Happy Earth Day! We are SUPER proud to be an eco friendly company. So much so, we have made our product and process as eco friendly as we can make it. Read about some of the awesome features of our product, packaging, and process! Also, we work with some amazing conservation companies who we wanted to highlight. You can check them out below!
Don’t fret! All of our stickers are sustainably sourced and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
The Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) mission is to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world’s forests. We are committed to creating a sustainable future, both with our products as well as our business practices. We kinda have a thing for wood so we do everything we can to make sure there’s plenty of it for years to come.
Why Wood Stickers? Vinyl is a plastic substance the earth cannot digest. Dust City Designs has worked to “Keep Vinyl Stickers out of our Waterways”. Our biodegradable, sustainably sourced, wood stickers offer a guilt free version of the classic sticker.
Our hang tags are printed on recycled content paper. This paper is made from a combination of both recycled material as well as non-recycled material. All of the non-recycled paper material is sustainably sourced and Forest Stewardship Council certified.
Stickers come packaged in a biodegradable cellophane sleeve. Unlike plastic, cellophane is made from a plant based material called cellulose which is fully compostable. This allows for the packaging to break down over time, leaving no remnants. We also use biodegradable and compostable packing peanuts!
Shipped in sustainably sourced boxes and mailers. Based in Louisville, Colorado, the company Eco Enclose offers everything from boxes, to mailers, to packaging tape, all sustainably sourced and environmentally friendly! They supply our shipping boxes and mailers that all of our Wood Stickers go out in.
Our Wood Stickers will fully biodegrade!
Vinyl stickers are extremely toxic to produce and even more toxic to consume. When a vinyl sticker breaks down, it leaves behind tiny pieces of micro-plastic that ultimately pollute our land and waterways. When our Wood Stickers break down, they leave behind only wood that can fully biodegrade. Our Wood Stickers will last just as long as a traditional sticker.
Made in the USA. From start to finish, our Wood Stickers are made 100% in the United States. This means far less of a carbon foot print is created from the transportation and sourcing of materials. We print, cut, packaging and ship all from our headquarters based in Denver, Colorado. Interested in seeing our operation in person? Let us know! We love to have visitors to the shop.
Check out these amazing companies we work with who also support conservation of the Earth.
Coral Restoration Foundation's mission is to facilitate the spread and survival of coral reefs.
Grand Canyon Conservancy's objective is to maintain and educate about the Grand Canyon.
Coimatan, based out of Minnesota, has made it their goal to help support small businesses in their area and to connect them with the people in their community. Specifically, they have focused on using art as a means to help convey their message of unity in their Art Unites campaign.
Dust City Wood Sticker had the pleasure of collaborating with Coimatan on some custom Wood Stickers for their Art Unites campaign. They worked with local Minnesotan artists to each create a unique design with the theme of Minnesotans Unite. Their goal with these designs was to spread a message of positivity and unity in a year that has been filled with negativity and separation.
They have since taken this message even further and have begun to offer additional resources to local businesses. Most recently, they released a BIPOC small business directory to help showcase Minnesotan locals BIPOC business across Minnesota.
A sustainable lifestyle brand based in Lake Havasu City, AZ; ZippNada's goal is to provide you with the tools needed to be successful in your own zero waste journey. To them zero-waste is about making good conscious decisions. Its not about being perfect, it's about being better.
Their website features high-quality, affordable, zero-waste gear and education -- including Wood Stickers!
As the founder of ZippNada, Kaylee focuses on zero waste waste education in rural communities and providing high quality, affordable, locally made zero waste gear to help others along their journey.
Featured on the ZippNada website, is the Zero Waste Swap Guide!
A guide full of zero-waste swaps for the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, traveling, school, office, and cleaning!
"I know that everyone lives a different lifestyle and is at a different point along their journey, so most recommendations come with a few options ranging from "better" to most "sustainable" so you can implement swaps that work for YOU.
by Kaylee BakerJust like other types of coaching, a zero-waste coach means that you will always have someone to support you along your journey and help guide you through the process. You will save time, money, avoid common bumps in the road, and overall have a smoother experience. Here are some areas ZippNada will help you:
ZippNada features all things zero-waste, and will help YOU on your journey. To learn more, check out their website.
Humble Dirt is a small business that offers unique, artisan crafted products with sustainably sourced, eco-friendly materials -- and some include Wood Stickers! We were so excited to get to work with this company, and having some of their products feature our stickers definitely gives off the perfect fall vibe. With a company mission similar to ours, Humble Dirt features candles, lanterns, seed collections, and more!
It was a Saturday afternoon. The sun was shining. My mind needed a break from my phone screen. My body needed to move. In my garage I came across a single piece of unused lumber. My hands gravitated towards the piece of lumber. My first planter box. Nice! The garden box was tiny, but solid. The box was built with untreated local redwood and galvanized finish nails. I splashed a little artwork on it. What now? I‘ll need to buy some seeds and hope something grows.
One warm evening, I went outside to enjoy the sunset while sitting in my tiny garden. Mosquitoes attacked me at every angle. What now? I’ll need to find a natural, eco-friendly repellent.
From humble beginnings, with not knowing much about the outdoors, I began to learn more about mother nature in all her glory. Inspiration, when nurtured, can spark the curiosity to growth. The possibilities are endless, thus Humble Dirt was born.
Our materials are eco-friendly, sustainably sourced and artisan crafted in the USA. Each product has a story and meaning to be multi-functional, reusable, recycled, or to be returned to the dirt to biodegrade in mother nature.
Humble Dirt Creator, SheilaTheir materials are eco-friendly, sustainably sourced and artisan crafted in the USA. Each product has a story and meaning to be multi-functional, reusable, recycled, or to be returned to the dirt to biodegrade in mother nature.
No bugs, no bites with this candle collection.
Each 5oz candle comes with a 100% USA virgin cotton muslin bag (5x7) hand stamped with acid free ink. Wax blend is virgin soy, coconut wax and minuscule amount of food grade paraffin wax blend. Fragrance oil is all natural citronella certified insect repellent, lemongrass, cedar, and mandarin.
Each candle is in a recycled amber glass vessel that is carefully handcrafted by artist from start to finish. Candle has a clean burning, sustainably sourced, crackling real wood burning wick.
Sweet Horizons will uplift you to Look On the Bright Side of the day, With The New Day Comes New Strength and New Thoughts, while traveling or living the California Dream. Humble Dirt products are designed with the environment in mind. Entire candle is eco-friendly and can be recycled or reused.
Each 16oz (4 Pint | 473ml) Ball Mason jar contains a LED solar lid with handle that is outdoor friendly.
The mason jar is light, bright and durable making it versatile for all outdoor use. Ideal for yards, outdoor parties, camping and beyond. Lanterns may be used indoors. Best near a window or ample indoor light source for charging. Ideal as a night light, or ambient indoor lighting.
Lanterns include additional lid/band to convert into water canister, or other uses as desired. BPA Free; Made in USA (labeling water safe). Lanterns also come with one Paracord Bracelet 5-1 with Flint Fire Starter, Compass, Emergency Whistle & Knife/Scraper (design color varies).
Peach trees and summer sun with lots of fun. Sweet smells of the garden bring garden friends. Product tag is made from “seed paper.” Please recycle it by planting it in soil and watch it bloom.
Wax blend is virgin soy, coconut wax and minuscule amount of food grade paraffin wax blend. Fragrance oil is certified all natural with sweet notes of peach, tangerine, apricot, and vanilla. Each candle is in a recycled amber glass vessel that is carefully handcrafted by artist from start to finish.
Alongside these amazing prodcuts, Humble Dirt volunteers at local non-profit community events that focus on growing a better world. They have participated in community clean up, wetland restoration, Earth Day events, food banks and more!
They were founded in response to the wide-spread loss of the dominant coral species on the Florida Reef Tract. The Coral Restoration Foundation™ is headquartered in Key Largo, Florida. The story of Coral Restoration Foundation™ begins with Ken Nedimyer, a commercial fish collector and live rock farmer who, as a longtime resident of the Florida Keys, had seen, first-hand, the decline of the local reefs through the decades.
Over the last 40 years, coral reefs in the Florida Keys have suffered dramatic declines. Nearly 90 percent of the live corals that once dominated the reefs have been lost. Emergency action is required to change the trajectory of the health of coral reefs in Florida, and to protect the economy that depends on them. NOAA, the Coral Restoration Foundation™ and partners have developed a first-of-its-kind approach to restore corals at seven ecologically and culturally significant reef sites in the Florida Keys.
The project, Mission: Iconic Reefs, calls for restoring nearly three million square feet of the Florida Reef Tract, about the size of 52 football fields, one of the largest strategies ever proposed in the field of coral restoration. Over the next year and beyond, NOAA will support this effort and work with outside partners to secure additional public and private funds.
“NOAA is fundamentally changing its approach to coral reef restoration by proactively intervening to restore reef health and improve ecological function,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., acting NOAA administrator. “Bold and decisive action has the very real potential to save one of the largest and most economically important reef ecosystems in the world before it’s too late.”
Coral reefs are the backbone of life in the oceans. They are a critical part of the web of life on our planet; reefs have been around for more than 50 million years, yet they could all be gone by the end of this century.
The Coral Restoration Foundation™ core mission is to restore coral reefs, to educate others on the importance of our oceans, and to use science to further coral research and coral reef monitoring techniques.
They work to support the reefs’ natural recovery processes through the large-scale cultivation, outplanting, and monitoring of genetically diverse, reef-building corals. They engage and empower others in the mission to save our planet’s coral reef with dive programs, educational activities, scientific collaborations, and outreach.
The Coral Restoration Foundation™ is actively restoring coral reefs on a large scale. They grow corals in offshore Coral Tree™ Nurseries, and then outplant them out onto carefully selected sites. Since 2007, they have now returned more than 120,000 critically endangered staghorn and elkhorn corals back onto the Florida Reef Tract. Many of these corals have now grown into thriving colonies with the ability to spawn, kick-starting the reefs' natural process of recovery.
Learn more about their restoration program here.
Their approach is guided by research. They work with 415 coral genotypes across 11 species, to ensure that we are restoring the reefs' genetic diversity and resilience. They rigorously monitor our outplanted corals and use data to inform our strategic development. They work with government agencies including NOAA, universities, NGOs, and others.
They are engaging and empowering the community. Recreational Dive Programs let all ocean lovers make a difference. Presentations at their Exploration Center can be tailored for any group. Their educational materials complement the National Curriculum. Internships provide university-level students with vocational training and experience.
Savage Hart is dedicated to the protection and conservation of all wild animals and their natural environment, and now they offer Wood Stickers! We were so excited to partner with this incredible non-profit, and we hope you get a chance to check them out.
Savage Hart believes that all animals deserve a second chance to be wild and free. Many wild animals are often orphaned and/or injured as a result of human-wildlife conflict. Savage Hart, directly and indirectly, provides humane, quality care and rehabilitation to native wild animals in need. Their goal is to ease any pain and suffering and return the healthy animal to their natural environment.
They assist and educate the community and surrounding areas when they find orphaned and/or injured wild animals. Savage Hart helps transport injured, orphaned, or sick wildlife to licensed rehabilitators who release them back into their natural habitat when they are able to survive on their own. Their goal for each rescue is to educate the public about responsible stewardship for native wildlife and their habitat. Savage Hart supports wildlife rehabilitation efforts domestically in the United States and internationally.
Savage Hart supports saving wild animals around the globe. This initiative raises awareness for international wildlife rehabilitation and human-wildlife conflict solution efforts. Their support includes assisting in operations, providing specific skills and resources, and supply vital equipment and funds. This is achieved through collaborations with domestic and global organizations that focus on wildlife welfare and the people that protect them.
Jessica and Dennis Kühnel moved to the United States from the state of Bavaria in Germany. "It was like winning the lottery for us -- literally. Among thousands of applicants, in 2012 our family was chosen in the U.S. "Green Card Lottery". With only what our suitcases could hold, we moved with our two young daughters and endless possibilities to Greenville, South Carolina."
The couple explains that they cook and bake together, and they rarely miss a homemade dinner. Thus, they created Slidekickz and Counterfloat; two products that will bring a little Kühnel love into your kitchen. The products are German engineered, but American made, they offer the guarantee that their products are 100% sourced and made in the USA.
We respect one another. We care about good people, good relationships, great food and the environment.
These are quality kickz to match quality mixers, and they won't crack under pressure. Snapping effortlessly onto the feet of your KitchenAid stand mixer, they allow for you to slide your mixer into the perfect position with ease. They work on any smooth countertop, and are machined from durable 6061 aluminum.
The packaging is made out of recycled paper, scrap wood and burlap, that's it! All of the materials are recyclable and do no harm to our environment. They are incredibly proud of this creation, and it helps them and you reduce the environmental impact of this product to a bare minimum.
Move heavy, small kitchen appliances effortlessly, and, of course, in style. Simple yet elegant, Counter Float appears to be hovering over your countertop - elevating any appliance you decide to put on it. Pass on the heavy lifting and focus on what really matters: baking, cooking or brewing.
The Kühnels don't hide the fact that they use plywood: 20 ply 1" in thickness, and structurally sound. They embrace the material, and allow the angled cuts to expose the "sexy edges", and integrate three handles seamlessly. Large, strong felt pads on the bottom will let you move appliances up to 60 lbs with ease, while additional felt on the backside will protect your Counter Float when "parking" it against a wall or tiles.
They have the full start-to-finish creation process on their website!
SOULMUCH is an innovative company dedicated to upcycling unused food instead of letting it go to waste. Read below for more information on their brand and why we love getting to work with them.
"We started because we were two waitresses working in the restaurant industry frustrated seeing perfectly untouched food being thrown away each night and we wondered why no one was stopping it from happening. We realized if not us, then who. And SOULMUCH was born!" -- Founders Reyanne Mustafa and Kristian Krugman
"We are driven with the goal to leave the planet a little better than we found it. We strive to ensure that our cookies are made up of at least 50% upcycled grains gathered from our restaurant partners while sourcing the rest of our ingredients in the most environmentally friendly way."
"We truly believe in the planet over profit and will stay steadfast in our ideals to better this earth. We will continue to seek the most sustainable options for packaging, we will make it our promise to purchase from the most responsible sources, and continue to inspire our customers through best practices."
Laura LoDico
All information and pictures gathered from Soul Much and Soul Much on Instagram
Plastic Oceans International is an awesome non-profit organization dedicated to helping the world rethink plastic, and eliminate plastic pollution for good.
Plastic Oceans International is a nonprofit organization raising awareness about plastic pollution to inspire behavioral change. Our origins date back several years, as part of the team that helped distribute the award-winning film A Plastic Ocean, but our current status has been as a fully independent nonprofit organization since 2016. More than 300 million tons of plastic are produced annually, yet more than 90% of all plastic is not recycled. At least eight million tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean each year—equal to a garbage truck per minute. Studies find plastic pollutes the air, water and entire food chain, threatening human health, wildlife and the planet. Through solutions-focused films and digital content, Plastic Oceans promotes a global movement to rethink plastic."
"Rethink.Refill. is an education program that empowers youth, prevents plastic pollution and delivers clean drinking water to underserved schools worldwide.
The program provides water refilling stations and reusable bottles to teach students about plastic waste. They participate in a solution that eliminates single-use plastic bottles from the waste stream.
Rethink.Refill. offers a quantifiable way to track the amount of plastic pollution they prevent from entering the environment. They can track their school’s success and use it as a tool to encourage other members of their community to join in plastic pollution prevention.
Schools can purchase additional reusable bottles for students and faculty at the program wholesale cost to enhance plastic pollution prevention. This is where Rethink.Refill. offers a social entrepreneurship component. Reusable bottles can be sold as a school fundraising tool. Profits can support the school, be donated to Rethink.Refill. or benefit another cause."
Laura LoDico
All pictures and information gathered from Plastic Oceans
1. Who’s your favorite marvel character?
Deadpool
2. If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would you meet and why?
Shia Labeouf because he seems very intriguing to me
3. What are you passionate about?
Being a mom of 5 is my greatest passion
4. What’s your favorite type of music?
Spanish Rock
5. Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
6. What’s your spirit animal?
Butterfly
7. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Off the Grid
8. What is your biggest fear?
Falling and Failing
Untamed Supply, based in Kansas City, is a unique, Womxn owned company looking to make the world a better place, one candle at a time. They "have a knack for capturing nature’s pheromones.” CEO and Founder E.J. Wood writes,
If you want to learn more about E.J.'s candles, or buy some for yourself, click the link below! Psst: 3% of all proceeds are donated to the National Parks as well!
Meet Amy, our Head Print Technician, who recently joined the Dust City team!
1. If you could be a piece of food what would you be and why?
Piece of food? Sushi... it’s sexy lol
2. What’s your favorite way to pass time?
My favorite way to pass time is reading or I do a lot of adult coloring. Keeps me “zen”
3. If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would you meet and why?
If I could meet anyone?? DOLLY PARTON she is an American treasure that’s why
4. What's your spirit animal?
My spirit animal is... a SLOTH!!
5. What’s your favorite type of music?
I love jam bands and rock n' roll
6. Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird for sure these days
7. What are you passionate about?
My ultimate goal and dream in life is to operate a senior dog sanctuary
The story of Wings Airways brings to life the romance and traditions of Alaska’s rich aviation history on the same waterfront that began Juneau’s floatplane businesses in the 1920’s.
Experience, enthusiasm, pride, and drive are the essentials for Alaska bush pilots, and are the driving force behind the entire Wings Airways organization. They now have one more element to their organization, wood stickers! Take home a memento of your floatplane flightseeing trip with a wood sticker featuring the planes in a variety of colors.
To the owners and employees of Wings Airways & Taku Lodge, Juneau is their home. In fact, Juneau, the Taku River region, the Tongass National Forest and the Juneau Icefield are so much more than destinations they operate- its where they have raised generations, where they recreate, and the special place they choose to share with visitors from around the world via floatplane. Juneau is their home and their future. Because of this, they are determined to keep it pristine and sustainable.
They understand that their industry has impacts. Their commitment is to do everything in our power to minimize any negative impacts on the local environment and the community. Ensuring every employee feels a part of their sustainability mission allows them to share in the responsibility and as an entire organization. They are constantly learning and commit themselves to growing their sustainability practices.
Wings Airways' priorities:
In April of 2019, they applied to become a member of Adventure Green Alaska (AGA).
The story of Wings Airways brings to life the romance and traditions of Alaska’s rich aviation history on the same waterfront that began Juneau’s floatplane businesses in the 1920’s. Experience, enthusiasm, pride, and drive are the essentials for Alaska bush pilots, and are the driving force behind the entire Wings Airways organization.
In 2002 an exciting prospect emerged for an exclusive group of employees of a locally owned Juneau airline. This group of dedicated professionals who had built and nurtured one airline used their extensive expertise to create another. With the purchase of the floatplane flightseeing portion of a commuter air service, Wings Airways Inc. took off. Wings Airways carries on the long tradition of locally owned and operated flights off the downtown harbor. Owners include Don Bach, Al & Jeffra Clough, Dan Corson, Michelle Donohue, Robert Jacobsen, Holly Johnson, Wayne Love, John Lucas, Erica Sjoroos, Mike Stedman, Rusty Shaub, Bruce Tice, Mike Thomas, Sam Wright & Nick Yurko.
This committed team has modernized the classic fleet by converting five DeHavilland Otter aircraft from piston engines to modern, quiet, reliable turbine power plants. These conversions added versatility and a very high degree of safety to the overall operation. They also provided the community of Juneau with a decrease in floatplane noise. Wings Airways has modified its DeHavilland Otter floatplanes to make them better suited for flightseeing as well as added a brand new dock to the downtown Juneau seadrome. This level of investment shows a strong commitment to continuing the tradition of comfortable, safe, and reliable services to our guests and community.
The combination of great passion and love for what they do will persist in driving this team as they continue to provide travelers from around the world the opportunity to board the classic DeHavilland floatplanes and discover firsthand the magnificence of Alaska’s vast wilderness and breathtaking glaciers.
We are beyond excited to announce our newest partner, Special Olympics of Pennsylvania! For their 50th anniversary Special Olympics Fall Fest, we donated stickers for their hard working athletes to take home after the games! #inclusionrevolution
All information/media courtesy of Special Olympics Pennsylvania Facebook
Kristin Craven, the Special Events and Marketing Manager of the Pennsylvania Special Olympics, had reached out in regards to a unique addition she could add to the Athletes Store for the SOPA. Being that it is the 50th anniversary, they were looking to incorporate their logo highlighting the anniversary. We spoke multiple times and decided it was a compelling idea, and decided to move forward with the Wood Stickers.
The Special Olympics is an incredible foundation that focuses on worldwide inclusion, making sure no child is left behind. When Kristin reached out to us, we had no choice but to say yes! We wanted to make sure these awesome athletes had the best weekend possible, any way we could.
We hope SOPA had an incredible weekend of games and that all of the athletes and their families made memories they will never forget. We look forward to future opportunities with Special Olympics Pennsylvania as well!
To the left is a picture of our team that worked on the order, along with one of the awesome sticker designs SOPA provided!
Here's a photo recap of this weekend's 50th Anniversary Fall Fest highlights!
All information gathered by MSNBC and National Geographic
Written by Drew MacQueen
In MSNBC’s interview series, Fall Back, Ari Melber discusses the environment and the damaging effect that micro plastics have on our waterways and environment with Adam Lambert.
“It is fall back friday, what needs to fall back?”
“I think people polluting the ocean with plastic. It's a serious issue. Fish and wildlife in the ocean are literally gagging on pieces of small plastic, and It’s killing them.”
“Things as simple right now, as the fact that they're taking plastic straws away and we’re trying to replace them with paper straws.Thats a great first step. It’s good to see that something is happening.
Some 18 billion pounds of plastic waste flows into the oceans every year from coastal regions.
Less than a fifth of all plastic is recycled globally.
About 8 percent of the world’s oil production is used to make plastic and power the manufacturing of it. That figure is projected to rise to 20 percent by 2050.
40 percent of plastic produced is packaging, used just once and then discarded.
The vinyl sticker industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that is a massive contributor to the micro plastic tragedy that is plaguing our waterways and environment. At Dust City Designs, we always strive to be as eco-friendly as possible with our products. From our Wood Stickers, all the way to the shipping box, we try to make our impact as little as possible. With our Wood Stickers, we wanted all aspects to be as environmentally friendly as possible. All of our hang tags are printed on recycled content paper, from a local print shop. This means cutting down on carbon emissions made from long transportation times. Additionally, all of our stickers come packaged in a cellophane sleeve. Cellophane is a great alternative to plastic as it offers many of the beneficial qualities of plastic, without the harmful environmental effects. Our cellophane sleeves will fully biodegrade when left to the elements, leaving no trace. So join the movement to "Keep Vinyl Stickers out of our Waterways"
All information gathered from Tewell Warren
Tewell Warren was founded in 1962 as the region's premier printing agency, and has been exceeding expectations ever since. We at Dust City Designs have been using Tewell Warren for many years to print one of the most important parts of our stickers: the hangtags! From our standard wholesale "Wood Sticker" tags, to a number of distributor and custom tags, we trust Tewell Warren with any printing needs we could ask for!
Tewell Warren provides a variety of different services including but not limited to digital offset printing, variable data printing, die cutting, embossing, fulfillment and mailing, metal fx and more! Their extensive print knowledge and capabilities allow them to print everything from a short digital run to an elaborate, full-color, hand-assembled brochure or advertising collateral system.Tewell Warren takes pride in customer service and their dedication to delivering high-quality printing at an affordable price.
Check out Tewell Warren's website below!
Director of Sales and Marketing
Outside of my family; music, MMA and the outdoors
Beastie Boys, Red Rocks Amphitheatre 2007
Casting vacant ant hills with aluminum
Kurt Cobain. I think he would have some interesting stories to tell, and he also revolutionized music.
Depends on the night before...
All information was gathered from Weekend by TRYL's Facebook and webpage.
We are SO excited to announce that we've officially expanded to Japan! Weekend by TRYL is now selling our stickers all over Japan. We hope this is one of many expansion opportunities the future has to hold. Yesterday, our stickers went live overseas, making their debut at the Tokyo International Gift Show, the largest gift and souvenir show in all of Japan. Check out some pictures of the booth below!
Weekend by TRYL is a wholesaler with a number of stores around Japan. They sell top brands such as Hydroflask, Black Eye, Cottybag, and now Wood Stickers! We are beyond excited to partner with them. You can check out their other products here!
After graduating University of Colorado Boulder this past May, I joined the team as the Sales & Marketing Associate.
Music and concerts are definitely my biggest passion. I love the sense of community that comes with a concert atmosphere. I love going and connecting with new people! Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater is like my second home!
Seeing Griz perform a chasing the golden hour set on Holy Ship this year! I couldn't ask for anything better than watching the sunset behind Griz on a cruise ship.
It's a toss up between mashed potatoes and anything my grandma cooks. She makes the BEST food!
A dolphin, we're both very loud and high energy.
I am definitely am more of a night owl! Mornings and I are not friends.
The Garden of the Gods is another one of Colorado's natural beauties. Located in Colorado Springs, the park sees thousand of visitors daily, and each one is taken aback by the stunning views. Before the park received its permanent name, European explorers deemed it "Red Rock Corral." The name "Garden of the Gods" was coined by a group of surveyors in 1859, who claimed that a place of such beauty was fit for nothing less than gods themselves to assemble.
While Garden of the Gods was not officially deemed a public park until 1909, even though it had been open to the public years before that. In fact, the story starts a little bit earlier...
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. "
--Edward Abbey
Roughly 250 million years ago, Garden of the Gods was nothing more than sand and sea. The mountains seen today were vast sand dunes. 155 million years ago, dinosaurs ruled over the garden, forever leaving their mark with fossils. 65 million years ago, mountains began to form due to the old Pacific plate smashing into the North American plate. Eventually, erosion began to occur on the softer rocks, creating the incredible ridges and valleys that stand today.
Colorado Springs was founded by General George Palmer in 1871, after he fell in love at first sight on a visit two years prior. He believed it would be the perfect spot to expand his Denver to Rio Grande Railroad. A few years later, he urged close friend Charles Elliott Perkins to purchase 240 acres of land known as Garden of the Gods. In 1879, he made his first purchase. 20 years later, Perkins doubled the land, purchasing another 240 acres, and donated the entire lot to the City of Colorado Springs. In 1907, Perkins passed away before he could finalize his plans to officially deem it a public park. Honoring their father's wishes, his children finished the deed, conveying the park to the city in his name.
All information provided by Garden of the Gods History, Visit Colorado Springs, and Friends of Garden of the Gods Geology
All pictures provided by Garden of the Gods Gallery and Friends of Garden of the Gods Gallery, specifically Larry Marr
Pictures and information provided by Red Rocks Online and The Denver Post
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, located in Morrison, Colorado, is easily one of the most beautiful and well known phenomenons on earth. This Saturday marks the park's 78th anniversary, opening on June 15, 1941. To celebrate, we've released a line of Red Rocks stickers you can find at their Trading Post!
While it opened in 1941, John Brisben Walker had been holding events and concerts there as early as 1906, when it was named the Garden of Angels. The first official Red Rocks event didn't actually happen until 1947 however, the very first Easter Sunday service. Standing at 6,450 ft., Red Rocks is taller than the Niagara Falls, and was once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Roughly 10,000 people have perfect view of the stage, which sits 100 ft. in elevation lower than the top row; very smart planning on Denver architect Burnham Hoyt's part, the change in elevation gives every audience member a perfect view of the stage no matter where you stand. What goes better with a perfect view? Perfect sound. The amphitheater is the only naturally occurring amphitheater that is acoustically perfect.
The geology
Starting as an ocean floor, Red Rocks took over 200 million years to form naturally (and it was worth every second). Dinosaur tracks once covered the grounds, and the remains of Plesiosaur, a 40-foot long sea serpent have even been found inside the park. Gradual movement of the earth very slowly formed two monoliths that now make the "walls" of the amphitheater. The southern monolith is named "Ship Rock," due to its ship-like resemblance. The northern monolith is named "Creation Rock."
Red Rocks is an absolute must-see for Colorado natives and visitors alike. If concerts aren't your thing, the park host a variety of events such as Yoga on the Rocks, Film on the Rocks, and Snow Shape on the Rocks, as well being open for hiking and photo adventures for all. For more information about the park, it's history or upcoming events, click the link below.
Information provided by Thirsty Fest Denver, Water for People, and Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association
Thirsty Fest is an annual beer festival that defines partying with a purpose. With all proceeds benefitting Water for People, Thirsty Fest is entirely volunteer-led and run helping provide the world with safe, accessible water. The Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association is another partner dedicated to helping provide clean water. Since the fest's inception last year, they have raised over $16,000 to not only provide drinking water, but to ensure it's clean, high-quality and obtainable to everyone.
Water for People is an organization established in 1991 that exists solely to provide water to the world, a basic necessity that should be available to everyone, but isn't. Working in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Bolivia, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi and India, Water for People spans across 32 districts and have reached over 3 million people.
Thirsty Fest is a proud partner of this incredible organization. Their motto 'everyone forever' shows that Water for People is doing their part to truly change the world and won't stop until everyone in every corner has been helped.
While providing the world with water is important work, educating the people on what the problem truly is is just as important. That's where the RMWEA comes into play. Founded in 1936, the RMWEA strives to foster an environment of learning, networking, and enjoyment surrounding water treatment and purification.
They strive to 'elevate water professionals' making them an ideal partner for Water for People and Thirsty Fest. So make sure you stop by, you can help bring water to the people while having a couple beers and loads of fun in the process!
Earth Day represents a vision for change, and endorses the world’s largest environmental movement. On this Earth Day, and the many more to come, we want to bring light to a multi-billion dollar industry that is a massive contributor to the micro plastic tragedy that is plaguing our waterways and environment; The Vinyl Sticker.
Vinyl is a plastic substance the earth cannot digest, and it’s an issue that no one has really talked about and no one is currently willing to address, until now. It wasn’t until Josh Glisan, Dust City Designs Founder & CEO, had actually been making Wood Stickers for a couple of years before he started digging deeper into the environmental impacts of vinyl stickers.
It actually took me a bit to make the connection of Wood Stickers being a sustainable alternative to vinyl stickers. It wasn't until I really started researching how vinyl stickers were made and how truly toxic they are that we decided to move ahead with a movement to keep vinyl stickers out of our waterways. I had actually been making Wood Stickers for a couple of years before I started really looking into what it takes to make a vinyl sticker. As I started digging deeper into the environmental impacts that vinyl stickers have I was absolutely appalled at how something so toxic and detrimental to the environment could be used on a daily basis with no regards for its environmental impacts.
When I started to produce Wood Stickers I made every attempt to make their environmental impact as little as possible. It was my goal from the beginning. It wasn’t until I started researching how vinyl stickers were made that I really began to understand the massive environmental impact that vinyl has on our ecosystem. Vinyl stickers are a massive contributor to the micro plastic tragedy that is plaguing our waterways. As a vinyl sticker starts to break down it creates these tiny plastic flakes that end up in every marine ecosystem. It’s an issue that no one has talked about and no one is currently willing to address, up until now. We’re here to create a sticker that is eco friendly in both it’s creation and its disposal. The vinyl sticker industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Billions of vinyl stickers are bought, sold, and given away every year. No one has ever stopped to think about the life cycle of all that vinyl. Vinyl is not only toxic to produce but it also releases toxins as it begins to break down. We wanted to create a safe and environmentally conscious alternative to potentially one of the largest plastic polluters in the world.
- Josh Glisan, CEO & Founder
Unlike traditional stickers, our Wood Stickers will fully biodegrade! Vinyl stickers are extremely toxic to produce and even more toxic to consume. When a vinyl sticker breaks down, it leaves behind tiny pieces of micro-plastic that ultimately pollute our land and waterways. When our Wood Stickers break down, they leave behind only wood that can fully biodegrade. But what about my sticker breaking down while in use?! No need to worry, our Wood Stickers will last just as long as a traditional sticker. They can last indefinitely with indoor use and can last up to two years when exposed to the elements of the outdoors or dish washing.
Many people's first concern about wood stickers is, "What about all that wood?!" Fret not friend, all of our wood stickers are sustainably and ethically sourced. We worked directly with an FSC certified wood supplier to be sure that all of our wood products are up to our tough standards. A close chain of communication between us an our supplier allows us to be sure that every wood sticker we produce is not having a harmful effect on our environment. Our goal is not only to create a healthy earth for today, but also for generations to come!
With our Wood Stickers, we wanted all aspects to be as environmentally friendly as possible. All of our hang tags are printed on a recycled content paper, from a local print shop. This means cutting down on carbon emissions made from long transportation times. Additionally, all of our stickers came packaged in a cellophane sleeve. Cellophane is a great alternative to plastic as it offers many of the beneficial qualities of plastic, with out the harmful environmental effects. Our cellophane sleeves will fully biodegrade when left to the elements, leaving no trace.
Building the world’s largest environmental movement
On April 22, 1970, millions of people took to the streets to protest the negative impacts of 150 years of industrial development.
In the U.S. and around the world, smog was becoming deadly and evidence was growing that pollution led to developmental delays in children. Biodiversity was in decline as a result of the heavy use of pesticides and other pollutants.
The global ecological awareness was growing, and the US Congress and President Nixon responded quickly. In July of the same year, they created the Environmental Protection Agency, and robust environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, among many.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to steaming fumaroles, meadows freckled with wildflowers, clear mountain lakes, and numerous volcanoes. Wood Stickers featuring these main characteristics of the park are now available!
All information in this article is provided by Lassen Volcanic National Park California via the National Park Service
The greater Lassen area has been volcanically active for about three millions years. While the area sleeps now, steam vents, boiling springs, and bubbling mudpots remain active--direct evidence that the volcanic center still smolders. No one can say when or where the next eruption will occur. We can only say that it will.
In August 2016, Lassen Volcanic National Park will celebrate its 100-year anniversary. The fifteenth national park established by Congress, Lassen is one of the oldest national parks in the United States. Two pioneer trails, developed by William Nobles and Peter Lassen, are associated with the park. In 1851, Nobles discovered an alternate route to California, passing through Lassen. Sections of the Lassen and Nobles Emigrant Trail are still visible. Lassen, for whom the park is named, guided settlers near here and tried to establish a city.
The greater Lassen area has been volcanically active for about three millions years. Recently the region has seen eruptions from Cinder Cone (~350 years ago) and Lassen Peak (~100 years ago). While the area sleeps now, steam vents, boiling springs, and bubbling mudpots remain active--direct evidence that the volcanic center still smolders. No one can say when or where the next eruption will occur. We can only say that it will.
Every rock at Lassen originates from volcanoes. Lassen's volcanic domes are part of the most recently active Lassen Volcanic Center, which began to erupt about 825,000 years ago. Represented in the park are all four types of volcanoes found in the world--shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome. Unlike other Cascade volcanoes, Lassen's large plug dome and composite volcanoes are in close proximity to the smaller cinder cone volcanoes that surround the volcanic center.
Although Lassen is primarily known for its volcanic geology, the park boasts a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Over 700 flowering plant species grace the park, providing shelter and food for 250 vertebrates as well as a host of invertebrates including insects. This great diversity of life forms is due to two factors: the geographic location of the park and the abundance of habitats that occur there. Situated at the southern end of the Cascade Range geologic province, Lassen Volcanic National Park lies at the crossroads of three great biological provinces: the Cascades range to the north, the Sierra Nevada mountains to the south and the Great Basin desert to the east. The myriad habitats of Lassen Volcanic National Park are produced by variations in environmental conditions such as elevation (5,000 to 10,457 feet), moisture (precipitation is greater on the western than the eastern side of the park), substrate (rock type and soil depth), temperature, insolation (amount of sun) and prior disturbance (both natural and human-caused).
In past years, over 800 attendees, hailing from a wide range of industries, ethnicities, and disciplines have attended Denver’s one-and-only, annual fundraiser, The Paper Fashion Show. Locally, in Denver, The Paper Fashion Show™ has been featured in numerous publications including 303 Magazine, 9News, Westword, Amex Essentials (American Express’ online magazine), and GDUSA, as well as on TV, with Denver Channel 7 News, Denver Open Media, and KDVR Fox 31.
Thanks to the global non profit, The One Club for Creativity, in New York—The Paper Fashion Show™ will reach some of the world’s top creative minds, with over 4,000 members in 31 countries, plus an additional 250,000 followers across social media channels. The 2019 show promises to be our biggest, most visible event in club history, attracting nationwide arts and media attention.
Thanks to the global non profit, The One Club for Creativity, in New York—The Paper Fashion Show™ will reach some of the world’s top creative minds, with over 4,000 members in 31 countries, plus an additional 250,000 followers across social media channels. The 2019 show promises to be our biggest, most visible event in club history, attracting nationwide arts and media attention.
The One Club For Creativity Denver’s Paper Fashion Show™ is the largest paper fashion show in the nation. Many publications have featured the show throughout the years which continues to be an unforgettable evening of wearable art in motion.
Paper Fashion Show™ is an all-volunteer organized and run event, supporting 501c3 non profit, The One Club For Creativity and Denver and Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA), a non-profit organization providing free after-school arts programs for urban youth, ages 3 to 17. Combining art and technology, DAVA programs emphasize innovation, problem-solving, and connection to community. While arts education can connect to careers in the arts, at DAVA they do much more. Their unique approach results in students not only gaining skills in art, but also valuable education, job, and social skills in preparation for a wide range of life aspirations.
Since its inception, the Paper Fashion Show™ has raised over $58,000 for DAVA.
The Zion National Park Forever Project engages in collaborative efforts with federal agencies, gateway communities, and guests to create connections to the Greater Zion Landscape that will lead to lifelong stewardship. We were so excited to work with this non-profit organization to create custom wood stickers featuring some of the main geological characteristics of the park!
Protecting forever
There are some experiences in nature that are infinitely important, easy to lose and impossible to replace. The Zion National Park Forever Project is vigilant in the long-term preservation of these resources. In protecting the park, this organization has funded hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of projects. Some include: conserving the greater Zion landscape, piloting sky-high image captures, discovering new species, sharing the wisdom of the Kaibab Paiute Dark-Sky Nation, and many more enriching programs. There are many more crucial opportunities that still need funding, if you're interested in donating to protecting Zion forever, visit their website.
Improving today
Another mission of this non-profit is to take current conditions of the park and enrich them to their fullest potential. Some funded projects include:
Planning recreational facilities in the adjacent landscape
Maintaining the integrity of Scout Lookout
Stargazing at Cedar Breaks
Establishing a visitor contact station for Zion's east entrance
Connecting cyclists to Zion Canyon
Establishing a visitor information and education facility
Reopening Middle Emerald Pools Trail
Informing tomorrow
The final pillar of the Zion National Park Forever Project is educating and cultivating learning environments for audiences of all ages.
Some funded projects include: Learning from the elders at Paiute Tribal youth camp, safeguarding the junior ranger program, starting education at home, and bringing the parks to local elementary schools.
The dramatic landscape of Zion is impressive to all, and the Zion National Park Forever Project is inspired to keep it this way. Take home some of the awesomeness of the park on a Dust City real wood sticker from the Forever Store!
Located in the Columbia River Gorge, the waterfall spans two tiers on basalt cliffs, and is the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon. Dust City was thrilled to be able to create custom wood stickers displaying this landmark's true beauty.
Information provided by U.S. Forest Service
According to the Native American Multnomah tribe, Multnomah Falls was created to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe. Now, Multnomah Falls is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest with more than 2 million stopping by each year to take in the views.
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area encompasses 292,500 acres, running from the mouth of the Sandy River to the mouth of the Deschutes and spanning southern Washington and northern Oregon. The Gorge is unique in its natural and cultural history, as well as its designation as a National Scenic Area.
Benson Bridge and Multnomah Falls Lodge, are features that help make this waterfall special. In 1914, Simon Benson, a prominent businessman and owner of the falls at that time, erected the bridge which was crafted by Italian stone masons. Benson gave the 300 acre site to the City of Portland. In 1943, final ownership of the site and lodge was transferred to the Forest Service.
The Multnomah Falls Lodge was built in 1925 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Every type of rock found in the Columbia River Gorge is represented in the lodge structure.
Offers upscale, Northwest-style cuisine with an emphasis on fresh and local ingredients. Their Great Room features a romantic fireplace and the atrium-style Falls Room boasts a fantastic view of the famed Multnomah Falls. Or, during the summer months, you can dine on their patio and experience the sights and sounds of the Falls! Don't forget to stop by the gift shop on your way out and get mementos or wood stickers to remember your trip!
Visit the Multnomah Falls Lodge website for more information and their online gift shop!
I actually just celebrated my 4 year anniversary with Dust City Designs last week! I am the Chief Laser Operator, meaning I am in charge of making sure the lasers are on at all times. I am also in charge of everything shipping related and make sure quality is on point for every order that goes out our door.
Termites and grasshoppers.
I own the worlds largest bouncy ball collection. You can follow me at @super_ball_collection
Japan!
Fried clam strips & fresh salad.
Dust City has partnered with Realtree to bring outdoor enthusiasts wood stickers! Realtree has become known as one of the largest, most respected names in the outdoor industry, and now they offer wood stickers. Being the world's leading camouflage, Realtree is licensed by over 1,500 manufacturers of thousands of outdoor and lifestyle products. In addition, they are committed to supporting individuals and groups that work to ensure our outdoor heritage, the conservation of natural places, and the wildlife that resides there.
In 1986, very early in the camouflage revolution, Bill Jordan decided to try his hand at designing a camo pattern. Bill had entered the hunting industry in 1983, when he started Spartan Archery Products in a back room of his father's boat dealership in Columbus, Georgia. Spartan manufactured t-shirts at a local mill, which were sold to a variety of large retail customers across the country.
Bill believed that by layering the images of twigs and leaves over a vertical bark background, he could create a three-dimensional appearance that would match a variety of terrain—and make his pattern distinct. Using local mills, Bill navigated the printing process until he finally had a set of camouflage clothing to photograph.
Always the promoter, Bill began to photograph the garments on bowhunters in tree stands. Every month for about eight months, he sent the images to hunting clothing buyers across the nation. But Bill couldn't send sample garments, because the camo was doing too good a job disappearing. "We couldn't get the pattern to stay on the pants," he remembers. "It rubbed off. I had only one suit and no additional fabric, so I kept sending photos." When December rolled around, the buyers were clamoring for garments. "I didn't have any garments," Bill recalls. "But I couldn’t tell them that, so I just sent them some more photos."
Bill had begun working with Eastbank Textiles, and they met the printing challenge just one week before the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show. "There we were, dressing mannequins at midnight, the night before the show started," Bill recalls. "The anxiety at that point was unbelievable. I had no credibility in this business, and there I was—after teasing all these buyers—dressing my mannequins with the only garments I had in the whole world, just hours before the show started. I had no manufacturer making this clothing—just Spartan, and Spartan had no money. I couldn't even have sold to the first retailer if I had wanted to. I had no licensing agreements to work with and no real idea what I was going to do next. I only knew I had a few pieces of clothing, a twenty-by-twenty-foot booth, and hopefully some very influential people stopping by to see me."
There are dozens of stories like this, because much of Realtree's early growth was financed on a shoestring budget. In fact, the company's first facility was a rented empty church. Bill and two or three employees worked in the upstairs office, they stored boxes in the baptismal room, and the sanctuary was the company's first warehouse. But those were exciting times, and each small success was celebrated by the entire staff.
Bill Jordan has never stopped innovating. Today's camo designs are created using sophisticated computers, digital cameras, and photo-realistic printing. Realtree stays at the forefront of the latest developments in fabric design and printing in order to advise customers (licensees who pay a royalty fee to use the camo patterns) about the best ways to maintain quality and performance.
Realtree camouflage patterns are used for every type of hunting. Deer Hunting, Turkey Hunting, (Waterfowl Hunting) Duck Hunting, Goose Hunting, Predator Hunting, Big Game Hunting, Bear Hunting, Hog Hunting, Rabbit Hunting, Squirrel Hunting, Upland Hunting, Quail Hunting, Pheasant Hunting, Dove Hunting and more. But Realtree has become so much more than just effective camouflage. As a media company, our television shows, DVD titles, and web properties can be found in households nationwide. As a marketing company, the support we put behind our patterns and brands is unrivaled.
The Sea Lion Caves is America's largest sea cave as identified by the Guiness Book of World Records. It is the year round home of the Steller Sea Lion. The Stellar sea lion, also known as the northern sea lion, is the largest member of the sea lion family. You can see these majestic beauties in their natural habitat dwelling in the formation of the cavern that began about 25 million years ago. Am It now soars to the height of a 12- story building and stretched the length of a football field. Sea lions aren't the only wild animal you will see there, the natural amphitheater is also the home to other marine life and shore creatures!
The cavern walls are painted with natural mineral stains like Lichens, and algae that create colorful greens, pinks, purples, tans, and reds that form on the rough surfaces. the sea level portion of this cave and sea cliff rocks just outside the cave have become, over the centuries, the only known mainland rookery or "breeding area" of the Steller Sea Lion, and to lesser extent, the California sea lion. The Cave vicinity is home to several other animals including bats, pigeon guillemots, cormorants, gulls, orcas, gray whales, humpback whales, harbor seals, California sea lions, bald eagles, mountain lions, black bear, elk, deer, chipmunks, gray squirrels, owls, common murre, tufted puffin, marbled murrelet, black oystercatcher, anklets, sandpiper, dunlin, whimbrel, snowy plover, osprey, killdeer, and numerous ducks and geese. Many seabird species are endemic and found nowhere else, except along the Oregon Coast.
A life-size sculpture by Ken Scott was built and commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sea Lion Caves. Sea Lion Family was publicly dedicated in 1982 and has an adult bull male, an adult female, and a young pup sea lion, sunning themselves on the rocks. Coming in at 1,500 pounds, the sculpture was likely the largest cast bronze sculpture in Oregon at the time.
Sea lions, seals and walruses are marine mammals belonging to an order, or group, called pinnipeds, which means fin-footed or wing-footed. At the Sea Lion Caves you can find the encased specimen pictured on the right on display at Sea Lion Caves was prepared and is on permanent loan from Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon. The animal was a 3 year old female Steller Sea Lion, found with a fatal gun shot wound near Newport, Oregon. She was over 7 feet long and weighed 327 pounds.