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Big Gift 1991–2007 How Do We Know Our Big Gift Forests are Saved Forever? “Forever” is a hard promise to keep—as we are reminded daily. We use the word to describe our honest intention and our faith in the high integrity of our partner organizations. Big Gift sites from 1991 through 2004 were selected especially for children through the The Nature Conservancy’s Adopt an Acre® program. Money donated by students and teachers for these sites purchased rainforest acres, which have been incorporated into national parks or reserves. Donations continue to support community development and stewardship programs. Parks and reserves are managed by governmental agencies or TNC partner organizations—local NGOs (non-governmental organizations)—or both. With assistance from TNC, NGOs are responsible for protecting rainforest ecosystems and for developing educational and economic opportunities for local communities. Earth’s Birthday Project, The Nature Conservancy, and all of our Latin American partner organizations are pledged to the best long-term land stewardship over the longest possible period of time. EBP chose to make TNC our conservation partner because, among international environmental groups, they have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to conservation and the highest level of scientific skill and professionalism. The Conservancy’s Adopt an Acre program® focuses on land purchase, long-term stewardship, and sustainable community development, on the principle that well-educated, economically secure communities make the most trustworthy rainforest stewards. All of our Big Gift/Adopt an Acre® sites are integrated into TNC’s overall Latin American program, which means that they are supported by a greater fund-raising and stewardship effort. The Conservancy is funded by a healthy variety of donors, including governments, foundations, corporations, and individuals. For example, our Big Gift 2002 site, Mata Atlantica, has become part of a reserve system that is supported in part by corporate donors interested in large reforestation and carbon sequestering projects. EBP is careful to keep in touch with Latin American partner organizations responsible for past Big Gift/Adopt an Acre® sites. Updates are posted here at earthsbirthday.org, and occasional reports are available at http://nature.org. EBP is also developing educational projects that will link Latin American and U.S. classrooms and provide additional support to partners. We hope that you will spend a few moments reading more about the Big Gift. If you have questions or comments, please write us at info@earthsbirthday.org. |