Project - Trees, Water & People

Trees, Water & People was cofounded in 1998 by Richard Fox and Stuart Conway, two foresters and friends who saw an urgent need to address the pervasive deforestation in Latin America. As their vision evolved, they quickly realized that without addressing the underlying causes of deforestation, they would never be able to stop it. We had to ask ourselves, if people are cutting down trees to cook their meals, then how can we help them reduce the amount of wood needed every time they cook. For twenty five years, Trees, Water & People has been a leader in the design and implementation of programs that produce tangible benefits for people and planet. Today, our work is more urgent than ever, as climate change threatens the livelihoods of millions of people in our region. At Trees, Water & People, our work is guided by two core beliefs: that natural resources are best protected when local people play an active role in their care and management, and that preserving local ecosystems is essential for the ongoing social, economic, and environmental health of communities everywhere. We are staffed by a group of dedicated and culturally grounded professionals who get up every day to work for people and planet, and to help communities manage the natural resources upon which their livelihoods depend. Local people are at the center of all our work, and building their capacity to improve their own communities ensures local sustainability is built into everything we do. But we can't do it by ourselves.