Global Challenges, Local Response
A healthy planet is the best inheritance to leave future generations.
Trees, Water & People was cofounded in 1998 by Richard Fox and Stuart Conway, two foresters and friends who saw an urgent need to address the pervasive deforestation in Latin America. As their vision evolved, they quickly realized that without addressing the underlying causes of deforestation, they would never be able to stop it.
We had to ask ourselves, if people are cutting down trees to cook their meals, then how can we help them reduce the amount of wood needed every time they cook.
For twenty five years, Trees, Water & People has been a leader in the design and implementation of programs that produce tangible benefits for people and planet. Today, our work is more urgent than ever, as climate change threatens the livelihoods of millions of people in our region.
At Trees, Water & People, our work is guided by two core beliefs: that natural resources are best protected when local people play an active role in their care and management, and that preserving local ecosystems is essential for the ongoing social, economic, and environmental health of communities everywhere.
We are staffed by a group of dedicated and culturally grounded professionals who get up every day to work for people and planet, and to help communities manage the natural resources upon which their livelihoods depend. Local people are at the center of all our work, and building their capacity to improve their own communities ensures local sustainability is built into everything we do.
But we can't do it by ourselves.
With your help, we can make a world of difference!
Our mission is to improve people's lives by helping communities protect, conserve, and manage the natural resources upon which their long-term well-being depends.
Community-Based Development
Trees, Water & People is guided by the philosophy that the best way to fight climate change is to involve local people directly in the design and implementation of environmental and economic development initiatives.
Letting local people lead creates ownership, involvement, investment, and financial sustainability. The challenges we’re facing as a planet require that we work with communities as allies, listen to their ideas, priorities and aspirations, then co-invest in creating a healthier future.
Identify Community Needs
Success in community-based development means understanding local needs. Working with community leaders and residents, we can get to the root of local concerns and common interests.
Partner with Local NGOs
Strong partnerships with local organizations and professionals are crucial to the success of our projects.
Evaluate and Monitor Projects.
Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the project can help us pivot quickly when needed. Lessons learned from the initial implementation can be applied to current and future projects.
Design and Implement Projects
The solution needs to fit into the existing social system, have clear objectives, and ways to measure success.
TWP Project Map
A map illustrating the range of locations where TWP is working with local partners on community based forestry and sustainable development across the United States and Central America.
Our Team
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Executive Director
Sebastian Africano is proud to lead Trees, Water & People into its next 25 years of impact. He has worked first-hand in almost every aspect of TWP's programs, and brings deep perspective and dedication to advancing the aspirations of the communities TWP serves. While Sebastian travels less these days than he did during his first 15 years with the organization, he is excited to raise his two kids among the extended TWP family, and to continue building bridges that connect our global community. Sebastian holds an MBA from Colorado State University and a BS in Marketing from Penn State University.
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Indigenous Lands Program Director
Born and raised in New Mexico, James comes with direct experience working with Tribes and understanding the traditional knowledge as it pertains to their unique values. After working with the government sector, James realized his heart belongs to the nonprofit world.
As TWP’s Indigenous Lands Program Director, James provides much needed insight and experience on working with Tribal governments that uphold traditional ethics of governance and leadership. His deep rooted experiences and cultural values strengthens our program by building trust with Tribes, promoting traditional landscape conservation values and over-seeing the development of community-based projects.
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Indigenous Lands Field & Outreach Manager
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Indigenous Lands Program Content Creator
Based in the Santa Fe, New Mexico, Treston Chee (He/Him) can be found taking photos, conducting interviews with partners and collaborating expressing a variety of story-telling projects in the southwest. He is Diné from the Navajo Nation, which has influenced his practices in photography, film-making and design. While creating and collaborating he embodies guidance, resiliency and collaboration to share stories that speak of connections, empathy, inspiration, hardship, and generosity on Indigenous lands. Chee has received a Bachelor of Fine Arts emphasizing in Photography and Media from the Institute of American Indian Arts.
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Central America Program Director
Born in Colombia, Daniela is a bilingual social scientist with 10 years of experience working in sustainable development across the Americas, specializing in community-based conservation. She began her career with a B.S. degree in Environmental Studies from Florida International University, where she developed her interest in community conservation. After graduating she served as a Conservation Specialist with the Peace Corps in Paraguay. This led her to graduate school where she received an M.S. in Conservation Leadership from Colorado State University, where she did field research with marine conservation non-profit in Belize. Currently Director of TWP's Central American Program, previous coordinator of the Central America Program, and Manager of TWP Tours - the ecotourism arm of the TWP.
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Central American Program Coordinator
Based in Guatemala City, Marlen is a passionate Ecotouristologist, committed with sustainability. Almost all of her professional career has been dedicated to promoting the understanding and application of sustainable practices and resource management. She has worked for public institutions and with the private sector, but found her true love working with grassroots organizations. She is enthusiastic and highly committed to the work that TWP does in Central America, a region that is very close to her heart. Marlen is a mother of two beautiful girls, a nature and beach lover, who really enjoys good music, healthy food, traveling with her family and meaningful conversations.
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Regional Manager of The Central America Program
Born in Honduras, Marvin has an academic background in Biology and Project Management. His experience reflects collaboration and passion for the implementation of initiatives driven through local and international cooperation to promote a better quality of life for families in rural and peri-urban communities in the Central American region. His areas of interest are conservation and preservation of natural resources, renewable energy, community leadership and inclusive and sustainable human development.
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Finance Director
Director of Finance and Administration since 2007, Diane brings her years of accounting experience to maintain TWP's financial health, as well as managing our human resources. When she isn't crunching numbers, you can find her working with local animal welfare organizations, playing the piano, or cruising around town on her bike.
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Database Manager
Mandalee joined the TWP team in 2022. Throughout her career, she has supported various organizations with missions based in improving the health and well-being of under-resourced populations. She has a B.A. in U.S. History with a minor in Sociology from Fort Lewis College.
Mandalee had an adventurous childhood growing up on a farm near the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in western Colorado. She has spent the past (almost) three decades raising two very artistic children to be hard working and hard playing. She enjoys collecting rocks and minerals.
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TWP Fellowship
EWBorn and raised in Fort Collins, Zoe is excited to be a part of the TWP team to deepen her role as a community member. She will receive her BA in Political Science for Environmental Policy from Colorado State University and is hoping to spend her career centering people in environmental projects and policy. She loves spending time outdoors with her community, riding her bike, playing music, cooking, and learning Spanish.
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Director of Operations
Henry has been involved with Trees, Water & People for over 7 years through board service and joined the staff at the start of 2024. Throughout his career, he has helped mission-driven companies achieve success by developing people and systems to help them run better. At TWP, Henry supports the staff through HR, the constituents through Operations, and donors through Finance. In his spare time, he likes to be outdoors with family and his dog, Gus.
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Front Range Tribal Coordinator
Philip was born and raised in Fort Collins CO, with family here since the early 1900’s and holds Indigenous family ties from Montana, New Mexico and northern Mexico. In addition to serving for the United States Marines, he worked as an ECO week instructor at the Colorado State University mountain campus and participated in Indigenous cultural ways such as singing and Native American flute. He graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources. With over 22 years of experience working with Native Nations and Indigenous communities both on and off reservations, from youth programs to community projects he dedicates his work to helping educate communities and supporting Buffalo programs. Phillip is a father of three and an active member of the local VFW his work with youth and Indigenous communities will continue with Trees, Water and People.
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Grants Manager
Helen joined TWP in 2022 as Grants Manager. She has a M.A. in English from CSU and has served in the nonprofit sector for 15+ years. She is honored to work on funding solutions for some of the world’s most vibrant and vulnerable Indigenous communities and their natural resources. Helen lives in Loveland, Colorado, with her husband, son, mother, and Charlie (the Wonder Dog).
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Development and Outreach Manager
Born and raised in Costa Rica, TWP’s resident “tica” is passionate about contributing to the Central American region through the advancement of environmental and economic development programs that benefit vulnerable communities. She has collaborated with an amazing Marketing and Comms team at TWP for over 3 years, helping bring inspiring stories of resilience to the forefront. Hellen holds an MBA from Colorado State University and a B.S in Communications from the University of Costa Rica.
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Director of Donor Experience
At this point Ray is as close to a Fort Collins native as you can be without actually being a Fort Collins native. For the past 25 years he has lived here with his favorite person Sarah and together raised three other great humans. Between lots of outdoor activities over the last 25 years he has managed to work for some great organizations, met some incredible people and had the honor of telling their stories to the world through design and photography.
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Opawrations Manager
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Video and Content Producer
José (he/they) is originally from Mexico City but was raised in Denver, and he is closely connected to local and international stories of climate resilience, migration, and social justice. José holds a B.A. in Film Studies from Seattle University, and has worn many hats at TWP including photography, marketing, fundraising, IT, and journalism – all of which contribute to his fun and dynamic role at the organization.
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Canine Pawject Director
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Barketing Manager
Board of Directors
Irene Romsa, President
Owner, ELLA Group, LLC
Jenny Bramhall, Vice President
Cofounder of Trees, Water & People and Owner of Clothes Pony
Jon Becker, Treasurer
Former Co-Owner, Solar Glass Window & Door
Paul Zilis, Secretary
Board Member and Indigenous Lands Program Committee Chair
Cynthia Brown
Colorado State University Professor of Rangeland Management
Stuart Conway
Cofounder of Trees, Water & People
Tyrone Smith
Director, Native American Cultural Center Colorado State University
Leslie Taylor
President, Emerita Colorado State University
Raul Tuazon
Founder and Principal at Sustain Harmonics