Rainforest Action Network
Currently, over 80% of the world’s old growth forests have been destroyed and an additional 37.5 million acres of rainforests are felled each year. Even though rainforests only make up a small portion of the world’s total biomass, they house over half of the known species. It is estimated that in these disappearing rainforests, there are still hundreds of millions of plants and animals to be discovered.
Rainforest Action Network (RAN) campaigns for the forests, their inhabitants, and the natural systems that sustain life by transforming the global marketplace through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action. As a Greengrants advisor, RAN uses its wide network of forest-related organizations around the world to bring pressure on the sources of finance of the companies involved in endangering these natural areas. The small grants we provide build groups’ capacity to work locally to protect forests and stop fossil fuel extraction; support Indigenous-led efforts to gain control of and sustainably manage their traditional territories; and link local communities to internationally coordinated campaigns.
Board Priorities
Rainforests and old growth forests
Forest-dependent communities
Ending fossil fuel extraction in critical habitats
Climate justice initiatives
Challenging industrial logging and agribusiness companies
Using consumer pressure and awareness-raising
For more on Rainforest Action Network, visit their website: www.ran.org
Frente de Defensa de la Amazonia
Grant #: 53-998
Amount: $5,000
Country: Ecuador
Focus: EnergyFrente de Defensa de la Amazonia (FDA) is a broad network that works to defend the Ecuadorian Amazon and its peoples from the negative impacts of careless development projects. FDA helps address immediate health needs brought about by the pollution cased by unlined toxic pits left behind by Chevron. Part of this effort involves coordinating efforts to make avaialbe clean water, medical supplies, and treatment for community members to continue to become sick or are dealing with long-term impacts of the pollution.
Green Concern for Development
Grant #: 54-001
Amount: $3,000
Country: Nigeria
Focus: Indigenous PeoplesPAMOL is planning to develop oil plantations in Bakassi, Nigeria, that would deforest 3,000 hectares of land occupied by indigenous peoples and negatively impact mangroves critical to the local fishing economy. Global Greengrants Funds will be used to support Greencode—an environmental and human rights organization—in its efforts to mobilize local communities in opposition to PAMOL Oil Plantation project in Bakassi. Greencode's strategies include workshops and strategy sessions, letter writing, and a media campaign.
Youth Community Biodiversity Initiative
Grant #: 54-002
Amount: $3,000
Country: Uganda
Focus: SustainabilityDeforestation in the Nakisunga area of Uganda has impacted local rain patterns, threatening food security across the district. In response to this threats, the Youth Community Biodiversity Initiative (YCBI) is working to protect and preserve local rainforests and wetlands. With this grant, YCBI will plant trees and reduce deforestation through the education and implementation of energy saving stoves that burn rice husks and coffee. These actions will be implemented in collaboration with 10 schools in the communities through out Nakisunga.
Tracy Solum
Coordinator
Tracy Solum has managed Rainforest Action Network's grassroots grant programs for ten years, and additionally coordinated the organization's Rainforest Heroes education program for several years. Through the Protect-an-Acre program, RAN provides small grants to Indigenous and other forest-based communities to support their efforts to gain control of and sustainably manage their traditional territories. Much of the funding for Protect-an-Acre comes from teachers and young people who help raise money for the program. Prior to joining RAN, Tracy spent a year in Costa Rica writing for an environmental and human rights news journal. Tracy has B.A. degrees in History and International Studies, with a focus on Latin America, from Oregon State University and a certificate in film production from City College of San Francisco.
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Mining Operations Bring Heavy Burdens for Local Communities
Oct, 2011: Mining operations are causing environmental degradation and health problems all over the world. Local groups are challenging poor regulation and holding mining companies accountable for the heavy costs to community health, environment, and society. -
Justice for the Tarahumara People
Aug, 2011: 4,000 acres of indigenous land were illegally sold to developers in northern Mexico. With the help of a savvy grassroots group and a small grant, the indigenous community is seeking justice.