Green Buffalow
Woman and minority-owned small business changing the landscape for women Wildland Firefighters. Help us expand our production of uniforms.
Project Description
Our Mission
Since 2015, we've been on a mission to create the best fitting, most comfortable Wildland Firefighter uniforms available. We believe that all bodies deserve to have uniforms that truly fit. We know that the right gear can make all the difference in being able to work efficiently and safely, and that's exactly why do we what we do. We saw a void in Wildland garments - especially for women - and married our backgrounds in apparel design with a passion to give back in a meaningful way to those who are putting their lives on the line keeping communities around the nation safe day after day.
The Problem
Over the last 10 years, the average number of wildfires per year has grown to over 60,000, burning close to 10 million acres annually. Devastating blazes have ravaged communities all over the nation. Battling flames every step of the way are specially-trained wildland firefighters. While there are over 10,000 women (and counting!) on the front lines of fire, women are wearing uniforms made for men. The uniform size chart for manufacturers has not been updated since the early 1990s. There are no size specifications for women's upper torso garments, and the lower torso garments are almost a mirror image of the men's torso, resulting in ill-fitting garments.
Women wildland firefighters are often out on the fire line for days, sometimes weeks at a time. They're climbing rugged terrain, hauling chainsaws and equipment, while dragging pants get snagged on brush and extra fabric gathers in all the wrong places. Due to poor fit of uniforms, many also experience chafing and bleeding. Current uniforms inhibit movement and the range of motion necessary for fighting fires.
Our Solution
After years of research, fit trials, partnerships with industry experts and working with the sizing committee, Green Buffalow introduced the first full women's Wildland Fire uniform (both shirt and pants) to the market in 2020. Our experience as technical designers and our backgrounds in apparel design allowed us to start from scratch, creating a uniform that truly fits, feels comfortable, and moves with the body instead of against it.
Our Campaign Goals
We've successfully completed two rounds of manufacturing Green Buffalow uniforms and have sold nearly all of our inventory through direct sales to wildland firefighters and through a wholesale account. We are raising $50,000 on IFW to scale our production so that we can meet demands for women in fire. Additionally, we'll be starting prototypes on a full uniform for men. Our uniforms fit so well and are so comfortable we've had several men purchase Green Buffalow uniforms - a testament to the fact that we truly are the best fit in wildland.
About Us
Green Buffalow is proud to be a woman and minority owned small business. Our uniforms are designed in Colorado and Made in the USA. Living in Colorado, we're no strangers to fire: Korena's husband has been in wildland for over 20 years. We've seen the effects fire has on the community and the lengths wildland firefighters go to in order to protect them. Our unique experience of being close to fire and our passion for using our talents for good married with our backgrounds in technical and apparel design allowed us to reimagine and create a uniform that felt good to those wearing them.
While Korena & Summer run the business, we're grateful to have a full team of experts, consultants, and friends behind us, helping to guide us in the best path forward.
Our Name Origin
You might be wondering about our name and why there's a 'w' at the end of Green Buffalow. Our name comes from the first documented wildland fire - a Lewis & Clark journal entry from 1804 that reads "...a boy went unhurt in the midst of the wildfire flaim...because a green buffalow skin was thrown over him by his mother. The fire did not burn under the green buffalow, leaving the grass around the boy unharmed." If you look closely at our logo you can see the mirrored image of the boy who was saved by the green buffalow skin.
Thank You
THANK YOU for investing in our project! Your efforts help us continue to invest in the access and inclusion for women in fire!
Recent Awards
We love the IFW mission and the IFW Partners! Our company has benefitted from the coaching program and we're grateful for access to a crowdfunding platform. We're also a recent 2022 Johnnie Walker & IFW First Strides Grant Recipient and a proud 2021 IFW Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist.
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Thank you for choosing to learn more about Green Buffalow! If you have a question not answered below, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]
- Can I contribute anonymously?
- Absolutely! All you have to do is checkout as a guest and use 'Anonymous' in the guest name field, type in any password and click to return to checkout.
- Aren't there other companies making wildland uniforms for women? How are you different?
- We do have peers in our field, but they're using sizing made for men. We create an incredible fit for incredible women. We've also thought about all the details. Things like ensuring pockets are the right size and in the right place, that there are special gussets and articulation in the exact right spot, and that the waistband is contoured for comfort. In other words, a lot of little things that add up to be just what those in wildland fire need. Our garments feature our Technical Athletic Fit, which allows for maximum movement without restrictions and all of the safety and function wildland firefighters need when out on the fireline.
- What exactly does my donation go towards?
- Thanks for asking! We know that 'expanding production' is a vague term. These funds allow us to order more qty of fabric, supplies, and produce more uniforms than we've been able to produce in the past. A small percentage also allows us to begin to pay ourselves (after nearly 6 years of investing all profits back into our business), produce some additional marketing assets, and hire someone where needed for assistance with fulfillment and shipping. We're also setting aside some funds for R&D as well as a small emergency fund.
- What if I want to give an amount larger than the levels specified or want to talk about a potential investment in your company?
- Amazing! Email us at [email protected] and we'll be glad to talk through details. Also, we're flattered.
- Can I provide funds in installments?
- Yes! At the end of our campaign, we'll gather funders by name to ensure you're rewarded at the highest applicable reward level.
- How can I learn more about Green Buffalow?
- Visit www.greenbuffalow.com to read more about us. You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook.
No reward, just love! You believe in our mission, inclusivity for women in fire and want to show your support. Choose the dollar amount of your choice, and receive satisfaction of knowing you helped expand production so we can create more uniforms for the women battling wildland fires.
- Shoutout on our social media channels
- Our 'Be A Badass. Rest. Repeat.' Green Buffalow logo sticker. Waterproof, so you can add it to a water bottle or helmet!
- Our 'Be A Badass. Rest. Repeat.' Green Buffalow waterproof sticker. Add it to a water bottle, helmet, or cooler!
- A custom Be A Badass Playlist, curated by wildland firefighters and guaranteed to pump you up to overcome your next challenge.
- Our custom 'Be A Badass' playlist, curated by wildland firefighters and guaranteed to pump you up to overcome your next challenge.
- Green Buffalow logo hat to show your support for those on the frontlines of wildland fire.
- Green Buffalow logo hat to show your support for those on the frontlines of wildland fire.
- Limited Edition Green Buffalow Kula Cloth.
- It's a first of its kind - an intentionally (and obsessively) designed reusable antimicrobial pee cloth.
- Perfect for hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, mountain biking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, motorcycling, and fighting wildland fires.
- Kula Cloth is made with highly advanced textiles that are specifically designed for hygiene, the fabric is antimicrobial and resistant to odors.
- (1) America The Beautiful Park Pass (emailed to you).
- This pass acts as your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
- A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Ages 15 and under are admitted free.
- 10 Trees planted in your honor by the USDA Forest Service Plant-A-Tree Program to aid in reforestation. You'll receive a certificate acknowledging your gift from the Forest Service.
- Your name or company logo featured on the Green Buffalow website, in a blog post, and on our newsletter, thanking you for your support.
- A 1-hour interview or coffee (on us!) with Green Buffalow Co-Founders to talk business, manufacturing, small business startup, product related or any topic of your choice. For those not local to Fort Collins, we'll zoom with you!
- One Green Buffalow Women's Wildland Aspen Shirt (a 'yellow' if you're in the know) donated to a woman wildland firefighter in your name.
- 10 trees planted in your honor by the USDA Forest Service Plant-A-Tree program to aid in reforestation. You'll receive a certificate acknowledging your gift from the Forest Service.
- Your name or company logo featured on the Green Buffalow website, in a blog post, and on our newsletter to acknowledge and thank you
- One pair of Green Buffalow Women's Wildland Noble Pant ("greens" if you're hip to wildland lingo) donated to a woman wildland firefighter in your name
- 20 trees planted in your honor by the USDA Forest Service Plant-A-Tree Program to aid in reforestation. You'll receive a certificate acknowledging your gift from the Forest Service
- Your name or company logo featured on the Green Buffalow website, in a blog post, and on a newsletter to acknowledge and thank you
- Lunch for a local Colorado Wildland fire crew donated in your name
- One Green Buffalow Women's Wildland Aspen Shirt and Noble Pant donated to a woman wildland firefighter in your name
- 30 trees planted in your honor by the USDA Forest Service Plant-A-Tree Program. Trees are planted in national forests throughout the United States to aid in reforestation
Rewards
No reward, just love! You believe in our mission, inclusivity for women in fire and want to show your support. Choose the dollar amount of your choice, and receive satisfaction of knowing you helped expand production so we can create more uniforms for the women battling wildland fires.
- Shoutout on our social media channels
- Our 'Be A Badass. Rest. Repeat.' Green Buffalow logo sticker. Waterproof, so you can add it to a water bottle or helmet!
- Our 'Be A Badass. Rest. Repeat.' Green Buffalow waterproof sticker. Add it to a water bottle, helmet, or cooler!
- A custom Be A Badass Playlist, curated by wildland firefighters and guaranteed to pump you up to overcome your next challenge.
- Our custom 'Be A Badass' playlist, curated by wildland firefighters and guaranteed to pump you up to overcome your next challenge.
- Green Buffalow logo hat to show your support for those on the frontlines of wildland fire.
- Green Buffalow logo hat to show your support for those on the frontlines of wildland fire.
- Limited Edition Green Buffalow Kula Cloth.
- It's a first of its kind - an intentionally (and obsessively) designed reusable antimicrobial pee cloth.
- Perfect for hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, mountain biking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, motorcycling, and fighting wildland fires.
- Kula Cloth is made with highly advanced textiles that are specifically designed for hygiene, the fabric is antimicrobial and resistant to odors.
- (1) America The Beautiful Park Pass (emailed to you).
- This pass acts as your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
- A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Ages 15 and under are admitted free.
- 10 Trees planted in your honor by the USDA Forest Service Plant-A-Tree Program to aid in reforestation. You'll receive a certificate acknowledging your gift from the Forest Service.
- Your name or company logo featured on the Green Buffalow website, in a blog post, and on our newsletter, thanking you for your support.
- A 1-hour interview or coffee (on us!) with Green Buffalow Co-Founders to talk business, manufacturing, small business startup, product related or any topic of your choice. For those not local to Fort Collins, we'll zoom with you!
- One Green Buffalow Women's Wildland Aspen Shirt (a 'yellow' if you're in the know) donated to a woman wildland firefighter in your name.
- 10 trees planted in your honor by the USDA Forest Service Plant-A-Tree program to aid in reforestation. You'll receive a certificate acknowledging your gift from the Forest Service.
- Your name or company logo featured on the Green Buffalow website, in a blog post, and on our newsletter to acknowledge and thank you
- One pair of Green Buffalow Women's Wildland Noble Pant ("greens" if you're hip to wildland lingo) donated to a woman wildland firefighter in your name
- 20 trees planted in your honor by the USDA Forest Service Plant-A-Tree Program to aid in reforestation. You'll receive a certificate acknowledging your gift from the Forest Service
- Your name or company logo featured on the Green Buffalow website, in a blog post, and on a newsletter to acknowledge and thank you
- Lunch for a local Colorado Wildland fire crew donated in your name
- One Green Buffalow Women's Wildland Aspen Shirt and Noble Pant donated to a woman wildland firefighter in your name
- 30 trees planted in your honor by the USDA Forest Service Plant-A-Tree Program. Trees are planted in national forests throughout the United States to aid in reforestation