There's something so awe-inspiring about a multi-day trip to a national park. The exhilaration of going on a road trip with friends and exploring a breathtaking, rugged, surreal place is one of life's greatest highlights.
Image credit: parksproject.us
It's the wonder of enjoying our planet, our world, completely unplugged from electricity and cell phones and feeling truly free.
For Keith Eshelman, that very feeling formed the movement's core mission: to restore the environment and heal parks that provide a sense of healing for humans.
Image credit: parksproject.us
Healing what heals us
“Ten years ago, we saw the environmental challenges facing the parks and stepped up to volunteer and help restore habitat,” Eshelman said. That work later grew into something much more: The Parks Project.
“Since then, we've grown into a global movement, partnered with numerous park conservation organizations, and completed countless park projects, with habitat restoration as a primary focus,” said Eshelman, co-founder of the Parks Project.
For more information on the Parks Project, visit parksproject.us.
Image credit: Jakob Lilja-Ruiz for Parks Project @portra_papi
Parks Project is not just a project, and it's not just a brand. It's a true movement, driven by a desire to leave nature better and a hope for the future of our planet. With a range of apparel and accessories, Parks Project makes fashion more meaningful than just fabric, strengthening efforts like restoration projects, supporting visitor programs to keep our national parks safe, and teaching the world.
“We're all stewards of the next generation, and we're just trying to hold the place in a better position to take over.”
– Keith Eshelman, co-founder of The Parks Project
Image credit: parksproject.us
Create practical solutions in real time
The pressing issue of the loss of nature in modern society is well known, but the problems facing parks are less well known.
“Parks are underfunded, undervolunteer, and need more knowledgeable allies, warriors, and caretakers. In some cases, it's about reversing the negative impacts we've caused, like removing invasive species, and rebalancing natural ecosystems to healthy states by promoting the reproduction of healthy native species. It's a balance. In other cases, it's about supporting projects that are part of nature-led climate resilience programs to prepare for climate change. And in all situations, it's about working to ensure that all humans can be active participants in the healing benefits of time spent on our common lands,” explains Eshelman.
Image credit: Jakob Lilja-Ruiz for Parks Project @portra_papi
Since its inception, Parks Project boasts that it has “undertaken hundreds of projects and is on track to complete thousands of projects in its first decade.”
It is great to see that we can tackle such difficult challenges and solve them effectively for the improvement of our parks.
Image credit: Jakob Lilja-Ruiz for Parks Project @portra_papi
Adding style to sustainability
With a quick scroll through the Parks Project website, you'll find a wide range of vintage-inspired, retro-hip shirts, hoodies, and merchandise that will suit the granola lifestyle as well as today's fashion-forward streetwear style. Overall, pieces that are not only great for casual wear, but something you'll be proud to wear to show your support for an important cause.
“We started with just T-shirts, then we realized we could bring the parks into your home or make camping gear so you could take the parks with you. These moves, which seemed risky at the time, are what made The Parks Project unique and contributed to its history of success,” Eshelman says.
Image credit: parksproject.us
“And since the beginning, continuous improvement — getting 1% better every day — has been the root of our success. We've always been a step ahead of the curve, creating innovative graphics and combining category expansions and on-trend collaborations to show how we can all come together to do cool things that benefit the parks.”
So, without further ado, here are our absolute favorites from Parks Project that you can check out to support their important mission and make a statement.
A simple homage to Big Sur
This design is truly a dream come true.
Shop the Big Sur Bridges Puff Print Pocket T-Shirt here.
Image credit: parksproject.us
There's nothing more surreal than a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, and Parks Project captures that beautiful moment with stylish graphic design.
This oversized blocky tee features a cool design with an outline of PCH spelling out “Big Sur” in a cool blocky font. As always, Parks Project promises quality with a soft and comfortable 100% cotton fabric.
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Urban and hip atmosphere
This is the ultimate graphic tee: playful, but not overdone and boring.
Purchase the San Francisco Parks Alliance's Park Lovers pocket t-shirt here.
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The hipness of this shirt perfectly captures the spirit of San Francisco – the rolling hills and bustling city life, a diverse and eclectic collision of busyness and fun.
I love that this shirt is a collaboration with SF Parks Alliance, San Francisco's only citywide parks nonprofit, so every penny from your purchase from this collection will be donated to SF Parks Alliance.
Image credit: parksproject.us
Comfort and state-of-the-art facilities
Who says winter clothes have to be boring? Add a little flair to your fleece!
Shop the Acadia Waves Trail High Pile Fleece here.
Image credit: parksproject.us
If you love nature walks and visiting national parks, you know how cold the nights can get. The Acadia Waves Trail High Pile Fleece is made to be worn during cold weather as well as on unforgettable adventures.
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I love the cool mountain print – it's so effortlessly cool and not too trendy, plus it's super thick so it feels warm and cozy.
Fluffy socks for victory
Who doesn't love fluffy socks?
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Yellowstone Geysers Cozy Socks can be purchased here.
These super soft and cozy socks feel just like a dream, and as a fluffy sock lover, I can confidently say that these may truly be the softest socks I've ever touched.
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I've collected quite a few fluffy socks over the years, but these socks are one of the few that are truly durable and have retained their original softness. Needless to say, I'm obsessed.
The ultimate versatile hoodie
Once you love hoodies, you love hoodies for life.
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You can buy the Joshua Tree Puff Print Hoodie here.
I find it much more comfortable and easy to wear a hoodie than any other outerwear, and I agree. That being said, I wasn't surprised that this hoodie caught my attention, but I also didn't expect to love it as much as I did.
Image credit: parksproject.us
Paying homage to the iconic Joshua Tree National Park, this black hoodie is accented with teal and sunshine yellow, making it the perfect everyday essential.
Image credit: parksproject.us
Keeping up with the Parks Project
Want to connect with Parks Project and support their mission to make the world a better place? Find them on Instagram @parksproject.
