On rainforest-protection gifts

24 Nov 2008

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Dear Umbra,

This year for Christmas, I want to buy hectares of rainforest for some of my in-laws instead of the usual gift items that may end up in someone's closet and forgotten, if not regifted. How do organizations that protect rainforests in this way operate, and how do I know a high percentage of my investment isn't going toward administrative costs? Can you recommend a worthwhile program of this nature?

Nancy
Holden, Mass.

Dearest Nancy,

Clever -- a gift so large it won't fit in the closet. It may be forgotten, though, since no one is going to accidentally come across their hectare of rainforest while searching for a lost wingtip.

This year, make someone hoppy.

It would be unfair and irresponsible of me to recommend a rainforest adoption program, to start at the end of your question. Several large nonprofits operate adoption programs, and there must be a canopy full of small groups out there raising money for land preservation. I can't play favorites, but I can give you some sense of how the groups work, and some ideas for finding one with which you feel comfortable.

Basically, there are at least two models that U.S. nonprofits pursuing this work use: The first is to purchase land outright; the second is to give the money to local partner organizations, who then purchase the land. I spoke with a staffer at one program who emphasized that land purchase is only one component of forest preservation. Stewardship, including protection against poaching or other illegal activities, is an ongoing aspect of rainforest conservation. Although methods for rainforest rescue vary amongst nonprofits, all reputable groups should have strong, ongoing relationships with local organizations and local communities, and participate in post-purchase land care.

Ask Umbra continues below

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One type of "adoption" uses raised funds for land purchase and the costs associated with land ownership and preservation, such as hiring rangers, maintaining ranger buildings, area economic development, and environmental education. I think this style of support is common, and the organization with which I spoke operates this way, raising funds and sending them twice yearly to their local partners. I found another organization that operates differently, funding indigenous groups through a system of small-scale grants.

A reputable organization should be aware of donors' concerns about where the money goes and address them on their website and in paper propaganda. They should anticipate your questions, in other words, because they are established and experienced. As I mentioned in last year's column on charitable giving, Charity Navigator is a third-party place to look into an organization's budget and compare overhead costs with program costs (though it doesn't rate private charities). Don't hesitate to call the organization and ask your specific question about how much of your donation will fund the rainforest projects. If they can't answer, move on to someone else.

I haven't touched on why one would donate funds to a rainforest protection program. Suffice to say rainforests are amazing, they are being rapidly destroyed, and the implications are terrifying.

Buoyantly,
Umbra

Yours is to wonder why, hers is to answer (or try). Please send Umbra any nagging question pertaining to the environment -- but first check out her FAQs!

The claims made in this column may not reflect the views of this magazine. Neither the magazine nor the author guarantees that any advice contained in this column is wise or safe. Please use this column at your own risk.

Umbra Fisk is Grist Research Associate II, Hardcover and Periodicals Unit, floors 2B-4B.

Comments: (6 comments)

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It's not unfair; which have you vetted?

It would be unfair and irresponsible of me to recommend a rainforest adoption program...

I'd disagree. If you've vetted a program so that you're happy enough with it (and, alternately, vetted some and eliminated them), no reason not to share that work with the rest of it. I'd be comfortable assuming most Grist readers can decide which are worth their cash without being unduly influenced, and if they are influenced, well, there's a reason this is called, "Ask Umbra". We're clicking through for your opinion.

Don't shirk! About the only reason I can think of for not recommending one or three, even unofficially, would be to ensure you don't annoy potential Grist sponsors. Is Grist really that easily influenced? Ouch. T-Shirt selling time, I guess.

by rufwork at 9:23 AM on 24 Nov 2008

Umbra can't recommend an adoption program...

... but I can.

The Nature Conservancy Adopt-an-Acre.

Also check out The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign to reforest the Atlantic Forest, one of the worlds most endangered ecosystems.

by river2sea72 at 10:29 AM on 24 Nov 2008

Faux Gift Giving

I have a problem with this "gift" giving strategy. Don't get me wrong - for the most part I think we all have too many things and I know I need nothing from anyone for Christmas except their love. And I hate having to get something for someone just because it is expected. However, I hate it when someone decides to do something like this and calls it giving a gift. If the "receiver" is someone that would prefer this type of gift, then that's fine (I happen to be one of those people). Just make sure it's an organization to which they would like to contribute or one of which they approve and that it's not just YOUR favorite charity.

And by all means do make a donation but don't justify it by saying it is someone's gift - just say "I didn't get gifts for anyone this year because I thought my money would be better spent on doing good, etc...." and then give handmade gifts or baked goods so you can still have the fun of giving and getting.

by kayakpatty at 12:12 PM on 24 Nov 2008

I Recommend GlobalGiving.org

Hi Nancy,

Check out Global Giving (www.globalgiving.org). It serves as a global "marketplace" for supporting local community development and conservation projects around the world. I'm sure you can find one that involves protecting biodiverse land or forests. One of the best things about these windows is that you're connecting directly to the local organizations who are implementing the work - not going through large organizations with their own overhead costs. Global Giving's lean headquarters also vets all projects for due diligence.

Kiva (www.kiva.org) is a similar option!

by mjl36 at 2:49 PM on 24 Nov 2008

how about keeping it local?

I'm all for this type of gift-giving; note-cards and fancy soaps are so cliche--
I understand that the rainforest needs preservation, truly I do, but I'm afraid that it becomes a feel-good out-of-sight,out-of-mind type of gesture. If you're really interested in where your money is being used, why not research a LOCAL land-preservation program? In my neighborhood we're lucky to have an outstanding non-profit dedicated to land preservation. A wonderful follow-up to your donation might be to make a date with your 'gift-ee' to volunteer with said organization- to do trail maintainance, restoration, and the like.
What a thoughtful gift! you've helped your friend feel connected to the landscape they live in, and offered them some lungs full of fresh air, and some rare critter sightings, to boot!
Best wishes for a fulfilling holiday and a mindful New Year!!!

by carol from jersey at 10:05 PM on 24 Nov 2008

Protect-an-acre vs. Buy-an-acre

I highly recommend the Rainforest Action Network's Protect-an-Acre program. It's likely the one mentioned in this answer as a small grant program to indigenous communities. There are several reasons I think this option is a better choice than traditional buy-an-acre programs.
You receive a certificate to give as a gift with a description of the project you've funded. You can see previous and ongoing projects at http://ran.org/campaigns/protect_an_acre/
Supporting indigenous communities is the best way to protect the forests.

Indigenous communities have been stewards of the land for generation and their livelihood depends on the ability of the forest to thrive. A recent study by Forest Trends found that traditional communities on site do a better job of conserving woodlands than governments or international donors.
Recognizing the interconnection of domination of land and domination of people is the first step towards an ethic of conservation that preserves culture and nature. Also, it covers gifts for greeny friends and those more into human rights issues and provides heartwarming stories for the Christmas season in addition to a few acres of forest.
It's difficult for well meaning organizations to ensure that uninhabited forest lands remain protected without constant monitoring and upkeep. It's not uncommon for loggers, oil and gas companies, cattle ranchers and miners to illegally extract resources from "protected" lands.
Indigenous communities have few allies in staging resistance to hostile or even illegal land seizures to feed the growing agribusiness and fuel economies and this program helps provide tactics for retaining or regaining a self-determination that is self sustaining. When communities loose land rights they almost never regain them and are often forced into abject urban poverty or wage slavery on the plantations that replace their homes.

Finally, we give environmental gifts because of an ecological ethic that we cultivate in our lives and wish to share with friends and family. Traditional programs allow you to support an organization doing good work in the world and remove some acres of forest from the open market. RAN's Protect an Acre does all that and sustains communities half way around the world that live the ecological effort we profess. The world has a lot to learn from the traditional lifestyles of those who inhabit and rely upon the forest and sustaining those societies for even a single generation longer gives us the opportunity to witness the way young indigenous population will face and defeat encroaching challenges.

by ladyoflyonnesse at 2:43 PM on 25 Nov 2008

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Rain, Dear

On rainforest-protection gifts