Here’s to the Next 30 Years
We are planting the seeds for a greener and more equitable world for all.
Can we count on you today for a brighter tomorrow?
Your contribution today will ignite a brighter tomorrow.
Our journey began in 1993, by a group of passionate environmentalists who believed in the power of people to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental issues. As we reflect on the past 30 years, EarthCorps’ impact would not have been possible without you – members of our global community who believed in our vision and supported our work.
However, as we look towards the next 30 years, we’re faced with the reality that the next generation is grappling with escalating environmental challenges. Your support will help prepare the next generation to tackle these issues with resilience, foster a global network of environmental leaders, and empower frontline communities most affected by environmental degradation.
From EarthCorps’ Community
As we look towards the next 30 years, we reflect on and celebrate the folks in our community who have made a profound impact. Join us as we amplify the stories of two stalwart supporters.
Photo by Rebecca Ross Photography
Read Ann's Story
Ann has been a stalwart EarthCorps supporter since 1997. Her journey with EarthCorps began when she crossed paths with Dwight Wilson, the founder of EarthCorps, who sought her as a potential board member becauseof her experience with international relations. Intrigued by the Corps program’s innovative leadership model and cross-cultural exchange opportunities, Ann decided to get involved with this budding organization with big dreams!
From 1997 to 2003, Ann served as a pivotal member of the EarthCorps Board of Directors, contributing significantly to the organization’s growth despite encountering formidable challenges. While EarthCorps faced financial hardships in the early 2000s, Ann, alongside the late Charlie Jenner, exhibited remarkable selflessness, commitment, and vision that played a crucial role in keeping the organization afloat during its most challenging times.
Since then, Ann’s dedication to the EarthCorps community has endured in various capacities. Beyond her role as a board member, she has opened her home to numerous international corps members, actively participated in volunteer events—including most recently at Wakulima Farms as part of the Revive Reunion celebration weekend—and consistently provided financial support as a monthly donor.
When asked about her enduring commitment and future plans with EarthCorps, Ann shared some heartfelt thoughts:
“I almost wrote “EarthCorps IS My Life” as the title for these remarks of mine! But I realized that this may sound slightly extreme. However, it’s not far from the truth.”
Ann’s connection with EarthCorps is deeply ingrained in her daily life. As she strolls through her Mt. Baker neighborhood, she encounters the tangible results of corps members’ efforts in parks—removing invasives and constructing brilliant box steps. Friends’ homes evoke memories of hosting corps members from Colombia, the Philippines, and Brazil. Even her garden serves as a living reminder of EarthCorps staff joining her for a day of planting, weeding, and shared lunches.
Ann says “even take a look at my refrigerator—there are photos of Elizabeth, Mario, Stephaney and many others, along with my family. You can see how easily EarthCorps has become an integral part of my life, ever since I first became a board member.”
“I’ve seen how the organization has grown and become so impactful and sustainable, and I continue to support it in every way I can. I praise all the people who work there, rain or shine. I applaud the early risers and the beautiful voices I hear so clearly. Whenever there is a cyclone in the South Pacific, I worry about Oni and her family. Whenever there is an earthquake in Haiti, I hope that Jeudy and his family are OK. You can see why I feel that EarthCorps IS my life in so many ways. Having my son Lindsay and my grandchildren involved as well has been the greatest joy!”
“Thank you EarthCorps, you have nourished my life, and I know you will continue to do so for many others. My promise is that I will support you for the long haul, which is how we will create a sustainable future together.”
Thank you, Ann, for continuing to believe and plant seeds with us for a brighter future!
Join Ann in planting the seeds today for a brighter tomorrow →
Read Emily's Story
Emily is one of the latest additions to EarthCorps’ Board of Directors and has already hit the ground running by championing awareness for the new direction of our work and providing consistent support as a monthly donor. For Emily, the path that led her to EarthCorps started back in 2020, amid the challenges of a global pandemic and a critical reckoning on racial justice.
Like many of us, Emily found respite during these times by getting outdoors to explore and enjoy the beauty of Washington State. The more she began exploring these spaces, the more she began making connections with the EarthCorps community. She began spending a lot of time in South Seattle’s Seward Park, where EarthCorps has helped stewardship efforts for more than 20 years. She crossed paths with the Trail Mixed Collective, an organization founded by EarthCorps alum and board member Quena Batres, dedicated to enhancing access to outdoor sports for women of color. For Emily, a woman of color herself, discovering a sense of community in these outdoor spaces held profound significance.
And then the Pacific Northwest heat wave of 2021 hit. Emily vividly recalls this as a turning point for her in understanding the environmental justice crisis:
“After the heat wave, there was an article in the Seattle Times that showed how different parts of the region felt the heat wave differently. It was unsettling, yet unsurprising, to learn that areas, for example, that have been historically redlined, had hotter temperatures than the wealthier, predominantly white neighborhoods. For me, it was a concrete example of how the legacy of racist policies have created conditions where people of color, who have had the least impact on climate change, are feeling the worst effect of it. That was a key moment for me, and I needed to find a way to help change it.”
Emily, employed at Neighborhood House—an organization devoted to building community and increasing access to housing, health, education, and economic opportunities for underserved families—witnesses firsthand the intersection of inequitable development practices and degraded environments affecting Washington families. Emily gradually became acquainted with EarthCorps’ commitment to centering environmental justice in their work when she connected with EarthCorps board members Tania Elahee and Debbie Park White in a group of DEI practitioners.
“EarthCorps is truly walking the talk when it comes to equity and antiracism in environmental and nonprofit sectors. They recognize it is imperative to shift away from only working with affluent cities and is intentionally engaging in projects in areas lacking resources but deserving of a healthy living environment. As someone working in the nonprofit field, having support from individual donors is crucial for these efforts, and it has allowed EarthCorps to expand its work and make a tangible impact towards achieving environmental justice.”
“My hope is that the EarthCorps community can continue to grow and champion this new vision so that we can continue to build really important partnerships with BIPOC-founded and led organizations—whether they are doing work in food justice or human services—it is all connected. By looking at issues holistically together in our communities, we can ensure that everyone is able to live long, healthy lives, and our kids and grandkids can have that too.”
We wholeheartedly agree, Emily, and are so grateful to have you as part of the EarthCorps community!
Get Involved
This giving season, join EarthCorps in working toward a greener future for all. By making a gift, raising awareness, and getting involved you’re supporting a world where all communities and ecosystems are resilient to the world’s most pressing environmental issues.
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