Those that do not learn from history are bound to repeat it. As we reflect proudly on our past at the Rainforest Alliance, we find ourselves inspired and activated by the possibilities of the future. What does 35 years of the Rainforest Alliance mean? What will the future hold for us and our home on earth? We asked Caroline Bernal-Silva, Director of Philanthropy what this milestone means to her. Here is one fundraiser’s musing…
The Rainforest Alliance invites you to join in the celebration of our 35th anniversary. All year long, we’ll be amplifying the voices of our allies around the world—the farmers, forest communities, scientists, corporate executives, and nonprofit leaders who work with us to protect the planet and our entire global family. Read, watch, and share their memorable tales, and help us tell new success stories by continuing to support our work.
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Leading up to this anniversary, we spent many a month deciding how to properly reflect on and celebrate this incredible milestone. As others brainstormed around me, I kept coming back to one word: home. As a mom of a 4-month-old, I have a newfound and heightened awareness that we have inherited the planet from those who came before, and that we will leave it to those who follow. As I write on my front porch, I cannot help but reflect on how nature comforts and sustains us, just as a good parent does. But it also teaches us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, an interconnected web of life. We need each other to thrive.
The way I see it, whether we live in a city or on a farm, in the woods or by the sea, the Earth is our ultimate home—one we share with every living being. This home nurtures us, and we revel in its beauty and generosity. A tropical forest’s kaleidoscope of color. The laughter of a child playing in the rain. The stillness of an ancient tree, its silence punctuated only by birdsong. Our existence is interconnected, and if we want the planet to sustain us, we must protect it in return. This includes advancing the well-being and livelihoods of all our family members, especially those who cultivate the land and protect the natural world. That is why the Rainforest Alliance works tirelessly to advance the rights of rural communities around the globe.
The next decade will be absolutely crucial for protecting our planet against climate change, and stopping—and even reversing—biodiversity loss. By 2030, we envision a future where the world’s most important landscapes are stewarded by thriving farming and forest communities, who are at the root of our collective strength.
The magic of our work comes from this powerful global alliance. Standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies, we have improved living and working conditions for millions of people in 70 countries; boosted the livelihoods of farmers and community forestry businesses; and helped to enhance the management of more than 10 million hectares of land around the world. But there is still much more to be done.
A hurdle we face now is funding to accelerate our work at the scale necessary to halt climate change. But, together, we can deepen, accelerate, and scale our collective impact. With our deep expertise and strong partnerships, the Rainforest Alliance is well-positioned to regenerate landscapes and transform broken systems. As we embark on our 35th year, we invite you to join us at this critical moment with a donation to protect the planet and our entire global family. With your support, we will keep our shared home healthy and thriving for generations to come.
Caroline Bernal-Silva
Director, Philanthropy