check out this link and see where your money goes...I just tried CA for starters in their "Environmental Grants Locator" - about half way doen the page...

http://www.patagonia.com/enviro/enviro_grants.shtml


:mad2:



:usa:

Never even heard of them before but I will not buy anything they make if I run across their stuff that is for sure.....

A couple years ago Pat Chicas asked me to research who were the big contributors to the democrapic party, this was pre 2000 election. Turns out after many hours of research I discovered most big corporations that are major political contributors try to spread the money pretty evenly. BUT , this company was one of the few I came across that is strictly a demo contributor, so it is not surprising at all that they also contribute heavily to enviro causes. Just take a look at where you see their stuff advertised, that will give you a clue. One thing I gotta say about them, they have never tried to deceive anyone about the way they lean. They make some very, very good outdoor clothing for extreme conditions, too bad they spend their profits the way they do.

"We fund activists who take radical and strategic steps to protect habitat, wilderness and biodiversity. We have given more than $17 million to more than 1,000 organizations since our grants program began."

$17million. That's a lot of milk money from "noodles".....

They donated to the "California Wilderness Coalition", the wackos behind Boxer's push for more Wilderness Areas.

And they donated to "Sierra Club California Coastal Program". Here is their goal - "The Sierra Club's California Coastal Program provides public interest assistance to coastal activists engaged in the hundreds of land use, development, pollution and beach access issues brought before the California Coastal Commission each year. We made this grant in general support of the group's efforts to ensure that California's beaches are both healthy and accessible."

Let me translate that for you - "We want Oceano Dunes closed to OHVs."

Crowdog

I believe one of the regulars on this BBS resides near the Patagonia HQ in Ventura, CA?

The HQ is in a building called the "Great Pacific Iron Works." They hold local SC meetings there, and I recommend you attend a few. You may meet some of the local Los Padres NF PEER/FSEEE members, and a few of the more notable politically active members of your neighborhood. Visitors to these meetings have included Bruce Babbit, and Dave Foreman (Earth First!), and Daniel Patterson (CBD). You never know what you may learn?

Patagonia has a policy of employing "out of work" environmental activists. They also employ a number of very determined activists, and allow time for these folks to hold effective leadership positions for non-profit recreation interest and environmental organizations. The work environment allows these activist's time to "represent" recreation interests (national fishing, surfing, hiking, and mountain biking clubs) while influencing environmental policy (even if it is detrimental to the represented recreation interest).

These activists also assist in steering work on projects like the CWC push for more Wilderness, going back to the GAP project at UCSB (just up the 101).

They have not only donated dollars to the democratic party, they may have actively employed personnel who have essentially worked for the party while on the payroll (again, this policy is rumored to go back to Senator Hart's 1992 primary campaign director, and members of President Clinton's 1992 election campaign).

Patagonia is very well connected politically, and well established politically, and has been for a number of years. These folks are not novice environmental activists. Off-road friendly businesses (ORBA) could learn political organizing methods from the way Patagonia operates and influences policy in environmental issues.

Boycott's and letters of opposition are noticed: as praise for the deeds they do, rather than the intended message.

Happy Trails!