Kimberley-based Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE) has announced that they’ve joined 1% for the Planet, an international organization whose members contribute at least one per cent of their annual revenue towards protecting the environment.
The organization currently has a global network of over 5400 business members and 6500 environmental partners in 111 countries and has so far tracked over $500 million in certified giving. It was founded in 2002 by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard and Blue Ribbon Files founder Craig Matthews.
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Chouinard said the organization’s intent is “to help fund these diverse environmental organizations so that collectively they can be a more powerful source in solving the world’s problems.
“KORE is over the moon to be part of 1% for the Planet,” said KORE board chair “Powder” Matt Mosteller.
“We live in one of the most beautiful mountain regions in the world and it’s important to our members that we keep it that way. With this initiative, we’re helping do our part to make a difference for the planet and our mountain communities while creating environmentally friendly rural economic development.”
Now that KORE has joined 1 % for the Planet, businesses are able to pledge to contribute one per cent of their annual sales or budget to support KORE and its mission to “elevate the outdoor recreation economy in the Kootenay region … and to create a Kootenay-based centre for outdoor gear circularity.”
KORE plans to create an outdoor gear repair and up-cycling facility, to be known as the KORE Re-Hub, in order to keep equipment out of landfills, while also providing essential training and creating job opportunities.
As a member of 1 %, KORE has become eligible to get donations from other members to support their work and be a “at the forefront of a clean-growth economy.” KORE said their efforts to repair and repurpose textiles from other gear users and major outdoor gear manufacturers will positively impact sustainable change throughout the outdoor recreation industry.
You can learn more about 1 % for the Planet and see KORE’s profile at this link: directories.onepercentfortheplanet.org/profile/kootenay-outdoor-recreation-enterprise-kore-society