Photo: Darren Mahuron

The newsleter of Trees, Water & People

Forests Forever
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By Megan Maiolo-Heath, Marketng Manager
Within each community that our work touches, we encounter the same
desires among local citzens: a healthy life and a bright future for themselves,
their children, and their grandchildren. I think this is a desire that most every
human on Earth longs for and strives towards. We seek healthier minds,
bodies, and spirits.
At Trees, Water & People, we design conservaton projects with one
important queston in mind: How can we create a bright future for every
person we work with? Our approach to conservaton includes more than just
environmental protecton. We seek to improve all aspects of life, including
human health and economic well-being.
An example of this can be seen within our Solar Energy Program, which
brings clean energy to families living without electricity. Solar energy reduces
the use of natural resources and cuts harmful emissions, while providing
families with a beter quality of life. Children can study at night, long afer
Bright Futures
Whats Inside
From the Board
Page 3
Partner Update: AAP
Page 4
A Local Approach
Page 5
Waitng for Warmth
Page 6
Sharing Solutons
Page 7
Making a Real Diference
Page 8
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By Marilyn Thayer, Trees, Water & People Board Member
Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono. This is the state moto of Hawaii meaning,
The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness. As a natve of the islands, I
learned at an early age the value in not only respectng our land and people, but also
the responsibility of living in and being a part of the community. I have fond memories
of my parents taking us to the mountains of Tantalus for a hike, surrounded by thick
bamboo forests, smelling the sweet fragrances of white ginger blossoms, and the
fresh guava and lilikoi fruit that we ate along the way. There was also the walk down
the winding path to Hanauma Bay (a marine preserve), where we swam out to the
reefs to explore the underwater world, hiked along the rocky shore watching the
waves break, and built sand castles on the white sandy beaches.
Before returning home, we always
cleaned up the area so that others could
enjoy it, as well. I now understand that my
parents were teaching us the concept of
leave no trace. They were instlling in us
that if we all do our part, we will be able
to provide our children and our childrens
children with similar opportunites and
experiences to enjoy. Decades later, my husband Paul and I contnue to return to
the islands with our children, Maile and Daniel, to share and experience our favorite
places and make new memories.
Sharing the passion for and commitment to protectng our environment,
Paul and I were very excited to discover an
organizaton that is equally commited to
peoples well-being, as well as the protecton
of our planet. And even more, Trees, Water &
People (TWP) is an organizaton that involves
the community in identfying problems and
partcipatng in the solutons to manage their
natural resources. While we have supported
TWP for many years as donors, we feel
honored to now support the mission and
work as board members.
From the Board
the sun has set. Families save money by replacing
kerosene lamps and reducing mobile charging fees.
And, health is improved by reducing polluton in
the home.
Solar lightng systems are both literally,
and fguratvely, creatng a brighter future
for thousands of families who have been lef
in the dark. And, this can be seen with each
of our community-based programs, including
reforestaton, clean cookstoves, solar heaters,
and green job training. We provide local people
in Central America, Hait, and on Natve American
reservatons with the tools, training, and resources
needed to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing
their communites.
This is what inspires us each day and, from what so many donors have told us,
this is what inspires other people to give to these important projects. Conservaton
can, and should, empower people to create a brighter future!
We hope you will contnue to support our work and the communites that beneft
from your generous donatons. In the coming months, we will give you a closer look
at how your caring and sharing is creatng bright futures for thousands of families.
Bright Futures Contnued...
If we all do our part, we will
be able to provide our children
and our childrens children
with similar opportunites and
experiences to enjoy.

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On the Cover:
Solar lights are
providing rural
communites with clean
energy for a beter life.
Photo:
Board Members, Paul and Marilyn Thayer, have been long-tme donors to
TWP. We are honored to have them serving on our board.
When you donate
to Trees, Water &
People you can be
confdent that your
hard earned money
is used responsibly
to bring about real,
sustainable change.
Join the conversation online!
#brightfutures
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Partner Update: Arboles y Agua para el Pueblo
By Lindsay Saperstone, Internatonal Communicatons Coordinator
For the past 13 years, we have worked with Arboles y Agua para el Pueblo (AAP)
to plant more than 600,000 trees in El Salvador. These reforestaton eforts were
started by passionate community members who were concerned about deforestaton
and crop fres in their local watershed. Their soluton was to create a nursery where
they could grow forest and fruit trees. AAP and Trees, Water & People provided
technical assistance and trained locals to manage the tree nurseries. We also trained
community members in preventng and combatng forest fres.
However, fnding the land and water for these tree nurseries has not always been
easy. The frst nursery was built in El Coco, next to the local health clinic, but was
forced to move when the clinic needed to expand. Since then, AAP has had to move
the nursery three tmes! Despite these difcultes, AAP has succeeded in making a
signifcant impact in local forest conservaton. Their tree nurseries have produced
over half a million trees, improving the soil and water health for generatons to come.
Earlier this year, AAP received
news that they would have to vacate
the land where their nursery had
been located since 2007. Moving the
nursery was a huge challenge because
the staf had already planted 25,000 seeds in soil bags, not to menton they needed
to take down, transport, and then rebuild the whole nursery infrastructure.
Thanks to the generosity of a local family with available land, the AAP team was
able to relocate the nursery, including the 25,000 bags of soil. Armando, Director of
AAP, said, We recognize the work done by our staf to dismantle the nursery in El
Carmen and reestablish the new nursery. These people worked hard and without
sparing any additonal tme.
Given everything the AAP folks have
been through, Armando believes it is tme
to purchase their own land. In the coming
months, he will look for a plot of land to
call their own, ensuring we can contnue
these important reforestaton eforts well
into the future. Stay tuned for updates
about how you can help!
A Local Approach to a Global Problem
By Sebastan Africano, Internatonal Director
Climate change afects us all. Around the world, communites are already sufering
from its drastc local impacts, such as increased natural disasters, destructve weather
paterns, and reduced crop yields. Its tme to take acton.
Trees, Water & People is working with our long-tme partner in Nicaragua,
Prolea, to establish the Natonal Center for Biomass Energy & Climate Change near
La Paz Centro, about an hour northwest of the capital of Managua.
When completed, the Center will be an educatonal resource where communites
can learn about forest management, renewable energy, cleantech, and improved
cookstoves. In additon to the core training, we will develop the Center as a global
facility, where people from around the world will be empowered with the skills
needed to help them adapt to climate change in their region.
Please join us in supportng communites that are negatvely impacted by climate
change by considering a donaton to the new Center. Also, you can follow the
development of the new Natonal Center for Biomass Energy & Climate Change by
visitng: www.treeswaterpeople.org/climatecenter
Features of the Natonal Center for Biomass Energy & Climate Change will include:
Biomass Forest Plots
Classrooms for Training and Workshops
Clean Cookstoves and Fuel-Efcient Kilns
2kW Photovoltaic System
Cleantech Products (solar lights, solar cell phone charging, etc.)
Renewable Energy and Energy Efciency Demonstratons
2014 Project Timeline:
March/April: Install Electrical System
April-June: Establish frst forestry plots; Drill well and install water system
June-September: Build ceramic producton area; construct warehouse
October-December: Construct housing and dormitories
Thanks to the generosity of a local
family with land, the AAP team
was able to relocate the nursery.
Photo:
Tania Alarcn, happy that the big move is
complete, plants seeds at the new nursery.
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Join TWP
online and
receive
updates on
news and
events.
Photo:
With your support, the
Center will be a world-
class facility for research
and educaton.
7 6
By Lacey Gaechter, Natonal Director and Specter
Specter, nickname of an amazing gentleman who entered TWPs world for the
grand opening of the Sacred Earth Lodge (SEL), has lent his extensive professional
skills in the solar and building sectors to the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center
(RCREC). He was kind enough to share some of his experiences with us.
I had the privilege of spending much
of this past winter at the Red Cloud
Renewable Energy Center on the Pine
Ridge Reservaton. Initally, I had only
intended to visit for the grand opening of
the Sacred Earth Lodge, however, I was motvated by Henry Red Cloud to extend my
stay. Henry embodies the leadership and vision needed, and I have never met anyone
like him. As I learned of the scope of his work and the vast array of challenges, I was
eager to ofer any assistance I could.
Heat is a critcal need during harsh South Dakota winters. Lack of heat in this
landscape can lead to death from hypothermia. Henry understands the need for
alternatve heat sources on the reservaton. In the new lodge, he installed hundreds
of feet of pipe in the concrete slab, and together we developed a plan for a solar hot
water heatng system. This installaton evolved into a workshop - why not do some
training as we put this thing together?
During the Solar Hot Water Heatng Workshop students
assembled the system, and at the end we could see how the
hundreds of parts in the original design worked together to
efciently heat the lodge. I was elated with the performance.
Infra-red thermometer readings confrmed that the slab was
soaking up all the energy absorbed by the collector area,
producing 30,000 BTUs of energy per hour. Nice!
A few weeks later, my son and I stayed in the Lodge while
I checked the new system. Not only was the building warmer
than the outside temperature, it also felt really good. So
good, that I ran around checking all of the electric baseboards
installed in the bedrooms and bathrooms, thinking that they
might by cranked up. But they were all turned down. The solar
thermal was carrying the heat load of the Lodge all on its own.
Building on the work that Henry and TWP are doing, I
imagine a team of Solar Warriors that can share solutons and
adapt technology to the reality of the Lakota Oyate. I hope
that you will support the Tribal Renewable Energy Program by
volunteering your tme and money!
Many thanks to Specter for his work and words!
Sharing Solutons and Adaptng Technology
By Lacey Gaechter, Natonal Director
Since we launched our Tribal Renewable Energy Program in 2007, our solar air
heaters have been installed on over 830 homes, helping to keep families warm using
clean energy from the sun. Our generous donors have helped us reach many Natve
American families, but we stll have much work to do. Currently, we have a waitng
list of nearly 50 families who have applied to receive a solar heater.
Through the applicaton process, we
learn a lot about benefciaries before we
ever meet. These personal stories have
made me realize how important our work
is for Natve American communites. Since
you, our supporters, are the reason we can
install these systems, I wanted to share
some of their words with you.
Jerome, from South Dakota, lives on his
own and spends $100 each month to heat
his home with a wood burning stove. His
income is only $1,700 per year. He wants
to depend less on wood-burning in hopes
that cleaner indoor air will improve his
heart conditon and make his home more
comfortable for his grandkids. Thanks to
donors like you, he will receive his new
solar heater this month.
Yolanda, from the Eastern Shoshone Tribe writes that a solar heater will help
heat my home that is usually cold and I will be able to buy my kids clothes and other
things they go without because I have to pay the electric. If chosen to partcipate in
your program, I would appreciate it tremendously.
Sandra, also from the Eastern
Shoshone Tribe, commented, It would
save money. Everything is electric. We
have two wood burning stoves to warm
the house. Our water pipes are frozen
and broke. We need diferent heatng or
heaters.
Bob, from the Wind River Reservaton in Wyoming, applied for a heater for he
and his wife saying, We remodeled this old house but did not realize that we would
get old and need more heat. I like Bobs sense of humor already! He goes on to say,
My wife and I are both 65 years young. Our grandkids dont come - they say our
house is too cold.
We hope you will consider a donaton today so we can reach every family on our
solar heater waitng list. No family should have to live without heat!
Community Voices: Waitng for Warmth
Our solar air heaters have been
installed on over 830 homes,
helping to keep families warm
using clean energy from the sun.
Lack of heat in this landscape
can lead to death from
hypothermia.
Photo:
Elmer Melton, the frst
Alaskan Natve to visit
RCREC, helped us install
the new solar hot water
heatng system.
Photo:
Solar heaters improve
lives using clean energy
from the sun.
Printed on recycled paper and 100% Replanted. To fnd out how you can be 100% Replanted, please visit www.replantrees.org.
Forests Forever is published by Trees, Water & People. If you know someone who cares about people and the planet and should be
added to our mailing list, please contact us at 877-606-4TWP or email us at twp@treeswaterpeople.org.
Program Partners
rboles Y Agua para El Pueblo (AAP), El Salvador
Utz Che, Guatemala
Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT), Hait
Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL), Hait
Asociacin Hondurea para El Desarrollo (AHDESA), Honduras
Barefoot Power, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala
Lucirnaga, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala
PROLEA, Nicaragua
PowerMundo, Peru
Lakota Solar Enterprises (LSE), South Dakota, USA
Coaliton for the Poudre River Watershed, Colorado, USA
Solar Energy Internatonal (SEI), Colorado, USA
Interns
Jennie Andrusin, Natonal Development Intern
Rita Harris-Powers, Natonal Development Intern
Sherry Moldenhauer, Natonal Intern
Kelly McNash, SunMobile Intern
Kaleb Blewet, Internatonal Development Intern
Molly Geppert, Internatonal Development Intern
Board of Directors
Jon Becker, President
Jenny Bramhall, Vice President
Stuart Conway, Treasurer
Jamie Klein, Secretary
Tim Carney, Kathy Cosgrove Green, Adele Dinsmore, Patrick
Flynn, Jeremy Foster, Kathryn Higgins, Jef Hargis, Scot Johnson,
Marilyn Thayer, Paul Thayer, Jim Volpa
Staf
Richard Fox, Executve Director
Lacey Gaechter, Out-Going Natonal Director
Jamie Folsom, In-Coming Natonal Director
John Motley, Assistant Natonal Director
Sebastan Africano, Internatonal Director
Anibal Benjamin Osorto, Internatonal Regional Coordinator
Lindsay Saperstone, Internatonal Communicatons Coordinator
Diane Vella, Finance Director
Heather Herrell, Development Director
Rachel Buck, Development Associate
Amanda Haggerty, Data & IT Manager
Megan Maiolo-Heath, Marketng Manager
Kelsey McMillan, Ofce Manager
Trees, Water & People
633 Remington Street Fort Collins, CO 80524 877-606-4TWP www.treeswaterpeople.org
By Bonnie Power, Trees, Water & People Donor
Several years ago, I read a news artcle indicatng that South Dakota had some of the poorest countes in the
entre United States. I decided I wanted to do something that would make a diference there. Previously, I had
contributed to the support of children through Save the Children in Nepal and Greece, and my husband had
contributed through a similar program to support a child on the Pine Ridge Reservaton in South Dakota. When I
found out that there was no longer any such program helping children in South Dakota, I did an internet search
and found Trees, Water & People (TWP).
As a member of the Evergreen Circle, I make a monthly donaton
to Trees, Water & People. Because of their high charity ratng,
I have encouraged friends and family to give, as well. When I
have occasions where we want to do something in lieu of gifs
(holidays and the like), I suggest contributons to TWP.
I like the personal reach of supportng Trees, Water & People
- that my monthly check is translated directly into solar heaters,
cookstoves, and tree nurseries that make an immediate
diference on a small scale in real peoples lives. This has been
my general patern of charity much of my life: Trying to make a
diference at a close distance.
Making a Real Diference
Photo: Bonnie shares her passion for making
a diference with her family.