In September of 2011, we introduced a new line of work boots – KEEN Utility – and hit the road to re-boot workers who were making things better in their industry. While there are many great companies that fit this description, we placed our attention on three at the time: a TradeWind Energy windfarm in Salina, Kansas, the Ford Trucks Factory in Dearborn, Michigan and the Elwha River Dam in the Olympic National Forest.

“Project Re-Boot” provided many American industrial workers with new boots, but it was also just the start of our plans for the new line. The next year, we earmarked a percentage our Utility footwear sales to support Homes for Our Troops. One hundred retailers throughout the U.S. partnered with us in these efforts and, together, we were able to support the building of adaptive homes for severely injured veterans.

So here’s to the men and women harvesting by the kilowatt, putting optimism back on the road and turning dams into rivers!

It was a good rain that morning in Aysén up a glacial tributary of the Rio Baker. Drips came down through the roof of a one-room house where a young man named Filipe Henriquez stood next to the crackling cocina telling me about how the privatization of water in Chile, the selling of rivers, has interrupted the flow of life. Henriquez said, “My father can’t take water out of the Baker for his livestock. It was sold to HidroAysén. It belongs to Endesa and Colbún. Sure, you can irrigate with it, but it is illegal.”

The Neff Glacier the source of El Rio Baker – Region of Patagonia, Chile. Photo: James Q Martin

Endesa, a multi-national power company owned by the Italian energy giant Enel joined the Chilean energy company Colbún in planning to dam the Baker and other rivers in this un-dammed region.

The table in the house was made with a chainsaw, and on it stood a half-melted candle and an empty wine bottle from the night before. We had just finished breakfast.

Henriquez said, “This is unstable land. This year, earthquakes. Last year, the Chaiten volcano. Centralizing power in this environment is a mistake.”

He was trying to find reasons for dams and power infrastructure not to be built in this isolated and pristine region. Aysén is geologically unstable. It is one of the more active places on the planet, where tectonic plates are ramming into each other, throwing up the Andes in a fanfare of quakes and volcanoes. Meanwhile, accelerated melting of glaciers in Aysén has resulted in catastrophic outburst floods, debris-laden torrents carrying away entire forests. At times, these glacial floods have caused the Rio Baker, the most voluminous river in Chile, to rise by 12 feet and even turn around and run upstream for days at a time. This is a dynamic place, one of the fastest-melting glacial regions in the world, not the best choice for new dams.

But Henriquez is not so much concerned with the physical safety of these proposed dams. He resists them because this is the land he belongs to, and dams would forever change it. Born and raised in the Aysén, he explained that Patagonia’s biggest resource is its purity, not its power. “It’s the change from peaceful life to industrial life,” he said. “Dams will be the key to industry in Patagonia. First the dams, then…I don’t know.”

Craig Childs writes by candle light – Region of Patagonia, Chile. Photo: James Q Martin.

Living in wild, mountainous country like this with big glaciers pouring down the valleys changes the way you see time and place. Henriquez said, “To think for 500 years, not for 50 years, that is what I believe. I like to preserve my region for myself, my sons, the world, for you.”

When I asked if he is an activist, he answered no, he is a habitante. When I asked him what that meant, he translated it to English inhabitant. He lives here. He belongs here. Here: a place without dams.

For more information, please go to www.rioslibres.com or watch Episode 1, The People.

Craig Childs – El Rio Baker, Region of Patagonia, Chile. Photo: James Q Martin

Craig Childs is an Arizona native, and he grew up back and forth between there and Colorado, son of a mother hooked on outdoor adventure, and a dad who liked whiskey, guns, and Thoreau. He has published more than a dozen critically acclaimed books, and is a commentator for National Public Radio’s Morning Edition. At High Country News, he’s a contributing editor, and he teaches writing for both University of Alaska in Anchorage and Southern New Hampshire University. He lives off the grid with his wife and two young sons at the foot of the West Elk Mountains in Colorado.

2005 Print Ads

It’s sobering to realize it’s been nearly a decade since a powerful tsunami slammed into Southeast Asia. Like so many of you who jumped into action, we knew we had to do whatever we could, too — so we pulled our entire annual advertising budget of $1 million and made our first major donation to tsunami relief efforts through AmeriCares.

KEEN was barely two years old then, but that experience was instrumental to the birth of Hybrid.Care. It affirmed our dedication to caring as a pivotal operating practice.

To date, our Hybrid.Care giving program and other initiatives have enabled us to donate more than $7 million in cash and resources to nonprofits that restore and preserve open spaces and encourage play.

Our hearts go out to those in Oklahoma affected by the tornado.

We’re working with Project Sole to deliver 2,500 shoes on Saturday, May 25th to Moore, Oklahoma.  Project Sole will be offering shoes, water, snacks and toiletries as a way for the community to get back on its feet, and to build morale as they begin to rebuild their lives. The numbers are changing hourly, but as of now, Project Sole has a team of 20 volunteers in place. They plan on handing out the shoes at a designated church parking lot station, and dividing up the rest to visit the streets and people who may not be able to make it.

There are many ways that you can lend a hand. Several nonprofits are collecting donations for tornado victims, many of which have indicated that financial donations are preferred over supplies.

OKSTRONG DISASTER RELIEF FUND
Governor Mary Fallin, in coordination with the United Way of Central Oklahoma, has established the OKStrong Disaster Relief Fund to assist with the long-term medical, emotional and educational needs of victims of the May 20 tornado in Moore and the May 19 tornado near Shawnee. Donations for the long-term needs can be made by calling (405) 236-8441 or donating online at www.unitedwayokc.org.

DONATION OF SERVICES AND MATERIALS
Donation of services or materials from businesses (not cash donations), those should be directed to Keli Cain with the Oklahoma Dept. of Emergency Management at 405-521-2481.

RED CROSS
The Oklahoma Red Cross is asking people to donate by texting Red Cross to 90999 which will be a $10 donation, spokesman Ken Garcia said. Garcia said the donations allow the Red Cross purchase needed supplies. Those who are looking for family members can visit www.safeandwell.org, Garcia said. Local Red Cross units will be dispatched throughout the damaged area.

SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army Arkansas-Oklahoma Division has dispatched disaster response teams. Donations can be made to:The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157. Designate Oklahoma Tornado Relief on all checks. Donate by phone: (800) 725-2769 or Donate online: donate.salvationarmyusa.org/uss/eds

REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, in partnership with Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, is asking that the public support all rescue, recovery and disaster relief efforts with donations of cash to your favorite rsponding charity. Donations of items such as clothing and supplies are strongly discouraged. Financial donations will allow disaster relief agencies to purchase whatever items are deemed necessary without resulting in the additional burden of securing warehouse space and volunteers to work donated product. To make a tax deductible donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, go to www.regionalfoodbank.org or call 604-7111 or text FOOD to 32333 to give $10 to relief efforts.

OKLAHOMA BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF
With Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief teams already responding to severe weather from Sunday in several locations, including Shawnee, Edmond and Little Axe, Oklahoma Baptists are assisting with recovery efforts from the tornado that hit Moore. Those interested in helping can make a tax-deductible donation to the BGCO’s Disaster Relief ministry, by visiting www.bgco.org/donate or calling 942-3800. All money go toward disaster relief and helping victims. For photos, information and updates, visit the Oklahoma Baptists’ blog at www.okdisasterhelp.com.

OKLAHOMA BLOOD INSTITUTE
Donors to the Oklahoma Blood Institute provide every drop of blood needed by patients in all metro-Oklahoma City hospitals and 140 others across the state. Presently, the state’s blood supply is adequate to meet the needs of patients in all hospitals caring for victims of the Moore tornado. Since there is no substitute for blood, the supply constantly needs to be replenished. Anyone 16 years or older and in good health can generally donate blood. Those with O-negative and Rh-negative blood types are most needed. Locations of donor centers and mobile blood drives can be found at www.obi.org.

Additionally, 10 casinos in the Oklahoma City metro area will host blood drives later this week:

• Riverwind Casino: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday
• Lucky Star Casino, Concho: 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday
• Sugar Creek Casino: 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday
• FireLake Bowling Center: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday
• Grand Casino: 1 to 6 p.m. Friday
• Lucky Star Casino, Clinton: 1 to 6 p.m. Friday
• Remington Park Racetrack & Casino: Noon to 5 p.m. Friday
• Kickapoo Casino: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
• Newcastle Casino: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
United Way of Central Oklahoma has activated its disaster relief fund, so individuals may give specifically to the May tornadoes relief and recovery efforts. Fund dollars will be distributed without administrative fees to United Way Partner Agencies working on the tornado relief efforts. To donate, go to www.unitedwayokc.org or by mail to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 with notation for May Tornado Relief. For more information, please contact Karla Bradshaw at (405) 235-3534.

FEED THE CHILDREN
Feed The Children has established five locations in Oklahoma City to accept donations that will aid victims of the Moore tornado.

• Feed The Children McCormick Distribution Center, 29 N. McCormick
• First Baptist Church, 1201 N. Robinson
• KOCO-TV, 1300 East Britton Road
• Faith Tabernacle Church, I-40 and Portland
• TLC Garden Center, 105 West Memorial Road

Items that will be accepted at these locations are diapers, canned goods, non-perishable food and snack items, water and sports drinks. Cash donations are also welcome.

Feed The Children is coordinating with other organizations and with authorities to deliver disaster supplies as requests for aid are received. Water and lasagna has already been delivered to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army to help with hydration and meal preparation for first responders.

Cash donations to help with relief efforts can also be made by phone at 800-627-4556, online at www.feedthechildren.org/disaster, or by texting “DISASTER” to 80888.

TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Tulsa Community Foundation, the nation’s largest community foundation, has established the Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund. This fund has received a lead gift of $100,000 from George Kaiser Family Foundation. Contributions to the Moore & Shawnee Tornado Relief Fund can be made securely online at www.TulsaCF.org. Donations can also be mailed to TCF offices at:

7030 S Yale, Suite 600
Tulsa, OK, 74136

(Source: www.okstrong.ok.gov)

The goal of this series is to highlight four different aspects of the fight against five proposed dams in Chile’s Patagonia region. In this first episode, Q meets the gauchos and inhabitants of Patagonia. He hears their stories and learns how their lives would be disrupted by the dams and modernization of the area.

Learn more on Beyond The Edge – National Geographic Adventure Blog.

Photo by Josh Partee

Portland, Oregon is the place we call home. It has been since 2007 and is slated to be for many years to come. But it wasn’t until recently that this permanence became more of a reality.

In February of 2012, we purchased a building of our own in the Pearl District of Northwest Portland, and immediately began planning the move.

We started with a bold goal: renovate our new building and fill less than one full dumpster. “We looked at ourselves and said, ‘Can we move in and not throw anything in a landfill?’” said Chris Enlow, our Hybrid.Care & CSR Manager. “Portland is a hub for sustainability. What small part can we play to amplify those values that the community is so proud of?”

We accomplished this goal the hybrid way. Repurposed, recycled and sustainable materials were used to build out the new space. Local organizations, such as Portland Habitat for Humanity Restore, benefited from cabinets and countertops; shelving went to a local school, and handrails and insulation were donated to the Rebuilding Center of Portland.

Recently, we were honored to be recognized with the following awards:

• “Innovation in Sustainable Operations” from the Portland Business Journal
• “The Green Award” from Travel Portland
• “Top Projects Award: Renovation” from the Daily Journal of Commerce

Next time you’re in the area, please stop by the KEEN Garage and pay us a visit!

Photo by Greg Burke, The Conservation Alliance

Since 2004, The Conservation Alliance — one of KEEN’s key Hybrid.Care partners — has saved more than 31 million acres of wildlands and 1,830 rivers in North America.

The Alliance has achieved these results by bringing outdoor industry companies together and disbursing their collective annual membership dues to grassroots organizations that protect wild places.

In the first year of our partnership with the Alliance, we made a promise to increase the nonprofit’s annual funding to $1 million. By leveraging these contributions with a matching dues incentive program, the Alliance has been able to go from awarding $360,000 to grassroots environmental organizations in 2005 to awarding $1.3 million last year.

Achieving that goal was its own reward, so we were particularly humbled when the Conservation Alliance honored our efforts to support environmental initiatives with the organization’s first annual Outstanding Partnership Award.

“It’s very unusual for a young company to come into the industry and engage with a group like the Conservation Alliance on the scale that KEEN did,” stated executive director John Sterling upon bestowing the award. “Many hesitate or decline, saying that they can’t afford to join as significant contributors until they reach a specific revenue milestone. KEEN’s energy and leadership motivated other companies to do more by showing companies in the industry what’s possible.”

Photo by Greg Burke, The Conservation Alliance

Photo by Ben Canales, Oregon Wild

2013 has been a year for celebrating at KEEN. As we turn 10 years old, we reflect on what this milestone represents for us: 10 years of hybrid innovation, 10 years of play and 10 years of giving back to our wild places.

From our humble beginnings in Alameda, CA to our new 50,000-square-foot home in the Pearl District of Portland, OR, conserving our natural resources and providing access to play – which we take full advantage of, and often – have always been top priorities.

“Caring has been central to KEEN’s DNA from day one,” says Chris Enlow, our Hybrid.Care & CSR Manager. “We made a promise to turn our ideals into action and put the interests of our fans and employees first – be it by restoring and protecting places to play, responding to victims of natural disasters or simply by helping to reduce waste.”

Photo by Miguel Samper, Mercy Corps

We’ve been honored over the years to have the opportunity to take our passion for the outdoors and our HybridLife philosophy of “create, play, care,” and apply them to our work with fans and partners. Together we have helped make a difference in our community and the world around us.

So here’s to you. We thank you for helping us make good on our promise and we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish, with your help, over the next 10 years.

Photo by Kevin Colburn, American Whitewater

KEEN Ambassador Drew Brophy recently painted two standup paddleboards for our new building. In case you’re unfamiliar with his work, Drew’s paintings always depict real life experiences, and the two boards he painted for us were no exception.

PADDLEBOARD PAINTING #1: THE GREAT NORTHWEST

This painting shows some of the wildlife my family and I saw on our five month trip across America last year.

The Trout: In Redfish Lake, Idaho, I was catching trout off of the paddleboard. It was funny; there were a few guys out there in a nice fishing boat, with all new equipment, and here I paddled out with my son’s fishing rod and a red bucket, and I was catching all the fish!

The Bear: While in the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho, we saw a bear walking on the ridge not far from where we were parked. The kids were excited to see a bear in the wild, and I was glad it was far enough away!

The River: I took my inflatable Riviera Paddleboard down the Salmon River in Idaho for 11 miles. Along the way, being the only human in the water, I saw elk and deer and eagles. It was amazing.

PADDLEBOARD PAINTING #2: NELSCOTT REEF

This winter I finally got to surf giant waves at Nelscott Reef in Oregon. This painting shows the giant kelp you see out there, the big fish and of course a small surfer in a huge wave!

I wrote a post all about the Nelscott Reef Adventure, you can read it here: Mission to Surf Nelscott Reef – Big Waves in Oregon.

The rest of the story can be found on drewbrophy.com. Thanks, Drew!