughes, Vice President and General Manager of Nature’s Way Canada. “For several years, we’ve contributed 1% of our annual sales to local land conservation partners throughout Canada, including the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. We’re delighted that our contribution can be leveraged to have quadruple the impact on saving nature.”

Patagonia Halifax carries on the legacy of Patagonia, championing 1% for the Planet by donating to support local conservation through one percent of their sales, but additionally with ongoing support as a sponsor and partner in local events, including hosting us at one of their Coffee Chat mornings at their store, and donating merchandise for door raffles to help raise more funds for land conservation.

“At Patagonia Halifax, we’re in business to save our home planet. As a locally owned business, we are committed to protecting the rivers, forests, trails, crags, and beaches that are part of our everyday life here in Atlantic Canada. As a 1% for the Planet member, we partner with local environmental groups and see the impacts of this commitment firsthand. We’re all in this together to save our home planet!” shared leadership at Patagonia.

Scott Fitzgerald, owner of Ridge on the Chimney, is proud to have his local business as a member of 1% for the Planet and donate directly to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust and other local causes that protect the region. Ridge on the Chimney generously donated a stay at one of their beautiful cottages as a prize for our Gala Auction, helping to us raise funds to help protect more land in Nova Scotia. 

We are very grateful to the businesses that share the values of giving back to conservation and provide support through the 1% for the Planet initiative. Thank you for giving back and for your commitment to conservation and for being a part of protecting ecologically significant land across the province. Learn more about 1% for the Planet and how your organization can get involved.