At Emerger Strategies, sustainability isn’t just the work we do — it’s who we are. Inspired by Yvon Chouinard and Craig Mathews who created 1% for the Planet by deciding to donate 1% of their annual sales to environmental nonprofits, we have are grateful to be 1% for the Planet members since our inception, making our commitment before we had our first sale. We have spent the last nine years simplifying sustainable business for fishing and outdoor brands while protecting the places that we love. That commitment is why we proudly donate 1% of our annual revenue to environmental nonprofits through our 1% for the Planet membership.
Giving back is an essential part of our business model because sustainability requires all of us — businesses, nonprofits, communities, and anglers — to take intentional, responsible action to protect nature and biodiversity, take climate action, and defend our public lands, all while inspiring the next generation to protect what you love too. Today, we want to highlight three organizations we are supporting in 2025: The Sustainability Institute, Coastal Expeditions Foundation, and The Conservation Alliance. Each plays a long-term, impactful role in advancing conservation, climate resilience, and community wellbeing.
Why We Support The Sustainability Institute (Charleston, SC)
Based in our home community of Charleston, SC, The Sustainability Institute is a leader in building a more energy-efficient, equitable, and resilient Lowcountry. Their work — from home energy upgrades for low-income families to hands-on workforce development programs — aligns with our belief in practical, people-centered solutions that protect both communities and the planet.
We support The Sustainability Institute because their approach is:
- Constructive and community-driven, creating real change at the household and neighborhood levels by lowering energy costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions with energy efficiency
- Responsible and ethical, prioritizing those who are most vulnerable to climate and energy burdens
- Empowering, providing job training that builds a skilled, sustainability-focused workforce
- Long-term and impactful, reducing emissions and strengthening energy resilience year after year
Their mission resonates deeply with our own commitment to equitable, holistic, and practical sustainability. You can support The Sustainability Institute’s mission of “Advancing sustainable and resilient communities while building the next generation of conservation leaders” by making a donation.
Learn more about SI on our interview with Bryan Cordell on The Sustainable Angler podcast:
Why We Support Coastal Expeditions Foundation (Charleston, SC)
Charleston’s outdoor spaces — marshes, estuaries, beaches, and rivers — are part of our identity. The Coastal Expeditions Foundation is devoted to protecting these places through conservation, habitat restoration, wildlife rescue, and environmental education programs.
We support them because they embody what we value most:
- Intentional stewardship of Charleston’s natural ecosystems
- Courageous, hands-on conservation, from shorebird & sea turtle protection to island restoration
- Educational programs that inspire the next generation of naturalists, anglers, paddlers, and conservationists
- A holistic approach, connecting recreation with responsibility
Their work is essential to ensuring that Charleston’s coastal ecosystems remain healthy, vibrant, and resilient — not just for today, but for future generations. You can support the Coastal Expeditions Foundation’s mission “to keep the Lowcountry wild through habitat preservation, public access to nature, and immersive education” by making a donation today!
You can also learn more about their work by listening to my interview with Chris Crolley on The Sustainable Angler podcast:
Why We Support The Conservation Alliance
As a sustainability consulting firm serving fishing and outdoor brands, we believe that protecting wild places is good not only for the planet — but for the entire outdoor economy. The Conservation Alliance brings together purpose-driven businesses across the outdoor industry to fund and advocate for the protection of public lands and waters.
We contribute to The Conservation Alliance because they reflect the values we stand for:
- Powerful, unified action for defending public lands and protecting the places we all depend on
- Effective conservation investments that safeguard biodiversity and natural habitats
- Advocacy grounded in fairness, science, and long-term thinking
- A collaborative, energetic network of outdoor companies working toward a shared purpose
Their track record of protecting millions of acres of land and thousands of miles of rivers demonstrates the impact we can have when business steps up for conservation. You can support The Conservation Alliance’s mission to “harness the collective power of business and outdoor communities to fund and advocate for the protection of North America’s wild places” by making a donation today!
Learn more about the great work TCA is doing with my interview with Paul Hendricks on The Sustainable Angler podcast:
Giving Back Is Part of Our DNA
We know that even our little sustainability consultancy makes an environmental impact, which is why we try to do our part by giving back to nonprofits who are making the Lowcountry and all of American more sustainable by defending public lands, taking climate action, and protecting & restoring nature and biodiversity, all of which helps people because we are part of nature.
Through our 1% for the Planet membership, we’re able to partner with organizations that share these values and take meaningful, measurable action to protect people and the planet.
Supporting The Sustainability Institute, Coastal Expeditions Foundation, and The Conservation Alliance isn’t charity — it’s a strategic, harmonious investment in the health of our communities, our natural resources, and the outdoor industry we serve.