October 18, 2011 – Salem, Massachusetts – The School for Field Studies (SFS) has been selected as a new non-profit partner of 1% for the Planet, an alliance of over 1,380 member companies in 43 countries that give one percent of revenues to environmental causes.

SFS joins a network of diverse and global environmental organizations supported by donations from the 1% member companies. This partnership expands the potential pool of funding available for SFS field research, educational programs, and student scholarships. Annual contributions from member companies totaled over $22 million in 2010.

To address the global environmental crisis, The School for Field Studies believes it is essential to provide training for the next generation of environmental leaders. Through research, shared decision-making and field-based learning in an international setting, SFS students acquire a high level of environmental literacy along with the skills to be productive and collaborative problem-solvers. The skills and techniques they learn at a field site are applicable to problems world-wide, and embedding this field-based education in a local community reinforces the importance of the shared decision-making model and the role of each stakeholder. The solutions are rarely simple, but they are possible.

Over 2,300 environmental organizations like SFS are included in the 1% network, and over $70 million has been funneled to its non-profit partners to date. “The intent of 1% for the Planet is to help fund these diverse environmental organizations to that collectively they can be a more powerful force in solving the world’s problems,” said Yvon Chouinard, founder of 1% for the Planet.

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About The School for Field Studies
For more than 30 years, The School for Field Studies (SFS), the nation's oldest and largest environmental study abroad program for college undergraduates, has combined hands-on, multi-disciplinary environmental studies with scientific research to propose sustainable solutions to critical environmental problems. SFS students work with local communities to discover practical ways to manage their natural resources, and in the process undergo a transformational experience that helps them to advance their careers as skilled professionals and to become globally aware citizens. Visit http://www.fieldstudies.org

About 1% for the Planet
Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder and owner of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1 % for the Planet is a growing global movement of over 1,350 member companies in 43 countries that donate one percent of their sales to environmental organizations worldwide. Each day, more than one new business joins the 1% for the Planet movement. As a network, the 1% community has become a frontrunner in funding the work of environmental groups around the world. Visit http://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

CONTACT:
Leslie Granese
lgranese@fieldstudies.org
978.304.6963

Scott Lamer
slamer@fieldstudies.org
978.219.5121