Text: Shota Igarashi

At the end of last year, RIV celebrated its first anniversary since launching the brand.

Additionally, coinciding with the brand launch, we joined “1% for the Planet,” a global network founded by Patagonia's founders that donates to nature conservation. That membership also marks its first year.

For us, a young startup facing uncertain business prospects, committing to donate 1% of all sales as a full member was honestly daunting. Donating 1% from total sales, not just profits, is inherently scary for any business.

Nevertheless, we decided to join at the very start, reasoning that “as long as RIV does business on this planet, this is like an Earth tax.”

*Full Member: A membership where 1% of all sales revenue is donated, not just a portion of product sales

In spring and autumn, we spent several days conducting forest restoration work on Teuri Island and planted seedlings in other areas as well. However, planting seedlings itself is not the goal; it is an activity to nurture forests rich in nature. We hope to continue monitoring them going forward.

And since we love fly fishing, we also spent plenty of time enjoying the rivers.

 Rivers always teach us many things, offering moments to ponder all manner of subjects. The pure beauty of fresh green leaves, the innocent movements of aquatic insects, the confident footprints of a large bear.

Ultimately, our ideal is for RIV's growth as a company to lead to expanded nature conservation.We're just beginning this challenging journey, but we hope to take small steps and gradually walk further.This greeting is quite late, but we look forward to your continued support of RIV this year.