Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation

To provide capacity-building funds and support for a collaboration between Mexican-based International Renewable Resources Institute (IRRI) and its U.S.-based partner organization, Solar Energy International.  Solar Energy International (SEI), a U.S.-based organization with a home base in Colorado, will act as fiscal sponsor and collaborative partner with IRRI in Mexico. IRRI has hired Alex Eaton as its full time Executive Director to be based in Mexico City.  SEI will work with IRRI as its Mexican affiliate organization, offering its portfolio of renewable energy installation course curriculum and trainings while at the same time expanding its base of contacts in Mexico. IRRI offers training courses and workshops for professionals, decision makers, government agency personnel, college students, and community members on renewable energy and water management in Mexico. Alex will spend the bulk of his time in the coming year implementing plans for the courses and workshops that IRRI will offer, both in partnership with SEI and on its own.

To continue funding for Will Yandik on the Science Links Carbon Project with the Hubbard Brook Research Foundation (HBRF), allowing Will to complete the policy and outreach components of the project.  This grant will extend Will's position to allow for completion of project deliverables from the first year's grant. The Science Links Carbon Project is a collaborative effort headed by HBRF with a national team of scientists working to develop standardized methods for calculating carbon sources and sinks in the northeastern U.S. The main goal of the Carbon Project has been the development and implementation of a carbon calculator to be used at the regional and county level to help states and municipalities compare and contrast various regulatory scenarios pertaining to carbon emissions. Will uses his journalism and ecological science background to coordinate the outreach and media plans, translating carbon science to the public.

o continue Amy’s position as a Research Fellow with the Pinchot Institute, focusing on reforestation ecology and community forest-based economic development in Esmeraldas Province in Ecuador.  Amy received a Leadership Grant last year to work with the Pinchot Institute for Conservation in the Choco forest region of Ecuador. This second year of funding will allow Amy to continue the groundwork she laid in the first year on the forestry work, as well as adding new commitments to the community aspects of the project. This second year will focus on continued work with forest seedling research, completion of forest-type mapping, and working with her local community to develop technology and funding for increased efficiencies in cacao production.

To provide continued support for Andrea Johnson in her new role as Director of Forest Campaigns, having primary responsibility for the overall direction and management of the the Environmental Investigation Agency's worldwide Forest Campaigns work.  This second year of funding will support Andrea as Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) focuses on the implementation of the much lauded passage in May 2008 of the amendment to the U.S. Lacey Act. This Act made it illegal to import or trade illegally logged timber and wood products to the U.S. EIA was instrumental in the passage of the law. Much of Andrea’s time as Director of Forest Campaigns will be focused on working with the coalition of partner organizations, government agencies, and companies involved in international forest policy and trade as EIA moves to educate people around the world about the Lacey Act and its provisions (including the companies who will now be regulated).