As we head into the summer and the peak holiday season, it’s easy to focus on the usual warm-weather rituals: picnics, drinks and bbqs.
But taking a moment to head outside isn’t just a physical reset; it’s a powerful reminder of why we do the work we do.
When we step into nature, we see the very ecosystems, biodiversity, and green spaces we strive to protect every single day. Sustainability and circularity aren’t abstract frameworks or corporate targets; they are real-world commitments to preserving the environment we’re standing in right now. Reconnecting with the outdoors grounds our efforts, sparks fresh innovation, and reinforces our collective responsibility.
We’re all taking some time off over the summer, and so we’re taking it in turns to share our thoughts and experiences with you in our Friday Thoughts. This week, we’re crossing the Atlantic to hear from Stacey…
I’m writing this from Utah, home to some of the most breathtaking red rock canyons on Earth – landscapes I’ve been lucky enough to hike, camp in, and get quietly humbled by more times than I can count. So when federal protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments were rolled back this month, it stirred something. Places like these are rare, irreplaceable, and absolutely worth protecting.
What’s been genuinely inspiring is watching the outdoor industry rise to meet the moment. Patagonia has reactivated its Action Works campaign urging people to defend Bears Ears alongside the Indigenous tribes who’ve stewarded the land for generations. Black Diamond has taken its advocacy straight to Washington, D.C., meeting with lawmakers to push back on efforts to strip protections from Grand Staircase-Escalante. REI has stood up its own advocacy network encouraging members to speak up, and all three are members of The Conservation Alliance, the business coalition funding and advocating for public lands protection across North America. Different brands, same instinct: protect the thing that makes the outdoors worth experiencing.
As a product person, that’s the note I keep coming back to. It’s a great example of what happens when product and retail companies use the trust they’ve built with consumers to drive real, positive change.
So as we wrap up another week, we encourage you to get outdoors this weekend. Observe the details, take a moment to reflect on the ecosystems that allow even the smallest spaces in nature to thrive.
Taking time-out is so important. True long-term impact requires sustainable energy from all of us too, and everyone needs time to rest and recharge.
Enjoy the sunshine, soak up the fresh air and have a wonderful, regenerative weekend.
Team POC 🌱
