First comes wonder. Then comes care.

Outward Bound has joined 1% for the Planet as a certified Environmental Partner, creating new opportunities for businesses to support our work with young people and the natural world.

For us, this is not just about recognition. It is about connection.

Every year, thousands of young people come to Outward Bound and step into wild places that many have never experienced before. A loch at first light, a ridge line in the rain, a woodland path shared with people they only met that morning.

First comes wonder, then comes care.

These moments matter. Because care for the natural world does not begin with a policy, a poster or a statistic. It often begins with a real experience of being in it.

What is 1% for the Planet?

1% for the Planet is a global network that brings businesses and environmental organisations together around a simple idea: supporting people and planet through meaningful action.

Members commit to donating 1% of their annual sales to approved environmental partners. It is a clear and transparent way for businesses to turn environmental commitment into practical support.

Founded by Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard, 1% for the Planet has roots that feel closely aligned with Outward Bound: helping people connect with wild places, and protecting those places for generations to come.

Why this matters to Outward Bound

Young people are growing up in a world shaped by climate anxiety, reduced access to nature and fewer chances to experience the outdoors first hand.

For many of the communities we work with, green space is limited. Wild places can feel distant, unfamiliar or out of reach. And yet we know that young people are far more likely to care for nature when they have had the chance to experience it for themselves.

Our programmes help make that possible.

Through outdoor learning, young people build confidence, independence and resilience. They also develop a deeper awareness of the environment around them, and their own role in protecting it.

After an Outward Bound course, 89% of young people report increased environmental awareness, while 74% gain clearer insight into conservation and human impact.

That is why wonder matters. It opens the door. It turns nature from an abstract idea into something felt, remembered and understood.

And from there, care can grow.

What this means for partners

Becoming an approved 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner means businesses can now support Outward Bound through their 1% pledge.

It also gives our existing supporters the chance to join a global network of more than 5,000 businesses who are certifying and spotlighting their environmental commitment through membership.

We are looking forward to building relationships with businesses who share our belief that young people need more than information about the natural world. They need time in it. Challenge in it. Joy in it. A sense that they belong to it.

Together, we can help more young people access wild places, build confidence in themselves and develop the connection they need to care for the world around them.