MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING. Rainforest Trust. 10:00-12:41 PM, Wednesday October 22, 2014 Leslie Danoff s home in NYC

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1 MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING Rainforest Trust 10:00-12:41 PM, Wednesday October 22, 2014 Leslie Danoff s home in NYC Board Members present: Board Members absent: Staff Present: John Mitchell (Chair), Sally Davidson (Treasurer), Leslie Danoff, Dr. Gerard Bertrand (Vice-chair, phone), Dr. Nancy Weiss (phone), Jeff Mundy (phone), Robert Giles (phone), Melissa Trotter (phone), Jeffrey Zack (phone), and Brett Byers (phone). Dr. Wayt Thomas (Secretary), Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, Sommer Chatwin, and Edith McBean. Dr. Paul Salaman (CEO), Dr. Robert Ridgely (President), Malissa Cadwallader (COO) 1. Approval of Minutes The Board unanimously approved the Minutes from July 19, Institutional and administrative matters The CEO presented a brief update on progress in the past three months since the July Board meeting, including a total of 47,640 acres having been protected by Rainforest Trust partners to date in 2014 and excellent progress on fundraising and communication activities. The financial report showed that we are tracking our expenditure closely and we are well below the 2014 approved budget, including just 6% of expenses related to operating costs (admin, communications and development). The CEO and COO anticipate that we will meet our annual fundraising goal of $4.8 million. 3. Proposed projects reviewed by the Board The CEO presented two new proposed projects for the Board s consideration. Proposal 1: Protection for the 159,000 acre Sierra Santa Cruz of Guatemala Proposal 2: Establishment of a new National Park to protect the 63,838 acre Atewa forests of Ghana Proposal 1: Protection for the 159,000 acre Sierra Santa Cruz of Guatemala Sierra Santa Cruz is the single largest forest remnant in Caribbean Guatemala, and is a vital link in the Caribbean Rainforest Corridor of Mesoamerica. It is also the last unprotected rainforest in the region, and a main conservation gap in Guatemala and the Gulf of Honduras region. Its declaration is urgent and vital, particularly in a context of increasing pressures from encroachment of subsistence agriculture, expansion of cattle ranching and oil palm plantations, and extension of mining exploration licenses throughout the country by the last two administrations During its first phase (which will last one year) this project will support the final stages of the legal and technical effort to achieve its Declaration as a National Protected Area by Congress finalization of community consultations and drafting of a Consultation Report; finalization of the Technical Studies and submission to CONAP; and drafting of a legal decree and submission to the National Congress. During the first phase, a participatory land-use planning effort will also be carried out, in order to identify and promote sustainable agro-forestry systems that will support incomes for local communities while at the same time enhancing habitats in degraded or deforested areas. During its second phase (which will last for two years), the project will support initial protection and management activities in Sierra Santa Cruz, using the final Zoning Plan (submitted to Congress in the draft legislation) as a guideline for land October 22, 2014 Board Agenda 1

2 management across the region. Protection efforts will concentrate in proposed Core or full protection zones, and community outreach and sustainable development interventions will focus on key communities that are threatening or encroaching on the largest contiguous forests within the proposed Reserve, using the guidelines of the land-use plans developed in Phase 1. A total request of $215,000 is sought over three years to protect 159,000 acres and many threatened species, including Craugastor trachydermus CR (endemic to Sierra Santa Cruz); Tapirus bairdii EN; Ptychohyla santaecrucis CR (endemic to Sierra Santa Cruz); Eleutherodactylus leprus VU; and Setophaga cerulea VU. Melissa Trotter put forth the motion that the Board approves support for proposed project in Guatemala by FUNDEACO; to protect 159,000 acres in the Sierra Santa Cruz of Guatemala with $215,000 over three years. The Board voted unanimously to support the proposal. Proposal 2: Establishment of a new National Park to protect the 63,838 acre Atewa forests of Ghana. The Atewa Range forest lies around 100km north of Ghana s capital city Accra, and with an area of just under 63,840 acres, it represents 75% of the remaining Upland Evergreen forest habitat type in Ghana. The area is the headwater for three major rivers (Densu, Birim and Ayensu)- a potable water source for millions of Ghanaians people (including 60% of Accra s population). Because the Atewa Range contains bauxite deposits, commercial mining companies have been granted prospecting licenses for its potential exploitation. If this were to happen, it would be an environmental disaster. The current legal status of the forest as forest reserve (reserved for exploitation) is insufficient to prevent these threats. The project s aim is to lift Atewa s status from a forest reserve to a national park to provide a proper legal basis for its protection and to secure the necessary funds for its management. If the area is converted to a national park, one can expect the situation to be markedly improved as Ghana has an excellent track record in managing protected areas (see here). The Ghanaian government is supportive of the plan on the condition that funding to establish and run the protected area can be sourced. Other stakeholders including the traditional authorities in the region, local communities, local and international NGOs, academic institutions and foreign governments, have all recognized the importance of Atewa and are supportive of the initiative to declare it a national park, as evidenced by the communiqué issued following an international summit on Atewa at in November Extensive community outreach work will be required to foster broad based support for the project. A total of $254,000 protects 63,840 acres to save many threatened species: Togo Slippery Frog (Conraua derooi) (CR); Bobiri Reed Frog (Hyperolius bobirensis) (EN); Phrynobatrachus ghanensis (EN); Geoffroy's Pied Colobus (Colobus vellerosus) (VU); Atewa Dotted Border (Mylothris atewa) (VU); Olive Colobus (Procolobus verus) (NT) Leslie Danoff put forth the motion that the Board approves support for the establishment of the Atewa National Park with $189,000 to the Ghana Wildlife Society. The Board voted unanimously to support the proposal, with Brett Buyers and Gerard Bertrand abstaining stating conflict of issue reasons with one of the project partners involved. 4. Subcommittee Reports The Board reviewed the Finance and Audit Subcommittee dated September 25, 2014 by Sally Davidson and Robert Giles with Patricia Munoz and Paul Salaman. The report was positive and recommendations made in previous meetings had been instigated and met with approval. The Board also reviewed the Investment Committee Report on Rainforest Legacy Fund dated October 12, 2014 by Brett Byers and Robert Giles. Both members had been very active on managing the endowment funds from Craig Damuth. October 22, 2014 Board Agenda 2

3 5. Review the Rainforest Trust 2020 Strategic Plan After Board review on July 19, 2014 and after further discussion, Leslie Danoff motioned the approval of the 2020 strategic plan as a living document which will be periodically reviewed as required and subject to changes, but giving us a vision going forward that enables us and our donors to see where we are and where we are going. The 2020 Strategic Plan is as follows: Mission Statement Rainforest Trust purchases and protects the most threatened tropical forests, saving endangered wildlife through partnerships and community engagement. Values Statement Rainforest Trust recognizes the inherent value of the world s tropical biodiversity and is committed to ensuring its survival. Effectiveness We will uphold our longstanding tradition of achieving tangible results through the strategic purchase and protection of the world s most threatened rainforests and tropical habitats. Efficiency We will continue to be one of the most cost-efficient nonprofit conservation organizations in the United States. Sustainability We will ensure the future of our projects with local partners through proper management, controls, and monitoring as well as community engagement to achieve long-term protection. Collaboration We collaborate with a worldwide alliance of trusted partners at the local, national, and international levels. Integrity We will interact with all of our partners, donors, and employees with respect and honesty. Accountability We uphold strict standards of transparency and carefully steward all contributions entrusted to Rainforest Trust. Enthusiasm We have a passion for conservation and a dedication to the mission of Rainforest Trust. Conservation Strategy Goal 1: By 2020, reach 20 million protected acres of critical rainforest and other tropical habitats that target endangered species. Target: Establish 20 new nature reserves through strategic land acquisitions and 15 new protected areas through governmental designations that protect critical tropical ecosystems inhabited by endangered species. Goal 2: Increase the number of local partners in our global alliance by 25% each year. Target: By 2020, establish a partnership of 35 national and local partners undertaking protected area establishment and management. Goal 3: Provide support to local partners to ensure the long-term sustainability of all protected areas. Target: Ensure the targeted 20 million acres of critical habitat protected is being effectively managed and that each PA has a 0% deforestation rate. Goal 4: Broaden our public outreach to increase awareness of Rainforest Trust projects to the US and international community. Target: By 2020, engage 1,000 schools annually in the Rainforest Ambassadors Program that educates and motivates youth to embrace rainforest and initiate fundraising projects. Development Strategy Development Vision: To purchase and protect 20 million acres of threatened rainforests and wildlife habitat by 2020, Rainforest Trust must inspire financial support from a committed and growing network of donors. Our donors are essential to our conservation success. We will continue to build upon this October 22, 2014 Board Agenda 3

4 strength by working to quadruple our donor base to more than 10,000 active contributors by Growing and maintaining our outstanding network of engaged supporters with a combination of committed major contributors and a principal membership base is critical. To ensure long-term sustainability of the organization, Rainforest Trust must significantly expand the Legacy Circle of planned giving bequests as well as the Rainforest Endowment program. Armed with our effective conservation strategy and with nearly 8 million acres saved since 1988, Rainforest Trust will continue to encourage additional support from foundations and corporations. Goal 1: Expand Our Outstanding Network of Engaged Supporters Rainforest Trust will encourage our growing network of supporters by working to quadruple our donor base from 2,500 active supporters in 2013 to 10,000 active supporters by 2020 via ongoing outreach efforts in social media, news releases, project updates and special events. Our strategy will focus on identification, cultivation, and stewardship of current individual donors and prospects. Goal 2: Build Our Planned Giving Legacy Circle and the Rainforest Endowment Program To ensure the long-term sustainability of our project sites and our ongoing conservation work, Rainforest Trust will seek to strengthen our Legacy Circle of planned giving bequests as well as the Rainforest Endowment Program. Goal 3: Encouraging Foundation Support While maintaining our current foundation relationships with ongoing project reports and updates, Rainforest Trust will focus on reaching out to new foundations for grant support to fund our critical conservation work. Goal 4: Partnering with the Private Sector Rainforest Trust will focus on identifying new corporate partnerships that enhance our public recognition and credibility while funding projects and providing in-kind gifts to partners at project sites. Communications Strategy Communications Vision: Rainforest Trust Communications is responsible for building, managing and protecting the organization s brand and public image in order to raise awareness. We do this through creative, engaging, cost-effective, timely and integrated communications across multiple platforms and channels, including the web, traditional media, social media, marketing and advertising. Goal 1: Rainforest Trust s mission will be promoted to increase visibility and expand reach and range of supporters, including smaller donors. Goal 2: Rainforest Trust will increase its competitiveness among emerging audiences by assuming a proactive role in adopting digital technologies. Goal 3: Rainforest Trust will educate and inspire donors by increasing quantity and quality of Rainforest Trust reporting. Goal 4: Rainforest Trust will connect with supporters by developing and implementing effective marketing strategies. October 22, 2014 Board Agenda 4

5 5. Other matters: Bylaws: The Board discussed further the process by which to start revising the Bylaws following recommendations by staff on July 19, especially as the organization is growing fast and issues like term limits, minimum financial support and formalizing the council need to be considered. The Chairman requested that a subcommittee be formed to provide suggestions to the Board on proposed bylaw changes. Nancy Weiss, Brett Byers, Jeff Mundy and Gerard Bertrand volunteered to help, with the aim to have suggestions for early January 2015 in preparation for discussions during the February Board meeting. Date of Next meetings: Tues 24th Feb to Sunday 1st March 2015 SPRING: May FALL dates (PENDING) October Meeting closed at 12:41 PM October 22, 2014 Board Agenda 5