RAINFOREST PARTNERSHIP Annual Report 2010Annual Report 2010Annual Report 2010

Dear Rainforest Partner,

It is now three years since Rainforest Partnership was formed. We have come a long way in that time, working with rainforest communities in Ecuador and Peru to improve their standard of living, maintain-ing a full-time staff with personnel in three countries, attracting thousands of volunteer hours, and pro-tecting thousands of acres of rainforest land from destruction.

Our mission has not changed. Our mission is simple. We believe that the only way to protect the “lungs” of the planet is to help the people who live in those “lungs” have a better standard of living, to grow their economy in harmony with their rainforest.

To accomplish this, we partner with the residents of rainforest communities in Latin America to develop rainforest products: raw materials, finished goods, and services that can be found only in the rainforest. We help to develop the market for these products, elsewhere in Latin America, or in the United States. Sales of these goods and services gives the residents a financial stake in protecting their forests.

Sustainable development helps us all breathe easier.

Now it’s time to take up the other side of the challenge. Rainforest Partnership was founded on the principle that there are businesses, foundations, and people like you who share our dream of sustainable development in harmony with the forest. We’ve learned how to turn the lungs of the earth into real economic opportunities for the people who live there. Now we want to connect our partners in the rainforest with new partners in the United States, fundamentally changing the lives of both.

It is a big challenge, but it is also an exciting challenge. We know that 2011 will be a tremendous year. Become a Rainforest Partner in 2011. Together, we can protect these lungs of the planet for us all.

Sincerely,

Hazel Barbour Niyanta Spelman Board Chair, 2007-10 Executive Director

2010 Board of Directors

& Personnel

About Us

Rainforest Partnership is an international non-profit social enterprise focused on protecting tropical rainforests. We partner with communities in Latin America to help make it more valuable for them to keep their forests standing. By creating a global network—linking people to people, community to community—we act as a catalyst to create long-term economic and environmental sustainability.

Hazel Barbour, Board Chair

Bob Warneke, Board Treasurer Jordan Erdos, Board Secretary Paulina Lewis, Board Member

Bill Talbot, Board Member Niyanta Spelman, Executive Director

Maurine Winkley, Director of Operations Lucia Eslava, Peru Program Coordinator

Daniel Jaso Angulo Rojas, Peru Project Manager Eusebio Alanya Quinoes, Project Coordinator

Many amazing interns and volunteers

Rainforest Par tnership c reates mechanisms for conservation and sustainable use of rainforests in Latin America. The primary threat to rainforests is economic. The communities living in and around rainforests have limited options to earn a livelihood. Historically, many have needed to clear-cut the forests and use the land for pasture, cash crops or logging. Creat ing sus ta inab le economic alternatives to deforestation gives the local communities a stake in preserving their forests. Rainforest Partnership works with each local community to tailor the preservation strategy to the needs, desires, knowledge, skills and culture of the community.

How RP Works

Interview from Quito, Ecuador aired by News 8 Austin

Public Radio Station KUT story about Pampa Hermosa

Articles in: Austin American Statesman

Austin Chronicle

Impact Austin

Asian Austin

2010 RP IN THE NEWS

Second Annual Celebration Dinner

First Annual Films for the Forest Festival

Carnaval for a Cause

Linking People to People at SXSW

Global Giving Green Challenge Happy Hour

RP Holiday Open House

Austin Climate Protection Expo

Austin Green Living Expo

Austin Earth Day festival

Attended many conferences during the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change, COP 16, in Cancun, Mexico

EVENTS IN 2010

PROJECTS IN 2010

After a summer of hard work, the community of After a summer of hard work, the community of

Chipaota completed its new broom production Chipaota completed its new broom production

facility with help from international student facility with help from international student

volunteers.volunteers. The community was previously selling The community was previously selling

the piassaba palm fiber in the local market, but the piassaba palm fiber in the local market, but

with the new facility they are now able to sell and with the new facility they are now able to sell and

market a valuemarket a value--added product.added product. In September, In September,

ECOMUSA, the association of piassaba harvesters, ECOMUSA, the association of piassaba harvesters,

was recognized by the city of Tarapoto and can was recognized by the city of Tarapoto and can

now legally market their finished products.now legally market their finished products. Once Once

the members of the community business were the members of the community business were

trained on how to use the equipment, broom trained on how to use the equipment, broom

production began in October.production began in October. Since then, the Since then, the

broom factory has been running smoothly and broom factory has been running smoothly and

filling orders.filling orders. ECOMUSA is now looking to develop ECOMUSA is now looking to develop

a relationship with the regional government and a relationship with the regional government and

sell brooms that would be used by cleansell brooms that would be used by clean--up up

workers in the area.workers in the area.

CH

I P

A

O

T

A

Broom-making in Chipaota, Peru - Mushuk Llacta de Chipaota is located in the buffer

zone of Cordillera Azul National Park, a biodiversity hotspot in northern Peru. For the 163

families of Chipaota, the primary source of income is now the leaf fibers of the piassaba

palm (Aphandra natalia). The piassaba palm is a 30-foot palm endemic to the area that

produces stiff, wiry fibers used to make brooms; the fibers are sustainably harvested

without harming the trees. Current economic activity focuses on the fibers; other parts of

the tree – leaves, nuts, and even the heartwood – may be an additional source of income

for the community.

Women’s Artisan Project in Chipaota, Peru - Of their own initiative, the women of

Chipaota decided to partner with RP in 2009 to work to develop the Chipaota Artisan

Project. Today, the women use non-timber forest materials to create regionally traditional

handicrafts, such as baskets and hats. This innovative project provides yet another

sustainable income stream to the community of Chipaota.

Rainforest Partnership began working in the Sani Isla community in February of 2010 in Rainforest Partnership began working in the Sani Isla community in February of 2010 in partnership with the Ecuadorian nonprofit partnership with the Ecuadorian nonprofit Conservación y DesarrolloConservación y Desarrollo. The goal was to . The goal was to develop an alternative income stream promoting the recovery of native species in the develop an alternative income stream promoting the recovery of native species in the forest. After months of deliberation, the indigenous Ecuadorian community of Sani Isla forest. After months of deliberation, the indigenous Ecuadorian community of Sani Isla proposed an incomeproposed an income--producing project that featured a traditional woman’s role producing project that featured a traditional woman’s role –– Kichwa Kichwa arts and crafts. In July 2010, the community of Sani Isla finished construction on their arts and crafts. In July 2010, the community of Sani Isla finished construction on their artists’ studio, five months ahead of schedule.artists’ studio, five months ahead of schedule. The community will use theThe community will use the “studio” for “studio” for arts and crafts production, providing women with a place to work together, exchange arts and crafts production, providing women with a place to work together, exchange ideas and experiences, and sell their products to visitors from the nearby ecolodge. ideas and experiences, and sell their products to visitors from the nearby ecolodge.

Kichwa Artisan Studio, July 2010

SANI ISLA, ECUADOR

Kichwa Artisan Project in Sani Isla -

The women of Sani Isla have taken ownership of

the project and for the first time are engaging in

an economic activity. The craft goods use

natural forest products such as seeds and fibers,

which can be grown between rows of cacao on

already cultivated land. Giving the community a

chance to harvest multiple crops from the

cultivated area prevents further deforestation of

community-owned land. The artisan group built

a nursery to grow plant species traditionally

used for making arts and crafts – this way the

women can make products from the forest, but

do so in a sustainable way. They have planted

over 2,000 plants in the nursery and on their

individual family plots.

Calabaza, September 2010

Pampa Hermosa exhibited widespread deforestation, with many communities cutting down the forest in order to plant crops or create pastureland. In 2009, the San Antonio and Calabaza communities took action to conserve the cloudforest by

prohibiting butterfly and orchid collection, bird and bear hunting, and forest burning and cutting. By doing so, the communities created the opportunity for an

“ecotravel” destination. Rainforest Partnership worked with the communities in 2010 to develop infrastructure to support ecotourism, including initiating a

campaign to clean up the community, repainting many buildings, creating trails, adopting hygienic cooking practices, and starting waste management and collection programs. In 2011, RP will help create a basic ecolodge in Calabaza and a hostel in

San Antonio that will be a great spot for backpackers and birders.

PAMPA HERMOSA, PERU

Birdwatching in Pampa Hermosa -

Birdwatching is an exciting potential economic

opportunity in the Pampa Hermosa district. The

first group of birdwatchers travelled to Pampa

Hermosa in 2010 and stayed in the temporary

hostel in Calabaza. During their stay, they saw

many rare birds endemic just to this region. In all

of Peru, the endemic Eye-ringed thistletail species

is only found in the bamboo patches of this area.

There are additionally an undescribed species of

Tapaculo, a distinct species of Rufous Antpitta, and

the endemic Fiery–throated Thistletail. In Pampa

Hermosa there are at least two areas with Cock of

the Rock lek (mating dance) within short hiking

distances. The area also has easily accessible

waterfalls and a wide variety of butterflies and

orchids.

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE

1.1. Forging collaborative partnerships that connect our partners in Forging collaborative partnerships that connect our partners in the rainforest with new partners in the US and beyondthe rainforest with new partners in the US and beyond

2.2. Creating a replicable model based on the Sani Isla project to Creating a replicable model based on the Sani Isla project to be implemented with other communitiesbe implemented with other communities

3.3. Developing projects to harvest nonDeveloping projects to harvest non--timber products of the timber products of the forest that have natural marketsforest that have natural markets

4.4. Implementing a forest monitoring program that uses both GIS Implementing a forest monitoring program that uses both GIS capabilities and oncapabilities and on--thethe--ground measurementsground measurements

5.5. Expanding to an international Board of DirectorsExpanding to an international Board of Directors

6.6. Increasing participation and awareness through Films for the Increasing participation and awareness through Films for the ForestForest

TIMELINE

Year OneYear One

Year ThreeYear Three

RP founded in December 2007

ED and Board Members visit five target countries

Received US IRS 501(c)(3) designation

Established an endowment

First Project funded in Peru

Established partnership with Ecuadorian Nonprofit

First RP fundraising event

Ten volunteers and four interns help RP

Initiated artisan project and community-owned business in Chipaota

Received donated office, equipment and supplies

Added Director of Operations

Conserved 9,000 acres of forest

First Project Management Plan approved, first of its kind in Peru

Raised $34,000 from first annual celebration event

Participated in Copenhagen during COP15

Two projects initiated for three communities in Peru and Ecuador

Received first funding from family foundation; followed by a second family foundation grant

First Films for the Forest Festival receives submissions from four continents

First partner community in Chipaota, Peru now producing value-added products

First US-based project partnership, with Nourish International - sent volunteers and funds to Peru

Participated in multiple parallel conferences in Cancun during COP 16

Forty four volunteers, eighteen interns and five full-time personnel support RP

Raised over $136,000; in-kind donations of over $250,000

Year TwoYear Two

2010 FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

In‐Kind Contributions 2010

Total Income by Category 2010

Income Foundations $ 30,000 Individual Donors $ 66,561 Fundraising Events $ 43,123 In-kind contributions $ 246,080

Investment Income $ 2,179 Total Income $ 387,943 Actual Expenses Administrative Expenses

Bank Charges $ 1,669 Conference and Meetings $ 1,076 Depreciation $ 2,917 Insurance $ 442 Information Technology $ 1,194 Marketing $ 2,017 Office Expenses $ 817 Printing & Postage $ 357 Professional Fees $ 29,920 Travel $ 5,938 Volunteer & Intern Expenses $ 2,621 Utilities $ 2,985

Total Actual Administrative Expenses $ 51,953

Project Expenses Program Coordinator $ 10,227 Chipaota Project $ 23,221 Sani Isla Project $ 15,286 Pampa Hermosa Project $ 3,008 Outreach $ 2,009

Total Project Costs $ 53,751 In-kind expenses $ 222,925

Total Expenses $ 328,629 NET INCOME 2010 $ 59,314

Foundations

Individual Donors

In‐kind contributions

Fundraising Events

Investment Income

Professional services

Fundraising

Interns

Marketing

Office supplies

Office utilitiesRent

Travel

Furniture & IT

Rainforest Partnership Thanks All of our Contributors in 2010

Piassaba: $100-$499 Caoba : $10,000+

Shield-Ayres Foundation Sheridan Lorenz

Tomberg Family Philanthropies

Cedro: $2,500-$10,000

Accelerator Holdings, LLC Anonymous Anonymous

dynaConnections Corporation Eya Productions

Ipê: $1,000-$2,499

Amber Sprague Anonymous Anonymous

Bob and Jean Warneke Borge Endresen

Brown McCarroll, LLP Chinatown Center Colgate University

Detour Filmproduction Inc. Hazel Barbour

JoAnna and Mike Troppy Lili Besson

Nikelle Meade NRG Energy Perry Lorenz Ronald Erdos Tracy Lyman

Estoraque: $500-$999

Alice Glasco Consulting Allensworth & Porter

Anita McKenna Barry & Loewy LLP

Bobby Inman Bruce Wedderburn

Celina Romero Charlie Boswell

Charlotte Herzele Cindy & Bob Liverman

Denise Rayborn Drenner & Golden Stuart Wolff

Frank Lam Groove Tickets

Hejl, Lee & Associates Hill Country Outdoors

Jasiel and Ronan Spelman Jay Reddy

John Doggett Linda & Nick Van Bavel

Lisa Lin Lowerre, Frederick, Perales,

Allmon & Rockwell MWM Design Group

Raymond Chan & Associates Susan Moffat and Nick Barbaro

Via Consulting, LLC Victoria Li

Winkley Engineering

Adrian Reyna Adrienne Inglis Aileen Hooks Alex Coke Alissa Schram Aman Bandali Ann Kitchen & Mark Yznaga Arjita Shrimali Art Eerdmans Bob Gentry Bradley Scott Brenda Clayton Brian Allen Carmen Canann Carol & Tom Winkley Carol & Amon Burton Cate & William Tschumy Cathy Echols & Steve Piche Charles & Shaya Zucker Charlotte Herzele Chris Greta Chris Riley Christopher Johnson Clark Lyda Craig Bernardini Craig Pederson Cindy Evans & Jon Powell Cynthia Lynn & Derrick Schaefer Cynthia Ruff Dominic & Shafeeqa Giarratani Dana Sprute & Michael Osborne Danette Chimenti David Adelman David Papas David Parker Diana Weihs Fred Wickens Garron Guszak

Ed Newbold Eileen Keller Frank Davis

George Chang George Talbot

Gold Party Global LLC Gopal & Vasu Guthikonda

Greg Jackson Gregg Krumme Helio Ostrovsky

Ian Steusloff Illinois Tool Works Foundation

James Holmes James Jimmerson Janice Matthews Janice Spelman

Jaqueline & Craig Murphy Jeffrey Smith

Jenny & Frank Davis Jinhua Li

Jo Ann Procacci Joan Williams Jody Slagle Joe Church John Cash

John Gibbs Living John-David Penn

Jonathan Kleinman Jordan Erdos

Judi & Ivan Nelson Karen & Mike Blizzard

Kim Harkness Kim & Dave Mitamura

Kurt Koegler Lacey Warren Lars Engblom

Lawrence Aldridge Leslie Pool

Linda & Daniel Richards Lisa Harris

Louis Malfaro Madeleine Egger Marcel Holyoak Marcia Zwilling

Margaret & Joel Kenty

Marion Lee Marisa Perales Martha Smiley

Martha Terry Mary Howerton

Matt Curtis Melanie McAfee Melissa Leggett

Melita Elmore Michael Galante Michael Sherrod

Min-Chow Hew & Wan-Yu Chan

Monica Lund Muyuan (Mike) Ma

Nina Fantl Norma Van Horn

Pauline Lewis Penny Potter Raj Abraham

Reni Erdos Robbie & Tom Ausley

Robena Jackson & John Whitfield

Robert Eby Robert Huang

Ronald Holmes Roy Mann

Ruth Buskirk Sam Chen

Sam Planta Sara & Colin Clark

Sara Gupta Sara Koeninger

Sean Kelly Sharon Hall

Sherri Greenberg Sunny & Rob Kientz

Teresa & John Harris Tom Pavlik

Tony Browning Tyler Joyner

Vicki Ainsworth William Tamminga

In-Kind Donors: $500+ Armbrust &

Brown Barr Mansion

Copa Bar & Grill Hot Mama’s Cafe

Kay & Bobby Gregory

Perry Lorenz

Pirkey Barber LLP Redxlerant

Rio’s Brazilian Salesforce.com

Sao Paulo’s Restaurant

Sweetish Hill TOPS

We want to recognize, acknowledge and thank all of our supporters to date – everyone who has given us time, services, donations, our angel donors and foundations that made this possible.

We owe our greatest debt to our founding Board of Directors (pictured above) and Bill Talbot who joined the Board in 2009. They took the time to plan, direct and mold an organization capable of starting four projects in three communi-ties in two countries – in only three years. We are grateful for their guidance, vision, passion and dedication. Whatever Rainforest Partnership accomplishes in the next three years will rest on the foundation laid by our Board in the first three.

Part of our tremendous success was due to the 44 volunteers and 18 interns who worked so hard for us in 2010. With-out the dedication of our volunteer staff, we could never have implemented the projects you’ve seen described in this Annual Report.

Director of Operations Maurine Winkley, Executive Director Niyanta Spelman, and Founding Board Members Bob Warneke, Hazel Barbour, Jordan Erdos, and Pauline Lewis.

A Huge Thank You to Our Partners

Thank you to our interns and volunteers for all the help in 2010!!

Volunteers

Alex Vlahodimitropoulos Alissa Schram

Amber Sprague Barbara Garza

Daniel Reyes Dolly Shiu

Elise McCollum Evert Keller

Jay Gaskin Josh Rosenquist

Judith Clarkson Leo Bayer

Meredith Planta Michael Stanley

Oscar Rousset Penny Potter

Rashmi Vailaya Robert Crump

Sanjeev Dhir Selena Xie

Tiffany Harelik Katie Beilharz

Marisa Grijalva Mark Morrow

Marisa Perales Rob Richardson

Alese Colehour April O’Farrel

Bill Spelman Cambria Wallace

Carmen Canann Ellen Simonetti

Erin Wolf Kalyn Alejo

Laurie Felker Jones Rachelle McKinney

Sangeeta Nandi

Interns

Anna Trela

Brandon Karam

Devin Royer

Evelyn Ostrovsky

Hallie Brant

Katie Drell

Lauren Oertel

Maia Holmes

Megan Brown

Molly Mulloy

Patricio Prieto

Sarah Fiorenza

Anna Scodel

Eric Lyman

Emily Glickman

Hannah Lewis

Kat Wilson

Kyyla Meade

Mallory Garrison

Marissa Laflin

Reed Coke

Photographs by Martin Edström, Timothy Hawkins and Rainforest Partnership Staff