HYDRO FLASK, an award-winning leader in high-performance, insulated stainless steel flasks and soft good innovation, celebrates five years of giving through its Parks For All programme, amounting to a total contribution of over $2.5m (£1,842,228) to 151 non-profits.
This year, the brand announced its 2022 grantees comprised of organisations focused on building, maintaining, restoring and providing more equitable access to public parks and green spaces globally.
Indigo Teiwes, Director, Corporate Responsibility, Housewares at parent company Helen of Troy, said, “We believe that the outdoors and green spaces lead to healthier, happier and more fulfilled lives. Everyone deserves the mental and physical benefits that the outdoors can provide and we’re proud to partner with organisations whose work makes this a reality for so many.”
Over the five years since Parks for All launched, Hydro Flask has focused its giving in three key categories: building new parks, park access and education, and park maintenance and restoration. Since 2017, Parks For All funding has helped more than 60,000 people spend 382,000 hours outside, including more than 35,000 kids.
Additionally, more than 600 workshops and trainings have been held and almost 30,000kgs of trash have been removed through the programmes of Parks For All grantees. Finally, as part of its commitment to improving equity in the outdoors that over 13 of this year’s grantees are led by people of colour and other historically marginalised communities, including women, LGBTQIA2S+ and disabled people.
To learn more about current and past grantees watch Hydro Flask’s Let’s Go! video series on YOU TUBE which documents the inspiring people and groups who are helping to preserve, and make more accessible, natural spaces.
This year, Hydro Flask will donate over $400,000 (£294,770) in cash and product donations to grantees globally to support projects such as building and maintaining parks, community education and more.
To learn more about Hydro Flask Parks For All grantees and a full summary of all the projects, click HERE; see a few below.
Gate To The Arctic (Norway) makes science reachable for younger generations. A grant will help support an arctic adventure for twenty teens from around the world to become Ambassadors of the Arctic Ocean. Participants will travel by boat to Bear Island to clean beaches, study plastic pollution and learn about ecosystem balance in a marginal ice zone.
We Swim Wild (UK) connects people to cold water swimming and environmental stewardship projects. A grant will provide swimming lessons and water workshops at the first annual LGBTQ2IA+ Wellness Festival, designed by queer women for queer women. Taking place in Pembrokeshire National Park in Wales, the festival will promote a greater connection to nature and physical and mental wellbeing.
The Peak District National Park Foundation (UK) is connecting with UK children from underserved cities surrounding the park to develop a life-long love of the countryside. A grant will provide transportation for eight schools to visit the park, along with outdoor experience kits packed with bug boxes, mini microscopes and waterproof suits and footwear.
Main pic – Volunteers litter-picking in the UK’s Peak District National Park Credit: Fiona Stubbs
