News
Merging Yellowstone National Park’s Two Nonprofits
As we move into the Centennial year of the National Park Service, we all want more support for our parks—more stewards to continue protection of our parks’ natural and cultural resources, more engagement with visitors, more educational opportunities, and more funding. In order to grow this support for our nation’s oldest park, Yellowstone National Park’s two nonprofit partners have decided to merge. Yellowstone Park Foundation and Yellowstone Association’s respective leaders explain why and how they decided to undertake this merger.
Investing in Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals
We aren’t effective health and environment donors if we aren’t also supporting the innovation and commercialization of truly safer alternatives to toxic chemicals. To address this situation, Rachel’s Network Member Alison Carlson and her Forsythia Foundation studied how to invest in scaling green chemistry solutions—also known as “benign by design” solutions or safer alternatives. Thus, Safer Made was born.
Fires Burn Again in Indonesia
The recent Indonesian forest fires have been called the worst disaster in 20 years – for people, for wildlife, for Borneo’s rich rainforest, and for the Earth. Rachel’s Network Member Caroline Gabel writes about how she’s worked with a small nonprofit in nearby Malaysia to develop alternative economies that could serve as a model for Indonesia, where human activities are wreaking havoc on the forest.
Changing the Definition of Work
When work isn’t tied to a title, how does society measure it? Can we find a new definition that includes shades of grey as our work evolves over the course of our lives? Can we include a definition of work that encompasses our philanthropy and volunteerism, our civic responsibilities, and the maintenance of important relationships? Rachel’s Network Member Brooke Borgen says “yes!”.
The Power of Music with Sarah duPont
Since the beginning of time, music has been a catalyst for change. Today, music is linked to academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement, and equitable opportunity. Rachel’s Network Member Sarah duPont is using music and the arts as a positive force in Benin and the Amazon Rainforest.
Collaborating for Conservation Success
From the forests of Rwanda and the mountains of Cambodia; to the beaches of Nicaragua and home to the US again – Fauna & Flora International Director Katie Frohardt has explored many special corners of the world during her conservation career. Here she shares the lessons she’s learned about how to do effective conservation.
Rachel’s Network Tackles the Overuse of Antibiotics in Partnership with As You Sow
A shocking 80 percent of antibiotics sold in the US are given to livestock. These “sub-therapeutic” antibiotics are contributing to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria in humans. Now, a new partnership between Rachel’s Network and As You Sow is working to address the overuse of antibiotics on farms. Through shareholder advocacy, we’re targeting large food companies that have the greatest potential to make a difference.
Four Experts Weigh in on Protecting National Parks
After our Fall Retreat in Yellowstone National Park, we asked four influential figures in National Parks management and protection to share how they would like to see more funds directed to conservation in the United States. Their responses illustrate that, despite our world-renowned system of public lands, many threats loom over our treasured habitats and wildlife.
Frontline Action Key to COP 21 Success
The official Conference of Parties meetings generally don’t include marginalized voices. That’s why Terry Odendahl, President and CEO of Global Greengrants Fund, expects to see the real momentum to address climate change coming from the grassroots. Her organization is providing small grants to communities around the world and working with funders and civil society groups to help create a drumbeat for change.
Expert Q&A with Sculptor George Bumann, on the Role of the Arts in Conservation
During the Rachel’s Network Fall Retreat in Yellowstone National Park, our members were inspired by a presentation by sculptor and ecologist George Bumann who conveyed the value of wild places beyond the facts and figures we often fall back on. We asked George about his process, the experience of working in Yellowstone National Park, and his advice for inspiring a wonder for nature in others.