Who We Are
Welcome to Emerger Strategies! Inspired by nature, I started my company to protect what I love…this gift we call planet Earth. I grew up in Savannah, GA spending much of my life on the water boating, kayaking, surfing, and fishing, but it was while I was living in Wyoming that fly fishing taught me that everything in nature is interconnected. Just as a mayfly, a sipping trout, and a river ecosystem are connected, so are our businesses and the planet, and I have a vision of businesses and the environment thriving together. Since 2016, we’ve partnered with fishing & outdoor brands, as well as industry trade associations, to make the business case for sustainability.
We bridge the gap between environmental responsibility and profitability by providing clear, actionable strategies that reduce environmental impact and aligns each client’s sustainability goals with measurable outcomes that support their unique business objectives.
Our vision is a socially just, economically inclusive, and environmentally restorative planet for the benefit of future generations.
Our Mission: To measure and improve your sustainability performance, all while boosting profits.
Our Values: Honesty. Integrity. Innovation. Quality. Compassion. Love.
In fly fishing, an “emerger” is a term used to describe a specific stage in the life cycle of aquatic insects, particularly mayflies, caddisflies, and midges, as they transform from water-dwelling nymphs into winged adults. During this stage, the insects rise toward the water’s surface, struggling to break free from their exoskeletons and emerge into their adult form. Similarly, we transform businesses from take>make>waste business models into businesses that are circular, mindful, and restorative.
I am grateful and lucky to have found a way to marry my passion for fishing and sustainability, and I hope to educate as many businesses as possible, and help them improve their sustainability performance so that our oceans, rivers, and fisheries thrive for generations to come. Thanks for taking the time to visit our website, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Protect what you love,
Rick 
What We Do
At Emerger Strategies, we partner with fishing & outdoor brands by helping them navigate the complex world of sustainability compliance while unlocking cost savings, reducing risk, and strengthening brand reputation. Our expertise ensures that companies meet retailer sustainability requirements, avoid penalties, and gain a competitive edge—without the need for a full-time sustainability team. Our services include:
Compliance: Stay Ahead of Regulatory & Retailer Demands
The Problem:
Sustainability-related regulations, such as climate disclosures, Extended Producer Responsbility (EPR), and others are on the rise, and big-box retailers like Walmart, REI, and Target now require suppliers to meet strict sustainability reporting standards (e.g., CDP, THESIS, REI Product Impact Standards, Scopes 1-3 GHG emissions). Companies that fail to comply risk costly fees from regulators, losing shelf space and revenue.
Our Solution:
Emerger Strategies simplifies compliance by handling the complex sustainability reporting for you. We ensure your business meets regulatory and retailer expectations, responds accurately to sustainability assessments, and stays ahead of evolving regulations.
ROI: Compliance is no longer optional—it’s the cost of doing business. We help you avoid lost revenue and exceed retailer’s expectations.
Cost Savings: Sustainability = Profitability
The Problem:
Many businesses view sustainability as an added expense rather than a cost-saving opportunity. The reality? Inefficiencies in energy, waste, and supply chains increase operating costs unnecessarily.
Our Solution:
We help businesses cut costs by identifying sustainability-driven efficiency improvements, reducing waste, and optimizing operations.
ROI: Our clients have saved thousands of dollars in operational expenses through sustainability improvements.
Risk Mitigation: Future-Proof Your Business
The Problem:
Brands that don’t take sustainability seriously are at risk of: losing retail partnerships for non-compliance; facing lawsuits and regulatory fines for PFAS, EPR, and emissions violations; and damaging their reputation in an era where consumers and investors demand sustainability transparency.
Our Solution:
We help businesses identify, manage, and mitigate sustainability risks before they impact revenue.
ROI: Brands that take sustainability seriously experience higher customer loyalty, reduced legal risks, and stronger long-term growth.
Emerger Strategies helps outdoor and fishing brands navigate sustainability compliance, reduce costs, and mitigate risks—ensuring they remain competitive and profitable in today’s evolving marketplace. We make sustainability simple and profitable. Learn more about our Sustainability Consulting Services.
Clients & Testimonials
As Seen In
2023: Rick Crawford, is named in the “50 Most Influential People” by Charleston Business Magazine.
2022: Rick Crawford is named “one of the fifteen people, places, and ideas forging the South of tomorrow” and named “The Lowcountry’s Green Guide” by Garden & Gun Magazine in the April/May 2022 fifteenth anniversary issue.
Additionally, Emerger Strategies was featured in the 2021 Patagonia film DROP, which follows a single drop of water from its starting point atop the Continental Divide to its final destination in the Pacific Ocean:
