Giving Back - HIGHLANDER Sustainability

Why sustainability matters to us?

HIGHLANDER happens out there - in real nature, not filtered, not staged. The same mountains, rivers, and trails we explore are the reason people sign up in the first place.

These landscapes aren’t just our backdrop - they’re the whole point.

We believe every step out there comes with responsibility. We don’t just move through nature - we build our entire experience around it. And if we want those places to stay wild, beautiful, and accessible, we all need to show up the right way.

Sustainability for us isn’t a side initiative. It’s part of how we design events, how we show up on the trail, and how our community connects with nature before, during, and after the hike.

Because the goal isn’t just to finish the journey.

It’s to make sure it’s just as epic for everyone coming after us.😀

How we practice sustainability?

education is part of the experience - before, during, and throughout the year we share simple, practical ways our community can show up in nature responsibly
collecting trash is built into the journey - we actively clean the trails we hike, making sure every location is left better than we found it
no single-use plastic water - we encourage refill systems and smarter hydration solutions instead of one-time use bottles
food is organized in bulk - reducing packaging, minimizing waste, and still making sure everyone is properly fueled for the adventure
working with local partners and suppliers whenever possible to reduce impact and support the communities we pass through
always improving - every event is a chance to do things better, reduce impact further, and raise the standard for what responsible outdoor events look like

HIGHLANDER ZERO WASTE events

For the third year in a row, our team is taking on this challenge with one clear goal - reducing waste at our events to an absolute minimum.

This initiative is designed to test how the ZERO WASTE concept can be applied to full-scale HIGHLANDER events.

This year, our Croatian team of 20 HIGHLANDER organizers, ambassadors, long-distance hikers, and eco-activists are stepping into the HIGHLANDER 5DAY format across Istria’s 100 km trail, using it to test the concept in real conditions. This is a closed event, taking place in Istria at the beginning of June.

The mission is simple - no waste along the route.

Everything is planned around that. Reusable containers for meals, all food and water carried in multi-use systems, and a mindset focused on minimizing impact every step of the way.

Along the trail, we educate and share, showing how small changes in how we pack, consume, and move through nature can make a lasting impact, while carrying those lessons into every future event.

Need a place to rest while hiking the trails?

We’re proud to partner with the Southern California Mountains Foundation in supporting their mission to protect and preserve the San Bernardino National Forest.

As part of this collaboration, we’ve adopted a HIGHLANDER bench along the scenic Big Bear trails - a small contribution to a much bigger impact.

Pause at our bench to take in the views and recharge before continuing your journey.

Partners in crime

Care for Big Bear

Surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, Care for Big Bear invites visitors to explore responsibly. It encourages simple, meaningful actions like following Leave No Trace principles, supporting local green businesses, and getting involved in community efforts.

It’s a mindset HIGHLANDER naturally connects with, which is why we’ve been partnering with them for the past five years. For us, it’s about enjoying nature, respecting it, and leaving it just as beautiful for the next person.

Responsible Stewardship

We’ve teamed up with Responsible Stewardship, an organization focused on protecting outdoor spaces and public lands through education, community action, and large-scale clean-up initiatives.

They work directly with events, local communities, and volunteers to reduce environmental impact, promote responsible outdoor behavior, and actively remove waste from nature.

From picking up trash on the trail to sorting and reducing waste, it’s the small actions that add up. Since 2022, together we’ve removed over 170,000 kg of waste from natural environments.

Hike the Good Hike

Through our partnership with Hike The Good Hike and our ambassador Jesse Cody, we are using nature as a tool for mental well-being. With the right gear and a strong community, participants are given the chance to step outside, reset, and reconnect, with themselves and the world around them.

At HIGHLANDER Big Bear Lake, Jesse Cody shared his personal journey through depression and how hiking saved his life and that’s the kind of impact we hope to pass on to others. A powerful reminder that sometimes, the trail is more than just a path, it’s a way forward.

Sawyer

Sawyer plays a big role in powering the HIGHLANDER experience. Their water filtration, insect repellent, first aid, and sunscreen products support our community in going further with confidence and staying focused on the experience.

Over a decade ago, Sawyer set a new standard in water filtration by introducing hollow fiber membrane technology to the outdoor industry, values of innovation and reliability we share at HIGHLANDER. Their Marketing Director, Travis Avery, recognized the HIGHLANDER story right away and is now coming to experience it firsthand at HIGHLANDER Big Bear Lake.

One ATTA Time

We have partnered with One ATTA Time, a nonprofit founded by Sean Kappauf, built on a simple but powerful mission, bringing clean drinking water to communities around the world.

What began with just 50 water filters after a life-changing trip to El Salvador has grown into a global movement, working with local leaders to deliver sustainable access to clean water where it’s needed most.

Sean will be joining us at HIGHLANDER Big Bear Lake to share that journey and to remind us that even small actions can create real, lasting impact.

Media

Want to partner with us?

Get in touch at

info@highlanderadventure.com

Proud Partners