Western North Carolina Launches Thrive Outside Initiative to Expand Outdoor Access for Youth and Families

Asheville, NC (August 28, 2025) – On August 25, 2025, a diverse coalition of community leaders, funders, outdoor advocates, and government partners gathered at Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins along the French Broad River to celebrate the official launch of Thrive Outside Western North Carolina — a new multi-year initiative dedicated to increasing access to the outdoors, especially for communities that have historically faced systemic barriers to outdoor recreation.

The Thrive Outside WNC initiative is spearheaded by the North Carolina Outdoor Economy Office, in partnership with the Outdoor Foundation, The Morrison Family Foundation, and VF Foundation. The effort is powered by a dynamic coalition of local partners including youth-serving organizations, public schools and school districts, environmental education programs, outdoor recreation businesses, workforce development organizations, conservation nonprofits, and community groups. The initiative aims to strengthen cross-sector partnerships that foster lifelong connections to nature for youth and families across the region.

“We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from time spent outdoors. This initiative marks an exciting and collaborative milestone—one that will introduce more youth across the region to meaningful outdoor experiences while fostering a lasting sense of welcome and connection to nature,” said Amy Allison, Director of the North Carolina Outdoor Recreation Industry Office.

The launch event brought together leaders from the western counties of North Carolina and featured remarks from funding partners, local organizations, and supporters from the outdoor industry. Guests enjoyed locally sourced refreshments, a riverfront gathering, and a shared vision for a more inclusive and connected outdoor culture in Western North Carolina.

Through a place-based and community-driven approach, Thrive Outside WNC aims to:

  • Expand high-quality, culturally relevant outdoor programs for youth
  • Build a sustainable regional network of cross-sector partners
  • Support youth leadership and workforce development in the outdoor sector
  • Center belonging and inclusivity in outdoor access and environmental stewardship

The Thrive Outside initiative is a national movement powered by the Outdoor Foundation and its outdoor industry and philanthropic partners to create and support a network of communities committed to increasing outdoor access for youth and families. Over the past 6 years, the Outdoor Foundation has launched 14 Thrive Outside Communities across the country that have collectively helped to connect over 300,000 children, youth and families to transformative experiences in the outdoors.

“This initiative builds on the strong foundation of partnerships already thriving across Western North Carolina’s communities,” said Lesford Duncan, Executive Director of the Outdoor Foundation. “By strengthening and expanding this collaborative network, we’re supporting the region as it rebuilds from the impacts of Hurricane Helene—creating an outdoor recreation economy that is more resilient and inclusive.”

“This is about more than outdoor recreation — it’s about healing communities, nurturing wellbeing, and strengthening bonds between people and Western North Carolina’s landscapes.”

The VF Foundation has been a steadfast partner of the Outdoor Foundation for many years, investing in programs that lift barriers to outdoor access and youth leadership nationwide. Their continued support for Thrive Outside Western North Carolina reflects their deep commitment to fostering inclusive outdoor communities and building pathways for youth to thrive through nature and recreation. “We believe in the transformative power of nature and the importance of making it accessible to all to fuel the next generation of explorers. Supporting initiatives like Thrive Outside is central to our mission of expanding opportunities for youth to connect with the outdoors and grow as leaders,” said Gloria Schoch, Executive Director of the VF Foundation.

The Morrison Family Foundation is excited to join forces with the Outdoor Foundation and local partners in this initiative. They see Thrive Outside WNC as a critical opportunity to foster  access to the outdoors and support community resilience and wellness as the region rebuilds. Their enthusiasm and funding will help ensure the initiative’s long-term impact and success. “We are proud to support Thrive Outside Western North Carolina and believe it will be a powerful catalyst for healing and opportunity across the region,” said Bruce Boyd, Executive Director of the Morrison Family Foundation.

The Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Outdoor Industry Association, is a national 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to getting people outside for their health, the health of communities, and the health of the outdoor industry. Through community investment and groundbreaking research, the Outdoor Foundation works with partners across the country to address equity barriers and help make the outdoors accessible for all. Visit outdoorfoundation.org for more information.

To learn more about Thrive Outside Western North Carolina, visit https://outdoorindustry.org/participation/thrive-outside/thrive-outside-wnc

Thrive Outside Western North Carolina is sponsored by:

North Carolina Department of Commerce
Outdoor Foundation
The VF Foundation
Morrison Family Foundation

Industry Leading Apparel Brands Patagonia & Toad&Co Join Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies as Ambassadors

Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) is proud to welcome two California-based brands known for challenging the status quo of corporate responsibility to its Ambassador program – Patagonia and Toad&Co.

August 27, 2025

BWBS encourages and verifies shipping companies’ cooperation with voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) requests along California’s coast to reduce fatal ship strikes to endangered whales, underwater radiated noise, air pollution, and regional greenhouse gas emissions. BWBS has successfully incentivized the majority of international shipping traffic transiting to California ports to cooperate.  BWBS Ambassadors ship or work with participating shipping lines and help increase demand for responsible shipping practices that protect marine biodiversity and coastal communities. Each year, the program works to engage more shipping companies, increase cooperation rates, verify cooperation, and quantify the environmental benefits of participation.

Patagonia, the trailblazing outdoor apparel company known for being “in business to save our home planet,” joined BWBS in August. Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is based in Ventura, California. As a certified B Corporation and a founding member of 1% for the Planet, it’s recognized internationally for product quality and environmental activism. The company’s unique ownership structure reflects that Earth is its only shareholder: profits not reinvested back into the business are paid as dividends to protect the planet.

Toad&Co, a sustainable outdoor lifestyle clothing company headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, joined in June. Toad&Co is recognized for its leadership in designing eco-friendly apparel, circular fashion through their ToadAgain resale program, a sustainable supply chain, and innovative responsible packaging initiatives. Toad&Co is committed to community partnerships and advocating for conservation and equity in the outdoors as a long-standing 1% for the Planet business member.

Since launching in 2014, BWBS has worked with shipping companies to voluntarily slow their vessels for more than 1.5 million nautical miles, resulting in:

  • Avoided emissions of critical smog-forming air pollutants, including: ~5,900 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx)- the equivalent of taking 4.7 million cars off the road for a year;
  • A 50% reduction in lethal ship strike risk to endangered whales in 2024 (ship strikes are one of endangered whales’ main threats); and
  • An average 38% reduction in underwater radiated noise pollution (many marine animals rely on sound for essential life functions- implementing VSR programs in regions with high whale presence is a crucial step in mitigating the harmful effects of chronic noise pollution.)

“BWBS is honored to welcome Toad&Co and Patagonia as Ambassadors that support protecting endangered whales and coastal communities. With an increased focus on leveraging the power of the ultimate customers of shipping lines, BWBS is expanding awareness of the benefits of responsible shipping practices and inspiring more companies to prioritize working with shipping lines leading the way on protecting ocean health.” – Becca Tucker, Director of Corporate Engagement, Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies.

About

BWBS is a partnership between federal and local government agencies, foundations, and environmental nonprofits, including the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation; Channel Islands, Chumash Heritage, Monterey Bay, Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries; Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory; Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County and Monterey Bay Air Pollution Control Districts; and the Bay Area Air District. The Ambassador program is open to consumer goods, retail, logistics and freight forwarder companies, ports, and maritime technology service companies that work with, or ship their goods with participating shipping lines. Program Ambassadors include; Nomad Goods; Peak Design; JAS Worldwide; Port of Oakland; Port of Hueneme; Seaspan; ShipCo Transport; Pacific Stoneworks; Matilija Wine; Mistral Soap; Zen Paradise; Huffy; Niner; Buzz eBikes; Batch Bicycles; STAX Engineering; Brist Mfg.; Brighten Solar; Eggboards; Limoneira; Business & Pleasure Co.; Summit Coffee; Sonos; Who Gives a Crap; Santa Cruz Bicycles; The Block Logistics; Toad&Co and Patagonia. To inquire about becoming an Ambassador, contact Becca Tucker at becca@californiamsf.org.

 

For more about BWBS, visit: https://www.bluewhalesblueskies.org/.

For more on Patagonia and its impact, visit: https://www.patagonia.com/business-unusual/.

For more on Toad&Co. and its impact, visit: www.toadandco.com/pages/sustainability.

Wiley X Donates Premium Eyewear to Support A Girl & A Gun Sniper School Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Frisco, TX – [August 26, 2025] Wiley X, a proud supporter of A Girl & A Gun, recently donated eyewear for the organization’s Sniper School event in Grand Junction, Colorado. A Girl & A Gun is a national women’s shooting league that brings together thousands of members across the country to build skills, confidence, and community in a welcoming environment.

The Sniper School event which took place from August 19-22, offered female shooters specialized training from expert instructors in precision rifle skills. Wiley X provided instructors with high-performance protective eyewear as well as prize packs for top performers.

For more information about Wiley X’s commitment to giving back, visit https://www.wileyx.com/giving-back.

For more information about Wiley X and its product offerings, visit www.wileyx.com.

CONTACT:

Thomas Stickley, Backbone Media, LLC

Thomas.stickley@backbone.media

970.847.5463 ext. 1169

Hyundai Supercharges Popfly’s Director of Influence Search with a Year of Free Wheels

Adventure-Ready Palisade XRT Pro to Power the Exploration of Popfly’s new hire

COSTA MESA, Calif. [August 26, 2025] — Popfly, the platform connecting over 10,000 creators with adventure brands, announces a partnership with Hyundai to take storytelling to the next level. Popfly is currently searching for its new Director of Influence, and in partnership with Hyundai, the selected creator will receive a year-long loan on a Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro—plus the freedom and resources to travel the world to create content.

When Hyundai learned Popfly was looking for an on-the-ground storyteller with a passion for adventure, they jumped in—offering a full-size, adventure-ready SUV to power journeys from California’s sun-soaked coasts to Vermont’s vibrant fall foliage, and everywhere in between.

“Creator marketing has transformed from a nice-to-have into a non-negotiable growth engine for brands operating in today’s digital landscape,” said Taylor Hoekstra, Founder and CEO of Popfly. “Partnering with Hyundai shows our commitment to putting creators first, giving one exceptional storyteller the tools, autonomy, and yes the keys to make their adventures and content unforgettable.”

Hyundai is investing in the next generation of marketing by giving creators the tools to turn their ideas into real-world impact. The Palisade XRT Pro is ready to take Popfly’s New Director of Influence on an incredible adventure.

“When Hyundai reached out, we asked, why wait for our new hire to start?” said Maren Hamilton, Director of Brand & Community at Popfly. “Let’s lock in their first brand partnership even before they officially join the team.”

This full-time, remote role empowers the Popfly Director of Influence to travel, collaborate with creators, and showcase authentic adventures to a global audience of marketers, social strategists, and outdoor enthusiasts. Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply for what may be the ultimate creator gig.

In addition to the Hyundai vehicle, the Director of Influence will receive a competitive salary, a monthly experience fund, premium content equipment, and health benefits for a nomadic lifestyle, everything needed to live and work on the road while creating unforgettable content.

Popfly creators are gearing up for some seriously cool adventures and they’re bringing likeminded brands along for the ride. These upcoming collaboration opportunities are packed with purpose and partnership.

  1. @kimberly-kephart is heading to explore the desert landscape of Morocco for 12 days, looking to partner with travel and photography brands that want to feature the vibrant, diverse settings of the country from the medinas of Marrakech to the Sahara dunes.
  2. @outfluencers.explore are going backpacking in Asia with planned stops in Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
  3. @obristimagery are looking for ultralight camping gear and food for a film trip up Mount Whitney.
  4. @beapayette is going on a week-long ski touring & sailing trip in Lofoten Norway and would love to capture content for your brand in this iconic location.

Over 500 unique and adventurous personalities have shared their passion to join the Popfly team as Director of Influence. A few examples of these stellar creators sharing their stories include: @kennaaaswrld, @bybrennen, @_amyisalive_, @tay___starr, @sarahrsmyth, @hippiesnap.

To learn more and apply, visit https://explore.popfly.com/director-of-influence.

About Popfly:
Popfly is redefining digital storytelling in the outdoor space, empowering creators and brands to thrive in the rapidly evolving creator economy.

For immediate questions or interview requests, please contact popfly@verdepr.com. Media assets can be found here.

 

Royal Robbins advances sustainability goals with milestone year and new leadership

The brand surpassed its 2024 sustainability goals and announces the hire of Dawn Mancini Moyer, Regional Sustainability Manager, North America for Fenix Outdoor

BERKELEY, Calif. (Aug. 26, 2025) – Outdoor adventure brand Royal Robbins is celebrating a standout year for sustainability, building on its decades-long legacy of environmental stewardship. With significant progress across product design, sourcing, packaging, and innovation, the brand continues to raise the bar for responsible outdoor apparel.

Rooted in the environmental ethos of founders Liz and Royal Robbins, pioneers of the clean climbing movement, the brand remains true in its mission to create long-lasting outdoor gear with a lighter footprint. In 2024, that mission came to life through measurable milestones and industry-leading innovations.

Natural and Lower-Impact Fibers

Among Royal Robbins’ top achievements in 2024 was a significant step toward its wool sourcing goal. In 2022, the brand committed to sourcing 50% of the wool used in its products from Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified sources by 2025. This past year, significant progress was made toward this goal, highlighted by the launch of the Fall 2024 collection. The new Rockcraft and Arch Rock sweaters, made entirely from 100% merino wool, are fully RWS certified*, ensuring that the wool is sourced from farms that adhere to the highest animal welfare and land management standards.

Additionally, 96% of styles in the Fall 2024 collection met or exceeded Royal Robbins’ highest sustainability standards. Each piece was made with at least 50% preferred materials, such as organic and BCI cotton, recycled polyester, RWS-certified wool, hemp, recycled nylon and sustainable forest fibers.

The Spring 2024 line also echoed Royal Robbins’ sustainability-first approach, with 87% of styles crafted from lower-impact fibers. These results demonstrate the brand’s commitment to sourcing responsibly without compromising technical performance or durability.

Elimination of Toxic Chemicals

Last fall, Royal Robbins debuted its proprietary Mosquito Protection Technology, a breakthrough in effective insect repellent apparel that offers protection against mosquitoes without relying on harmful chemicals or biocides. By integrating this safe and sustainable solution into key styles for spring 2025, like the Expedition III L/S shirt and the Wilder Pant, the brand is meeting the needs of eco-conscious adventurers.

Reduction of Carbon Footprint

Royal Robbins employs an Avoid, Reduce, Compensate approach to help reduce the brand’s overall carbon footprint. In 2024, Royal Robbins’ industry-leading adventure shirt, the Desert Pucker, celebrated its 25-year anniversary. This shirt, made with wood-derived TENCEL™ Modal fibers, is certified Carbon Neutral by ClimatePartner. This certification means Royal Robbins invested in a carbon removal project to offset the remaining emissions produced in the making of its Pucker family of shirts.

Royal Robbins’ sustainability efforts also extend beyond textiles. In 2024, the brand piloted a new packaging program in Europe that eliminates single-use polybags in favor of a roll-pack method. Tested over seven months across six product styles, the initiative removed 118 kg (260 lbs.) of plastic from the supply chain, laying the groundwork for broader implementation.

Royal Robbins also works with the factories in its supply chain to implement impact reduction practices. In 2024, Royal Robbins’s parent company, Fenix Outdoor, worked with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and key supplier Minh Tri to transition their coal-fired boiler to a biomass boiler. The new biomass boiler, installed in May 2024, runs on renewable fuel and saves the factory an estimated 1,496 tons of CO2e emissions per year. Minh Tri has been inspired by this project to continue engaging with GIZ programs, which support the Vietnamese textile industry, the local economy, and the Government of Vietnam in promoting an environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and competitive textile and clothing sector.

To accelerate these efforts and deepen impact across the brand, Royal Robbins is proud to announce the appointment of Dawn Mancini Moyer as Regional Sustainability Manager, North America for Fenix Outdoor. A seasoned environmental strategist with more than 15 years of experience, Mancini joins the Corporate Social Responsibility team, reporting to Fenix CSO Aiko Bode. She will also serve on the North American Management Team.

“The progress Royal Robbins made in 2024 in responsible design and use of lower impact materials shows continued commitment to a deep history of taking responsibility for the health of the planet on which we all rely,” said Mancini. “As the Sustainability Manager, I look forward to supporting our ongoing progress with innovative strategies to create durable, long-lasting products that ultimately help more people connect with nature. We’re now setting our sights on what’s next, striving to be a leader in building a more sustainable industry.”

Based in Louisville, Colorado, Mancini brings a multidisciplinary background from sectors including apparel, technology, consumer goods and private equity. Her recent work at Anthesis Consulting focused on climate-biodiversity intersections, helping businesses operationalize nature-positive strategies. At Fenix, she will work to advance sustainability initiatives both regionally and globally.

“We’re proud of the strides Royal Robbins has made in advancing our sustainability journey, whether it’s through increased use of lower-impact materials or more transparent sourcing practices,” said Erik Burbank, Royal Robbins Brand President. “At the same time, we recognize there’s still significant work ahead, and we remain committed to continuous improvement.”

For more information, visit www.royalrobbins.com.

About Royal Robbins® 

Born in Yosemite, the brand was founded in 1968 by world-renowned climbers and adventurers Royal and Liz Robbins. Royal Robbins is a leading designer, manufacturer, and retailer of versatile, durable, and stylish apparel for the next generation of adventurers. The brand maintains a commitment to environmental and social responsibility by prioritizing natural fibers and maintaining carbon neutrality in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Royal Robbins gear can be found in outdoor and specialty retail partners throughout the world. We believe nature and adventure are good for the soul. To learn more, please visit royalrobbins.com.

*Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) wool, certified by Control Union cert. 895314

Skratch Labs Launches Electrolyte Booster and Reintroduces Everyday Drink Mix as Unsweetened Sport Drink Mix

 New additions complete the Skratch Labs Hydration System, giving athletes more ways to personalize hydration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 26, 2025 – Boulder, CO – Skratch Labs, the Boulder-based leader in performance nutrition, announces the launch of Electrolyte Booster, a new unflavored electrolyte mix that can be easily added to any sports drink to customize sodium levels to an athlete’s individual needs, without a salty taste or added calories.

The amount of sodium that athletes lose in their sweat is highly variable and largely determined by genetics. Some athletes lose as little as 400mg of sodium per liter of sweat, while other athletes may lose as much as 2000mg of sodium per liter of sweat. Through the research and expertise of founder and sports physiologist, Dr. Allen Lim, Skratch Labs has developed the Electrolyte Booster for athletes who require more sodium than standard hydration mixes and sports drinks provide, whether due to high sweat sodium losses, long training sessions, or hot and humid conditions. Each serving delivers 400mg of sodium from gut-friendly sodium citrate, along with potassium and magnesium. Because it is unflavored, zero calories, and free of salty taste, Electrolyte Booster can be added to any Skratch Labs drink mixes or an athlete’s drink of choice, allowing hydration to be adjusted independently of fueling. Packaged in 60-serving jars, Electrolyte Booster provides a simple, consistent way for athletes to fine-tune sodium intake for their training and racing.

In addition to the launch of Electrolyte Booster, Skratch Labs reintroduces its Everyday Drink Mix under a new name – Unsweetened Sport Drink Mix. Each serving of the unchanged formula provides 400mg of sodium from sodium citrate and offers athletes a sugar-free, unsweetened option for times when they don’t need fuel in their bottle or simply prefer a lighter taste.  Unsweetened Sport Drink Mix is available in Lemon + Lime and Salted Margarita, the latter returning to the permanent lineup by popular demand after debuting as a limited seasonal flavor. Both flavors will be sold in 20-stick caddies and 30-serving pouches.

“Hydration is personal because every athlete loses a different amount of sodium in their sweat,” says Dr. Allen Lim, founder and sport physiologist at Skratch Labs. “By listening to athletes, studying the science, and testing prototypes at some of the biggest events in the world, we recognized the need for more flexible, customizable, and practical hydration options. With Electrolyte Booster, athletes can add more sodium when conditions demand it without extra flavor, sugar, or calories. With Unsweetened Hydration Sport Drink Mix, they get light, real-fruit flavor and sugar-free electrolytes for times when they don’t need fuel.  Together with our original Sport Drink Mix and Super High-Carb Drink Mix, these products complete a hydration system designed to work for real athletes in the real world.”

With these additions, Skratch Labs completes its Hydration System, a four-part lineup designed to give athletes complete control over how they hydrate and fuel. The system includes Unsweetened Hydration Sport Drink Mix, a sugar-free option to keep hydration separate from fueling with a lighter taste; Hydration Sport Drink Mix, the fan-favorite original Skratch product, which combines electrolytes with simple carbohydrates for fast energy and fluid absorption; Super High-Carb Drink Mix, powered by complex carbohydrates for sustained fueling during long, intense efforts; and the new unflavored Electrolyte Booster, which adds sodium without calories or taste. Together, these products create simple building blocks that can be used alone or mixed and matched to meet the unique demands of any workout, race, or environment.

Just in time for autumn races, Electrolyte Booster and Unsweetened Hydration Sport Drink Mix launch, giving athletes time to dial in their nutrition strategy for marathon season and fall riding. Skratch Labs also offers an extensive library of free resources on its blog to help athletes learn about hydration and nutrition science, and their full-time registered dietitians on staff also provide sodium sweat testing at the brand’s headquarters in Boulder, CO.  For more information about Skratch Labs, upcoming product launches, or athlete partnerships, contact Tim Nooney at tim@darbycommunications.com.

About Skratch Labs:

Born in Boulder, CO, in 2012, Skratch Labs is a performance nutrition innovator that helps athletes be better. Founded by two cycling pros who spent years on the Pro Cycling Tour watching teammates consume bad-tasting sports nutrition products that caused digestion issues, they created a “secret drink mix” composed of real sugar, salt, and fruit powder mixed in a 5-gallon paint bucket for their team. More than a decade later, Skratch Labs’ approach is the same: help athletes perform better by solving their nutrition problems without causing new ones, using real food ingredients. You can learn more at Skratch Labs, follow on social, join Skratch Labs’ Strava Club, enroll in the affiliate program, or visit the Skratch Labs Table and Flagship Store.

Contact: Tim Nooney

Darby Communications

tim@darbycommunications.com

720.955.9593 c

OrthoLite Vietnam Awarded Second Consecutive Best Companies to Work For in Asia Award

AMHERST, Mass. (August 20, 2025) – OrthoLite®, the global leader of branded, high-performance,  comfort footwear solutions, announces that OrthoLite Vietnam (OVN) has been awarded Best Companies to Work for in Asia by HR Asia for the second consecutive year. The award was presented during a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on August 14, 2025.

Organized and presented by HR Asia, the Best Companies to Work for in Asia Awards evaluates and honors organizations with best practices in human resources, high levels of employee engagement and excellent workplace cultures.

OrthoLite Vietnam (OVN)  successfully completed multiple rigorous assessments conducted across all levels of company leadership, exceeding the comprehensive criteria required to achieve the highest distinction—first place. HR Asia’s evaluation further highlighted OrthoLite Vietnam’s outstanding performance, with scores significantly surpassing the market average

“We couldn’t be prouder of our exceptional team and leadership in Vietnam,” said Glenn Barrett, founder and CEO of OrthoLite. “Their unwavering dedication, proactive mindset, and strong spirit of collaboration are a direct reflection of the unique culture we’ve built—one that is integral to our success. It’s this culture that empowers our teams to consistently deliver the highest quality insole solutions to our global brand partners every day.”

The OVN team comprises over 1,000 employees who work in OrthoLite’s state-of-the-art facility in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. OVN’s automation, growing lean lines and attention to the company’s best manufacturing for less-impactful manufacturing, combine to make it a leading manufacturing facility for OrthoLite.

“We are truly honored to receive this award for the second year in a row and to be recognized for the strength of our incredible team and company culture,” said Mark Coffield, Country Manager for OrthoLite Vietnam. “Our exceptional team has a collaborative spirit and dedication that are unmatched and are at the heart of every partnership we build with OrthoLite brand partners.”

OVN is one of six vertically-integrated global manufacturing facilities owned by OrthoLite, all of which work together to bring an unmatched level of consistency, transparency and best practices to the brand’s 550-plus global brand partners.

Recently OVN’s Higg Index score was released, which showed the facility and team achieved an overall verified score of 90-percent.

“This is all due to the exceptional leadership and dedication of Jenny Le, Human Resource Director at OVN, who has led our HR program for over six years,” Coffield noted. “It’s also due to our dedicated OVN team, who work daily toward our goal of achieving sustainability through environmental management, energy, water use, wastewater management, waste management, air quality and chemical management.”For additional information on OrthoLite, please visit ortholite.com.

 

About OrthoLite®
OrthoLite is the world’s leading supplier of open-cell foam technology found in more than 550 footwear brands across all categories of footwear and is the first name in comfort and performance foams. OrthoLite has a stalwart commitment to an ongoing journey toward producing excellence with less-impactful manufacturing practices. The company also has a long-standing history of meaningful partnerships and sponsorships that demonstrate a dedicated commitment to supporting its customers, consumers, brand partners and the footwear industry. OrthoLite is the Official Insole sponsor of the New York Yankees, supporter of Textile Exchange, and is a founding supporter of the Two Ten Foundation. Stay up to date with company news by visiting OrthoLite.com and following OrthoLite on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. To learn more about the benefits of OrthoLite, visit www.ortholite.com.

 

Media Contact:

Verde Brand Communications

Julie Evans

970.946.0856

julie@verdepr.com

Media Assets

Sol Systems and Outdoor Industry Association Partner to Expand Access to Clean Energy

Sol Systems to offer RECs and impact-driven clean energy subscriptions to outdoor brands via the Sustainable Choice platform

Washington, D.C. (August 18, 2025) — Sol Systems has announced a new partnership with Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) to expand access to clean energy solutions for the outdoor industry. Through this collaboration, OIA members can now subscribe to Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) via Sol’s Sustainable Choice platform—an easy-to-use clean energy “subscription” offering designed for mission-driven brands and retailers.

This partnership builds on Sol’s deep experience working with outdoor leaders such as REI and Patagonia, and marks the first enterprise launch of Sustainable Choice, Sol’s simplified, digital purchasing platform for clean energy and community impact.

“Sol Systems has been a trusted clean energy partner to some of the most respected brands in the outdoor industry,” said Susanne Fratzscher, VP of Strategic Solutions at Sol Systems. “Now, through our work with OIA, we’re proud to offer project-specific RECs + Impact to any brand, large or small, through a seamless, transparent platform.”

A New Pathway to Clean Energy for Outdoor Brands

The outdoor industry has long led the way in climate action. But for smaller retailers or regional brands, clean energy options and impact investments have not always been accessible. Project RECs + Impact offered through Sustainable Choice changes that.

Through Sol’s partnership with OIA, member companies now have a trusted, vetted channel to purchase RECs tied to wind and solar projects across the country—either from Sol’s national REC pool or project-specific offerings. Participating companies can also contribute to a shared Community Investment Fund, designed to aggregate impact and deliver measurable benefits to frontline communities.

This partnership also offers OIA members a new way to demonstrate collective environmental leadership, and to tell a story about clean energy that extends beyond individual transactions.

“We often hear from members that accessing clean energy can feel out of reach, especially for smaller member brands. Collaborating with Sol Systems makes renewable energy solutions more accessible for OIA members. Through this partnership, we’ve created a path for outdoor companies, regardless of size, to invest in renewable energy and reduce emissions,” said Julie Brown, Director of Sustainable Business Innovation at OIA.

Sol Systems currently manages REC transactions for more than 30,000 individual and organizational customers, bringing deep experience, responsive support, and a strong track record of impact-driven procurement. With Project RECs + Impact through Sustainable Choice, we are lowering the barriers to entry for meaningful environmental action.

To see this approach in action, check out the video of our recent collaboration with REI and Nester Hosiery, which highlights how REC purchasing can be both simple and meaningful.

 

About Sol Systems
Sol Systems is an Independent Power Producer (IPP) committed to building, owning, and managing clean energy infrastructure that benefits local communities. With over 7 GW of projects across 38 states, Sol integrates energy storage and grid resiliency solutions to deliver reliable, sustainable power to Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, utilities, and schools. Through strategic partnerships and community reinvestment, Sol ensures clean energy development drives long-term economic and environmental benefits. Founded in 2008 and led by its founder, Sol Systems is dedicated to shaping an energy future we can all believe in.

About Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is a catalyst for meaningful change. A member-based collective of business leaders, climate experts, policymakers, and outdoor enthusiasts, OIA supports the success of member companies through sustainability consulting, advocacy, research, and events. Learn more at outdoorindustry.org.