TWPs Five Community-Centered Priorities
In 2023, Trees, Water & People (TWP) will celebrate 25 years of creating environmental, social, and economic impact for frontline communities most affected by climate change.
Founded in 1998 to protect and regenerate the forests in the Americas, TWP has worked throughout Central America and with Native American Tribes in the U.S. to provide strategic, financial, technical, and legal support for local social, environmental, and economic goals.
TWP Staff and local volunteers from the Santo Domingo Pueblo planting trees together.
By building trusting relationships, designing collaborative programs and partnerships, and securing resources to turn ideas into action, we ensure that local communities and organizations receive the support they need to advance climate justice objectives locally.
Our work is guided by 1) the communities we serve, 2) the individuals and organizations that fund our mission, and 3) the staff and partners who carry out the work. We seek to balance the interests and priorities of each group, knowing that all are necessary to achieve our mission.
Together we center our work on five community-centered priorities: Dignified Livelihoods, Environmental Stewardship, Gender Equity & Inclusion, Indigenous Sovereignty and Youth Development. These all feed into our vision of a world where climate justice, equitable economic development and resilient communities are valued and have the space to thrive.
Dignified Livelihoods - helping create work opportunities that people can be proud of and that contribute to a higher standard of living.
Environmental Stewardship - continually improving the way we care for, use, and protect natural resources to enhance biodiversity.
Gender Equity & Inclusion - creating conditions for women to rise into leadership roles in our programs and within our organization.
Indigenous Sovereignty - ensuring Indigenous voices are heard and respected in decisions that affect their people and territories.
Youth Development - acknowledging that the next generation will inherit the earth, and need to be involved in its care today.
When you support TWP, you’re contributing to each of these important priorities, as they are each woven into the work we do daily. Stay tuned as we share how we put each of these into practice, and work to be an exemplary nonprofit organization in service of people and planet.
