Steve Hinchliffe's mission in life and in business is well illustrated by a quote from Helen Keller, featured on the homepage of his Bennington, VT business, Nature's Closet: "I am only one person, and just because I cannot do everything, does not mean I will refuse to do that which I can."
Whether Steve is focused on raising the image of his community as a great outdoor destination, running a successful business, enjoying a wilderness adventure, or working to protect wild places in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest, Steve gives it all that he can.
Steve opened Nature's Closet in 2003, and has worked to position the company as the outdoor resource for southwest Vermont, providing exceptional quality sportswear, as well as information to help people find outdoor adventure in the region. Nature's Closet is all about quality with a conscience, as reflected in their organic cotton and recycled fibers clothing, a store built with many sustainable, reclaimed materials, and in their commitment to preserving southern Vermont's natural resources.
"A big part of my business plan was to give back," says Steve. "It was obvious to me when I got involved in the outdoor retail business more than 15 years ago, that that had to be a part of it."
From the beginning, Steve envisioned Nature's Closet as a way to connect with the community. "We wanted to find local people who supported something, and collaborate with them." Steve views the nearby Green Mountain National Forest, and its wonderful wild areas like Glastenbury Mountain, as a natural gem, and a huge resource for the area. So when a Sierra Club leader dropped by Nature's Closet to ask if he would support wilderness protection for these special areas, Steve was enthusiastic. "Of course I supported it," he said.
Steve dedicated part of his store and a large window display to information about wilderness in the Green Mountain National Forest. Steve has also welcomed conservation groups to the store to give presentations on protecting wild places in the forest. In 2004, Steve lent his name to a high profile public service announcement with the theme of "Another Vermonter for Wilderness," to demonstrate the broad support for wilderness in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest.
The Green Mountain National Forest is a place of wildness and tranquility, where one can hike a part of the historic Appalachian Trail, cool off in a clear mountain stream, and discover a connection to the natural world. As the U.S. Forest Service revises its 15-year management plan for the forest, important decisions about the future of the forest will be made, including what areas the agency will recommend for wilderness protection. Thus, it's more important than ever that people like Steve work to educate the public and the business community about the impact of this plan, and let them know how they can make a difference.
Steve Hinchliffe has advocated for strong wilderness protections in the forest plan not only as a legacy for future generations, but also because it's good for business. "We won't have that resource if we don't take care of that resource," he says. Steve works on wilderness because he cares about his community and wants to see it capitalize more on the natural resources around it. "The potential in Bennington is tremendous; it's an outdoor Mecca. Bennington has never been marketed as a great outdoor destination, but it's all here -- there's great potential."
"It's great that Steve is being recognized for all of his work," says Nicole Underwood, a fellow Vermont wilderness volunteer. "One of the things that I think is especially awesome about him is not only how hard he works to get the entire community involved in wilderness appreciation, but his devotion to Bennington's youth. He is always working to get them involved in the wilderness that is right in their back yards, and Steve and his store are always very supportive of other community programs that promote environmental stewardship." She adds, "He is an amazingly nice person, and I love shopping at his store!"
Not everyone in Bennington has come out in support of more wilderness in the Green Mountain National Forest, and that's unfortunate, says Steve. "We encourage people to take a different position and then have a dialogue. We try and be very open." Despite the challenges, Steve remains committed "to educate and work with anyone interested in working with us."
After more than 15 years in the outdoor retail business and a life filled with exploring the outdoors, Steve speaks with great conviction about the importance of conserving wild landscapes. "Without fighting for wilderness, it will disappear or gets polluted. We carry products that get you into the outdoors -- into nature. So, we need to protect that resource of wild places. If every business did that, the world would be a much better place."
We salute Steve Hinchliffe and the staff at Nature's Closet for helping to build a community of support for wilderness protection for Glastenbury Mountain and other treasured wild areas in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest.
