Trees, Water & People Awarded Seal of Excellence

Trees, Water & People (TWP) has been awarded the prestigious “Best in America” Seal of Excellence from Independent Charities of America (ICA). The seal is given only to members of ICA who meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. Of the one million charities operating in the United States, only five percent meet these expectations, and fewer than two thousand charities have been awarded the exclusive seal.

TWP’s conservation efforts have been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally.

Camp Fire Coffee: Warming You and the Lakota Sioux

TWP is excited to announce our new partnership with Lakota Coffee Company! Proceeds from the sale of the new Camp Fire Coffee (organic Columbian/Sumatra blend) will benefit our Tribal Lands Renewable Energy Program which harnesses the power of nature to improve the lives of Native American families living on reservations across the Great Plains.

Skip DuCharme, owner of Lakota Coffee Company, was inspired to open the popular Columbia, Missouri coffee shop by the Seven Sacred Campfires, known as the Western or Teton Sioux, Lakota -- meaning “friendly people.” Through his generosity, every bag of Camp Fire Coffee sold will help TWP install cost-effective solar heaters, plant important windbreak and shade trees, and train tribes about the many benefits of renewable energy.

Beginning October 2008, Camp Fire Coffee may be purchased at the Lakota Coffee Company website, and soon after at TWP’s online sustainable gift store.

TWP Presents 10K Check to Local Elementary School

On Saturday, September 13th, I had the great honor and pleasure of presenting a large and rather beautiful check for $10,000 to Ann Alfonso, the principal of Bethke Elementary School, at the new school’s dedication ceremony. This funding will initiate the installation of a 10kw photovoltaic solar electric system on the school and was the culmination of a year’s worth of work here at TWP. It is also the kickoff of a program that is sure to result in many more renewable energy installations throughout Fort Collins and Northern Colorado.

Trees, Water & People’s Clean Energy Program’s initiative called Renewables on Schools raises money through our annual Renew the Rockies fundraising event to initiate the acquisition of renewable energy installations on area schools. Bethke Elementary was the first of hopefully many schools! After the wonderful success of Renew the Rockies last year, we are already starting to pursue sponsorships and make plans for next year’s Renew the Rockies– The Future IS Clean Energy! Scheduled for March 7th, 2009, it will benefit another school in Fort Collins, likely Kinnard Junior High, which was pre-wired for a 10kw photovoltaic solar electric system when it was built in 2004. With a futuristic theme, we plan to celebrate the promise of renewable energy and do our part to bring that technology to the present. If you or someone you know is interested in being involved as a sponsor or auction donor, please contact Elizabeth Mozer at (970) 484-3678 or Elizabeth@treeswaterpeople.org .