Giving Back on Earth Day: Because Wishing Won’t Save the Planet

Want to make the world a better place? As the ever-defiant environmentalist, Edward Abbey, suggested ‘Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul.’ So get involved. Don’t just be another cog in the climate crisis machine—be the machine. Take charge. Plant a tree, clean up a trail, build something that lasts

It doesn’t matter where you stand politically—Earth Day isn’t about hashtags, selfies, or overpriced artisanal bottled water. It’s a reminder that the planet isn’t just a backdrop, it’s home. Think of it as Valentine’s Day for Mother Nature—your yearly nudge to show her some real love.

Maybe that means ditching your plastic junk for durable gear, finally committing to composting, or volunteering to teach an environmental education class at the local grade school. Small steps matter when it comes to environmental protection, but real change isn’t a solo trek—it’s a full-blown expedition. That’s where Columbia Sportswear comes in. We’re not just throwing out feel-good slogans; we’re laying down the trail so you can move from intention to action. Earth Day, with its host of activities, may be officially celebrated on April 22nd, but here’s how you can make a difference year-round.

Want to make a real impact? With staffing cuts hitting hard, local, state, and national parks need volunteers more than ever. Check out opportunities near you—or, if you're in the Pacific Northwest, roll up your sleeves at Oregon's Smith Rock State Park for the annual Spring Thing, where climbers, conservationists, and volunteers put muscle behind their words.

Brandon Thomas, Columbia Sportswear’s digital project manager and a longtime rock climber, has been rallying volunteers for this grassroots cleanup for a decade. His efforts are a personal passion for the area he loves. "Spring Thing is made possible by people who dedicate their time and energy to something greater than themselves. The selflessness that powers this event year after year has remained the same," explains Thomas. "But we do dress better than we used to." Today, volunteers still get their boots—and hands—dirty and work all day—just with better gear, thanks in part to support from brands like Columbia and prAna, which is both an Access Fund sponsor and one of Columbia’s sister brands.

Every year, Columbia Sportswear employees join the effort—Smith Rock is close enough to the brand’s headquarters for a weekend jaunt—with the company donating products for the event’s raffle since its inception. Spring Thing isn’t just a token effort—it’s the largest crag cleanup in the country, a living, breathing example of what happens when people who care about the land take charge. Supported by The Access Fund, a national nonprofit dedicated to preserving climbing access, this event brings together passionate individuals to protect and maintain the legendary landscape of Smith Rock.

Ian Caldwell, a board member of the Smith Rock Group, which organizes Spring Thing, has seen this commitment grow over 30 years. What started as a small effort between park rangers and local climbers has morphed into an all-hands-on-deck, boots-on-the-ground operation. "We have about 300 volunteers on that single day, but our board works all year on fundraising, advertising, and event promotion," Caldwell says.

The Access Fund has also provided Smith Rock Group with a grant to build retaining walls at The Monument, a climbing area that’s quickly growing in popularity. Since The Monument is closed part of the year for golden eagle nesting, Smith Rock now hosts the "Fall Thing" to tackle those projects.

Want to help? Pack gloves, grit, and a sense of humor. “It’s a great opportunity to get outside, meet new people, and make a tangible difference,” Thomas says. “When you’ve helped with the Spring Thing, you’ll be able to point to a trail or retaining wall and say, ‘I built that.’ And it’ll still be there next year.”

Sometimes, national-level action isn’t enough; we need global coordination to make an impact. That’s where Conservation International comes in, with its mission to protect critical ecosystems, combat climate change, and support local communities. It works with local and Indigenous communities worldwide to secure land rights, restore degraded areas, and promote sustainable practices that ensure long-term environmental and economic benefits.

For 2025, Conservation International is scaling up efforts to protect and restore tropical forests, expand ocean protections, and push for “nature-positive economies”—economic models that sustain, rather than deplete, the environment. "A healthy planet means healthy people. Destroying forests accelerates climate change, wipes out biodiversity, and even threatens public health," says Senior Director of Sustainable Fashion at Conservation International, Virginia Keesee. “We need to flip the script—from nature as something to exploit, to nature as something we depend on for clean air and water.”

With nearly 3 billion people in tropical regions relying on nature for survival, local communities are essential stewards of the land. Conservation International identifies key areas for protection, ensures nature’s role is recognized in global agreements, and works with communities and businesses to shift economic models toward conservation and sustainability.

“We’re expanding efforts to protect and restore tropical forests, increase ocean protections, and advocate for ‘nature-positive economies’ that prioritize conservation over destruction,” says Keesee. “By working with communities on sustainable incentives and partnering with corporations to reduce their impact, we aim to transform 99 million acres of critical lands and waters into protected, sustainable ecosystems.”

Columbia Sportswear is helping drive this change. Through its partnership with Conservation International--since 2022--it is working to help safeguard 1.7 million trees by 2027—protecting forests that more than 1.6 billion people depend on for shelter, water, and food. Since the 1960s, over half of the world’s tropical forests have been lost, making conservation efforts more urgent than ever.

"Columbia and Conservation International share a deep commitment to protecting the places we explore," explains Keesee. "By working together we’re ensuring that forests—essential for people, wildlife, and climate—continue to thrive for generations to come."

Individuals can support Conservation International by donating, advocating for policy change, and making sustainable living choices. While there’s no formal volunteer program, people can engage through awareness campaigns, citizen science, and local advocacy. For eco-conscious travelers, Conservation International partners with ecotourism initiatives that promote biodiversity and sustainability. As Keesee notes, “Your purchasing choices may be the biggest way you affect conservation daily. By supporting companies that integrate sustainability into their operations, like Columbia does, you help steer attention and funding to conservation."

From the trails we hike to the lakes we fish, conservation plays a crucial role in protecting the places we love—yet it often happens quietly, behind the scenes. "Making progress on today’s environmental problems seems out of reach for any one individual," acknowledges Emma George, Associate Director of Corporate Relations at the Land Trust Alliance. "Engaging in land conservation, including supporting local land trusts, is an easy and tangible way for anyone to have a positive impact."

These local land trusts protect farms, fields, forests, wetlands, parks, gardens, and trails. Land trusts across the country are saving land and harnessing the power of conservation to help make their communities stronger. In 2020, 16.7 million people visited land trust preserves, which include more than 9,000 miles of trails in the US. Support land trusts by donating or volunteering—a surefire way to meet like-minded people, explore breathtaking landscapes you’d probably never find on your own, and do something tangible with a lasting impact.

Since 2023, Columbia has been partnering with the Land Trust Alliance to support its Gaining Ground campaign, which has helped conserve over 61 million acres of private land nationwide. Working in 93% of U.S. counties, the Alliance is striving to double the number of protected acres by 2030—an ambitious goal we’re proud to stand behind.

Land trusts help combat climate change in several ways: protecting forests that absorb carbon, conserving wetlands that prevent flooding, and ensuring that wildlife has safe migration corridors. “Land trusts are committed to ensuring that everyone can access the many benefits of nature, including places to relax, recreate, and recharge,” George says. "We must act swiftly, with all the tools at our disposal, to implement a critical response: natural climate solutions. Land conservation offers solutions to some of the major challenges of our times, including climate change, physical and mental health crises, and ensuring that everyone can access the many benefits of nature."

Columbia Sportswear Company plays an essential role in these efforts. In 2025, Columbia’s Tough Mother Funder program will partner with the Land Trust Alliance via direct donations from retail stores to land trust grantees in the communities where they operate. Customers can round up and donate at Columbia retail stores in the U.S., with donations going directly to the Land Trust Alliance from January 1 to March 31 and October 1 to December 31, 2025. "Columbia Sportswear Company’s commitment to land conservation means real impact on the ground," George says. "Columbia’s partnership with land trusts and the Land Trust Alliance will go a long way towards doubling the amount of land conserved by the end of 2030.” 

Take action by visiting  FindaLandTrust.org  to find a land trust near you. Swap screen time for green time for a day of hiking, fishing or simply exploring.