Alaskan Brewing Co. Launches Initiative for a Healthy Western Coastline
Coastal CODE to help the ocean one beer at a time
JUNEAU, ALASKA (June 2007)
The Alaskan Brewing Co. has created the Coastal CODE (Clean Oceans Depend on Everyone) to encourage everyone to keep our oceans healthy. The small craft brewery located in the coastal community of Juneau, Alaska, is committing 1% of proceeds from its newly released Alaskan IPA to the Coastal CODE Fund, created in partnership with The Ocean Foundation. This unique initiative combines efforts from ocean-minded organizations, a Portland artist and hundreds of Pacific Northwestern residents to clean up and protect all 7,863 miles of coastline in California, Oregon, and Washington, and the more than 44,000 miles of coastline in Alaska.
Big problems like global warming and ocean pollution can feel overwhelming, but if each of us does something small, together we can make a big difference.
said Marcy Larson, co-founder of Alaskan Brewing Co. “We’re happy to do our part by donating 1% of our IPA proceeds and participating in beach cleanups. We chose ocean preservation because the ocean is such an important resource to us in Alaska as well as other states where we sell beer.”
The crew at Alaskan Brewing Co. wanted to involve others in the initiative, so they called on the University of Washington’s S.U.R.F. Club and the Coastal Society and the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition’s CoastWatch program. These groups surveyed more than 500 Pacific Northwesterners about the Pacific Ocean and its needs. Nearly 100 percent of respondents answered yes to the statement “I am concerned about the health of the world’s oceans” and more than 50 percent thought the condition of the Pacific Ocean and western coastline is poor or at-risk.
The encouraging news is that 98.4 percent said they are willing to make at least one change to help improve the ocean. The answers to “Name one thing that you can or will do to help protect the Pacific Ocean and your beaches and coastline” ran the gamut, from “reduce my carbon footprint” to “cut the plastic rings on a six-pack of soda.”
As the survey results came in, there developed an unmistakable pattern of caring and support for our ocean. Based on the resulting pattern, a simple five-part CODE was written to serve as a code of conduct, providing small but significant acts that anyone can do to help the ocean. The CODE reads:
“This CODE has the potential to spread awareness of our ocean’s needs and act as a call to action for people who care about this precious resource,” said Mark J. Spalding, president of The Ocean Foundation. “It’s refreshing to see a company take responsibility for the environment. The fact that the Coastal CODE initiative is so creative, fun and engaging is very exciting. This kind of leadership can help turn the tide in ocean conservation.”
The Coastal CODE Fund, created by Alaskan Brewing Co. in partnership with The Ocean Foundation, will provide grants for such activities as beach cleanups, water quality improvement and conservation education.
After the CODE was written, a Portland artist donated his time and talent to illustrate the CODE’s message with unique surfboard designs. Spencer Reynolds created a design that was then imprinted on surfboards made from environmentally friendly “Bio Foam.” This one-of-a-kind surfboard material from surfboard manufacturer Home Blown is partially made from plant material and is aligned with the Coastal CODE’s spirit of environmental consciousness. Some of the surfboards will be exhibited to help spread awareness of the Coastal CODE and serve as a reminder for all to help keep the oceans clean. A few of the limited-edition boards will also be auctioned off on the Coastal CODE web site, with proceeds going to the Coastal CODE Fund.
The web site also offers beach cleanup and volunteer opportunities, insights on ocean conservation from key figures, and opportunities to fund the program through direct donations and the purchase of Coastal CODE T-shirts and surfboards.
While the Coastal CODE is more visible than other efforts of Alaskan Brewing, philanthropy is nothing new to the brewery. “We have a long history of giving back to the community, whether it’s donating our tip jar proceeds to charities or donating our time to clean up hiking trails,” Larson said. “The Coastal CODE is another expression of our culture of responsibility and giving.”
The web site also offers beach cleanup and volunteer opportunities, insights on ocean conservation from key figures, and opportunities to fund the program through direct donations and the purchase of Coastal CODE T-shirts and surfboards.
While the Coastal CODE is more visible than other efforts of Alaskan Brewing, philanthropy is nothing new to the brewery. We have a long history of giving back to the community, whether it’s donating our tip jar proceeds to charities or donating our time to clean up hiking trails, Larson said. The Coastal CODE is another expression of our culture of responsibility and giving.
About Alaskan Brewing Company
The Alaskan Brewing Co. distributes internationally award-winning beers throughout Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. Founded in 1986, Alaskan Brewing Co. is the oldest operating brewery in Alaska. The Juneau-based brewery produces Alaskan Amber, Pale, ESB, IPA and Stout year-round, as well as seasonal releases of Smoked Porter, Winter Ale and Summer Ale. For more information, visit www.alaskanbeer.com.
About The Ocean Foundation
The Ocean Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides high-end philanthropic advice regarding conservation of the coast and oceans. Its mission is to support, strengthen, and promote those organizations dedicated to reversing the trend of destruction of ocean environments around the world. The foundation is a community foundation for the oceans, meaning it raises funds and then re-grants those funds with the advice of its donors and ocean conservation experts. For more information, visit www.oceanfdn.org.
About Spencer Reynolds
Artist Spencer Reynolds learned to surf growing up in the coastal town of Brookings, Ore. His love of surfing has taken him to Australia, Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Japan and Indonesia and has been a tool in connecting with other cultures and helping people in need. Reynolds combines his love of surfing with painting. “I’ve always been captivated by waves and riding them. The force and beauty of waves is the main subject matter for my paintings. Surfing is a part of my life that makes me feel really alive, and gives me passion to paint.” For more information, visit www.artandsurf.com.
Contact:
Phiphi Tran
213.925.7167
ptran@westboundcommunications.com
Scott Smith
310.497.5081
ssmith@westboundcommunications.com