Hero Network

Now is the time to call on the wisdom indigenous cultures have always known—that nature is the great equalizer—the true democracy. Our connection and interactions with nature have the power to heal us. Even a fifteen minute walk, placing your hands in soil, bringing plants inside, and eating plant matter can lower your cortisol levels, raise your serotonin, and protect your body from virus and infection—if that isn’t reason enough to worship nature, we aren’t sure what is. This momentous interconnectedness between us (as humans) and nature is why we are looking at our planet as our Hero Network. It is nature that holds the deepest wisdom—we have the rare opportunity to allow it to teach us and to lead us to collective shifts. Will we heed the call?

In this moment, we are witnessing our planet send signals that indicate what it means when we lift the heavy weight of our human footprint. We hope this wakes us up to the impacts of our choices, but we also must remember this is not enough, much more work and consciousness is needed to protect our planet and right our wrongs. We will need to put policies in place, protect our wilderness, advocate for public lands, and conserve. To take these actions, we must first be aware of the divide we have created and re-cultivate our natural bonds with the natural world. 

Remember, it is a great privilege to work from home, to have a home, and if you can, to get outside. And if you can’t, consider bringing in a plant, or two, or three (both in your home and in your body). Don’t forget the power of outdoorphins, to invite nature into our mind, body, and spirit. Look to your parks for direction on the best ways to get outside and always leave no trace.

As you look at your brand and business, know that to take a stand for and close the loop on people, product, and planet, is the only viable strategy forward. The outdoor industry has been leading the charge, and now it’s all our turn to shift our collective consciousness and actions toward higher levels of environmental empathy and lower levels of flagrant consumerism. 

In short, turn your awareness toward plants, look up, out, and around you to look to the future, and cultivate a relationship to nature—we assure you, the effects will be profound.