Welcome to the Rainforest Partnership blog!We have been in existence officially as an organization since December and the enthusiasm and energy of our board, executive director, and the many people who are already helping us is unbelievable. As we are so new I feel I should write the mission into this blog so here it is.To develop a global network of partners to protect the Earth’s rainforests by:• Identifying threats to forest integrity in partnership with local stakeholders;• Working with local communities, businesses, government, and nonprofit agencies to create sustainable economic development alternatives to deforestation, ensuring the integrity of the forest and all its resources for generations to come;• Raising awareness in our communities of the issues relevant to protecting the forest and the need for action to connect activities in each partner community to global impacts on climate change;• Acting as a catalyst—linking people to people—to achieve a sustainable future.And to do so in a way that respects all, protecting human rights and preserving indigenous integrity.Here’s who we are to date:Executive Director: Niyanta SpelmanNiyanta is both the visionary and the activist who galvanized us into action to create this organization. As ED, Niyanta is an ex-officio board memberThe BoardChair: Hazel BarbourTreasurer: Bob WarnekeSecretary: Jordan ErdosAt Large member: Pauline LewisFor more information about each board member, read our bios on the Rainforest Partnership website.We could not have achieved as much as we already have in getting Rainforest Partnership off the ground without the help of a number of amazing people. As Niyanta button-holed these people to tap into the wealth of information and advice they have to offer, I am going to ask her to thank each and every one of you on her input to this blog.I am so excited to be present at the birth of this organization which I believe will very quickly become a major player in the protection of the rainforest and will act as a catalyst for change in how we all relate to out global environment.Hazel BarbourBoard Chair“Rainforest Partnership – Linking people to people for a sustainable future.”
I guess one can’t escape Hook ‘em horns, even in Turrialba, Costa Rica!
Ronan is Austin’s goodwill ambassador. Perhaps he’s on to something — while American football has few followers outside of the U.S., a football/fútbol connection is not a bad way to make the cultural connection.