The Forest Foundation, Inc.

“We were really impressed by the EcoJustice Festival in Raleigh,” states MK Williams, The Foundation’s Executive Director. This event was conducted by Bob Rodriguez and was the best collection of alternative future organizations in the Triangle TFF has seen to date in the area, coving all basis of daily consumption and spirituality. “Kind of like the Green Festival but local, it was brilliant,” the Foundation’s President, Marc Dreyfors stated emphatically. “Combined with Frank De Pasquals Handbook for Churches and a curriculum, the EcoJustice Fair needs to go on the road.” (UNC Fair Trade Event sponsored by PATCH)

Mr. Dreyfors also presented at a UNC-CH weeklong Fair Trade festival, Duke’s Conference on International Trade, People’s Alliance May Day panel discussion and participated in the Nicholas School at Duke’s Alumni Council Meeting. It was a major “work-out” for TFF’s staff, but well worth it. The weather was beautiful all days and it was a great opportunity to interact with students, faculty, staff and a host of other progressive organizations in our region. (UNCG Earth Day Event)

Duke’s event was hosted by the Environmental Internship Fund (EIF), a group of students raising money to provide stipends for summer internships for environmental students. TFF talked with numerous students and community members and handed out lots of literature on fair trade, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. At this years’ event, TFF hand ed out literature on alternative fuel and its biodiesel project. “What’s amazing to me,” commented TFF’s President “is how some students are so ‘in tune’ with these issues, yet many, as educated as they are, don’t have a clue of their seriousness and pressing need for a revolution in our actions. Curriculum must be integrated across the campus with the principals of sustainable livelihoods. Every student leaving the university has to be exposed to these ideas and learn to embody them in their daily practices.”

UNC’s event the following week was sponsored by the Student Environmental Action Coalition, SEAC, and had a great diversity of organizations represented, though with more student involvement than Duke. But by far, UNC Greensboro had the best event with great bands. Venders and booths covered a wide range of issues, truly representing how environmental sustainability affects us all. The Haw River River Festival was a great success thanks to the volunteer help of Gywnne and Keith Esch (and their kids). Future events include: the Eno Festival in Durham, and the Green Festival in Washington.

For more information about The Forest Foundation, please contact The Forest Foundation at (919)957-1505 or e-mail info@theforestfoundation.org.