The “campus” for this program is Earth Train’s facility in Panama, including 925 acres of pasture and elevated tropical rainforest adjacent to the protected primary forests of Kuna Yala, the semi-autonomous province of the Kuna people. Earth Train is partnering with the Institute for Global Leadership at Tufts University, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), the Kuna environmental organization, PEMASKY and other NGOs in a variety of down-to-earth projects related to sustainable agriculture, livelihood, culture and ecology. The lead partner for research and education in the biological sciences is Conservation through Research Education and Action (CREA). Youth from abroad, from indigenous communities, and from around Panama will have a choice of learning opportunities, ranging from 30-day “intensives” to one semester and one year assignments.

• Created new promotional materials: brochure, business cards, DVD
• Revised Earth Train’s web site
• Presented at college campuses
• Identified cultural and institutional partners and events in the US and Panama that would provide exposure and publicity for Earth Train
• Cultivated and energized new and past Earth Train constituencies and community support

Fundraising

• Prospected for high-end donors to Earth Train’s Forest Guardian Fund, willing to commit $100,000
• Organized and presented at donor meetings in US and Panama
• Executed 3 special events, in New York, San Francisco and Martha’s Vineyard (click on news and events)
• Coordinated an end-of-year appeal with phone follow up
• Explored corporate and foundation partnerships in the US and Panama

Organizational Development

• Conducted strategy meetings with staff
• Coached staff members individually and as a group
• Coordinated volunteers
• Supported student participants
• Consulted with board members