In loving memory of David Bartecchi

Trees, Water & People shares the grief felt by all mourning the tragic death of David Bartecchi. Dave was a longtime friend, peer, and collaborator of TWP’s, and was the Executive Director of Village Earth, a global educational organization based here in Fort Collins, CO.

Dave was someone we looked up to and held in the highest regard. Apart from his talents, skills, and credentials, he was one of the most genuinely empathetic and visionary individuals we’ve ever worked with. Most recently, he worked with TWP and long-time friends at Red Cloud Renewable to conduct important field audits of tree seedling survival in South Dakota.

As co-founder of the Native Lands Advocacy Project, Dave worked tirelessly to help Tribes map treaty-protected lands across the west, and has trained hundreds of students and professionals around the world in community resource mapping and GIS skills. His commitment to Indigenous sovereignty was infinite - it was part of who he was and what fueled his passion.

He leaves behind a wife and two daughters he adored, and so many people in Fort Collins and across the world who loved him for the outstanding human he was. We have lost a force for good in our community, and his absence will be felt for decades to come.

Trees, Water & People will make a gift to Dave’s family in his memory, in recognition of all the contributions he’s made to TWP’s mission and the Indigenous communities across the Americas that we both served and loved.

You’ll be missed dearly, my friend,

Sebastian Africano
Executive Director
Trees, Water & People