Outdoor gear companies protect the wilderness where their customers roam.Anonymously situated in a grove of bristlecone pines in the White Mountains of eastern California is a gnarled, ancient specimen of a tree, nicknamed Methuselah, after the Biblical figure of unsurpassed longevity. With an age estimated at more than 4,800 years, Methuselah has outlived all other known organisms on earth. Thanks to recent landmark legislation, backed not only by environmental groups but also by a coalition of outdoor-recreation companies called the Conservation Alliance, the tree will remain unmolested for the foreseeable future.The Omnibus Public Land Management Act permanently protects as national wilderness more than 2 million acres, including nearly half a million in the Eastern Sierra and White Mountains, where Methuselah resides. "These places are important not just for their inherent habitat or recreational values," says John Sterling, executive director of the Conservation Alliance. "It's important to the outdoor business that places like these be protected."Founded in 1989 by four leading outdoor-recreation companies-REI, the North Face, Kelty, and Patagonia-the Conservation Alliance now includes more than 160 member companies, whose annual dues are disbursed as grants to the worthiest of wilderness conservation projects throughout North America. The way these companies see it, if the wilderness isn't protected, there will be no place to use their products. To date, the Alliance has awarded a total of $7.4 million in grants, helping to protect more than 40 million acres of land, preserve access to 17,000 miles of rivers, and stop or remove 27 dams. Typical Alliance-funded projects are local, grassroots efforts that aim to achieve permanent protection of a locale within a four-year period.Rarely do victories come en masse as they did in late March, when President Obama signed the omnibus bill into law. "With the stroke of a pen," said Sterling, "Fourteen of the projects we funded crossed the finish line at the same time."Photo via the California Wild Heritage CampaignReturn to the interactive site
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This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.