Our mission: To raise $1 million for the trades.
In its essence, urture is about balancing the best of what is human with a love for people being outside. Parks, wooded trails, and many other outdoor experiences are built, maintained, and made accessible by hard working people. We obsess over making nature more accessible through human ingenuity. We honor those who shape and care for these spaces, and we seek to unlock this passion in every one of us. Its in our name, a simple equation:
Urban + nature = urture
In its essence, urture is about balancing the best of what is human with a love for people being outside.
We create quality products for those who strive for excellence in their craft, value genuine connection, and aren't afraid to challenge the status quo. Rooted in a deep love for nature and fueled by human innovation, urture champions the spirit of those who build, create, and persevere, all while fostering a strong sense of community and giving back.
A Life Outside Since 1977
The habitat of Zech Strauser’s childhood were the farms and free-ranging open spaces of eastern Pennsylvania. During a time when most children’s lives move indoors, Zech was homeschooled by parents who inspired his curiosity in the natural world, giving him a powerful connection with nature that defines him to this day.
Zech’s journey, from playing outdoors to making a living outdoors, was the road trip of a lifetime. He pursued the life of a ski instructor and mogul coach In Vermont, became interested in outdoor performance apparel, and in 1998, he launched one of eastern Pennsylvania’s most recognized regional landscape companies, a firm – Strauser Nature’s Helpers that was acquired by Schill Grounds Management in 2023.
“Urture brings me full-circle,” said Zech. “Growing up and being outdoors my entire life, I had a dream to have an outdoor clothing brand with the ability to make an impact. The rapid growth of green collar jobs gives me an opportunity to make sure that the people doing next generation green jobs have the right protective gear and apparel to do their jobs well.”
“We know that children need to play outside more. But it’s also true that everyone needs to be outside more. It’s on us to make nature a daily, ordinary part of everyone’s life and do what we can to make green jobs and the green economy a great career choice, supported by opportunities for training and growth.”