Since 2017, HippyTree has supported the Surfrider Foundation's mission through a photo contest that celebrates their company identity as much as it does Surfrider's mission— honoring and protecting the places we play. Since the company's founding, they have drawn their supporters from the global community of outdoor enthusiasts, from climbers to surfers, to those who can simply appreciate well-designed, durable and functional goods fit for a life spent outdoors. In their annual #52WeeksofNature photo contest, HippyTree challenges their audience to get outside, take photos and share them with their community. Each week, the winning submission is awarded a donation to be made on their behalf by HippyTree to the nonprofit partner of their choice, for the purpose of protecting the natural places we all love. All of the images featured here were taken by photographers who selected Surfrider as the beneficiary of their donation in 2019.
Santa Pass, OR | Credit: @williamtechler
“Whether it be through our many beach cleanups, collaborating on film screenings to raise awareness or donating funds on the behalf of the winners from our #52weeksofnature campaign, it's important for HippyTree to support the Surfrider Foundation's efforts to not only keep our oceans clean but also to proactively fight the injustices by those who don't appreciate or comprehend the huge role our oceans play in the survival of humanity,” said HippyTree Director of Sales, Josh Sweeney, of our partnership.
New Mexico | Credit: @jeffjohnson101
Beyond HippyTree's support alone is the ripple of awareness and commitment to protecting wild places throughout their network of contest followers and participants. Each year, the contest culminates in an event that inspires attendees to get outside more, and reminds us all to give back to the wild places we enjoy.
Daniel Boone National Forest, KY | Credit: @alejandrosexton
To celebrate 2019's winners, we recently joined the HippyTree crew for a night of amazing photography, featuring photos from all 52 winners from HippyTree's 2019 #52weeksofnature photo contest. There, HippyTree announced the “People's Choice” and the “Professional Photographers' Choice” awards at the exhibit, judged by a panel of renowned photographers including Chris Burkard, Travis Burke, Mark McInnis, Jeremy Koreski and Ken Etzel. Congratulations to this year's winners!
Week 26 - Katie Jo Myers - @katiejo.myers was The Tribe's choice. This includes all HippyTree employees and brand ambassadors.
Week 40 - Pawan Singh - @pawansphotography was The People's Choice, which was voted by the public.
Week 19 - Jay Claus - @refujay was the People's Choice Runner Up, also voted by the public.
Week 51 - Chris Caballes - @kookstopher was the Pro's Choice, which was voted on by a renowned group of professional photographers.
To participate in this year's #52WeeksofNature awards from near or far, check out HippyTree's People's Choice Award page to vote for your favorite winning image from 2019. Thanks to our partners at HippyTree for their continued, creative and unique support for Surfrider's mission through the #52WeeksofNature contest, and to all of the winning photographers who have chosen Surfrider as their beneficiary!
To learn more about HippyTree, check out their website here.
To see more awesome photography, check out the #52WeeksofNature tag on Instagram, and join in the fun in 2020!
Header Image credit: Monument Valley, AZ | @andyhvu