The Forest Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes sustainable livelihoods around the world… and around the block.

We provide both environmental education and “green” business development through a number of ongoing programs and projects, many of which are described in our press releases. We have a lot of really creative and innovative ideas and need your support.

A short profile of the organization, plus our mission, board members, and contact information are detailed on our about us page.

The Forest Foundation was created by Forests of the World, a company which imports fairly traded products from areas of high biodiversity. For more information, please see their web site.

 

Organization Profile

The Forest Foundation (TFF) is a tax-exempt, non-profit
organization, started in 2001 by Forests of the World, LLC.
TFF, through its partners, has generated over $1.5 million from the
sale of crafts, coffee, chocolate and other products. This revenue
has supported dozens of artisans and producer groups; promoted the
principles of fair trade, biodiversity conservation and sustainable
development; helped empower women; and initiated projects in over a
dozen mega-diverse countries.

We are a hybrid organization, with characteristics of both
non-profit and more commercial organizations. In short, we not
only make grants and give talks, we also sell things.

TFF is supported through grants, donations, contracts and sales of
fair trade crafts, ecotours and educational products and services.
This support allows it to continue to provide innovative
entrepreneurial and educational strategies.

TFF, through its sister organization Forests of the World, is a
member of:

• Fair Trade Federation (FTF);
• North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE);
• Environmental Educators of North Carolina

The Forest Foundation was founded by graduates of Duke University’s
School of the Environment. Other founding board
members work in international conservation and development.

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Our Mission

The mission of The Forest Foundation is to assist artisans,
producer groups and other entrepreneurs living in and around areas of
high biodiversity. These areas are critical to our needs, both now
and for future generations. They are also necessary because of
their intrinsic value and beauty.

Our goal is to develop model programs in sustainable business and
rural development. We want to use market-based initiatives to create
not only incentives for sustainability, but also products that internalize
the costs and benefits of protecting, conserving, and restoring these
natural areas. We want to enable everyone to make conscientious
choices that create opportunity, protect these “last great places,”
and build a better world.

Rapid loss of biodiversity, globalization and overpopulation are
rapidly affecting communities tied to these important resources. It
is imperative that we understand how we are connected to these areas,
through our consumptive behavior, and to consume more sustainably,
properly valuing both human and natural capital. Support must be
given in education, resource and business management to promote
sustainable livelihoods. It is each of our livelihoods, how we make a
living, that unites us in community and responsibility. We hope to
grow out from these diverse watersheds, tops of mountains, wetlands
and coral reefs, from these natural areas new models of sustainable
development from which we can all learn, share and benefit.

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Executive Director

Mary Katherine Williams, Executive Director, has a degree
from Elon University, NC, and has worked in various for and non-profit
settings as supervisors and managers. She has exhibited strong
community service through experience with non-profit organizations
working as victim advocate, program coordinator and board president
with three groups which provide services to survivors of sexual abuse
and domestic violence. Since 1997, Ms. Williams has served as Office
Manager with Forests of the
World, and has worked part-time as The Forest Foundation’s
Executive Director. She currently serves as a member on both the Steering and Wisdom of Women Committees for the Center for Eco-zoic Studies (Chapel Hill, NC). MK also serves as a Steering Committee member for Tourism for Peace (Atlanta, GA).

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Executive Board

Jennifer Albright (MA) — Jennifer Albright grew up in
suburban New York and is an
advocate for better public transit. She practices what she preaches by
traveling from her home in Durham to Chapel Hill on the TTA. With a Master’s degree in
Public Health from the University of Washington in Seattle and a
Nursing Assistant degree from the Durham Community College, she
has spent the last 13 years managing public health research. Jennifer works with a
variety of community based organizations to improve the quality of
life in her neighborhood in Durham.

J. Marc Dreyfors (MEM) — Environmental Management; Co-Founder and currently working as a Manager of Forests of the World (Durham, NC); Board member of Environmental Educators of North Carolina; Steering & Education Committees Member for the Center for Eco-zoic Studies (Chapel Hill, NC).

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Advisory Board

Nina Aly Elsheikh (Ph.D., LMBT) — Biochemist; Licensed Massage Therapist; currently working as an Alternative Health Practitioner (Chapel Hill, NC); Entrepreneur.

Jamey Gerlaugh (BES, MEM) — Engineering; Environmental Management; Co-Founder of Forests of the World (Durham, NC); Founder Roanoke River Partners (Windsor, NC); currently working as an engineer with Verdant Power (Tacoma Park, MD).

Gail Y. Lash (Ph.D.) — Specialist in Eco-tourism; Founder of Ursa International (Atlanta, GA); Founder and CEO - Tourism For Peace (Atlanta, GA); Spiritual Guide and Teacher.

Abigail Rome (MS) — Botany; Author (Silver Spring, MD); active member of The Eco-tourism Society; currently working as a consultant with Conservation International.

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Photos