"Today, 20 percent of global warming is caused by tropical deforestation. We need young people who are passionately committed to protecting the rainforest. First they need to see it. Therefore: Birthright Earth."

 

Wesleyan University Alum, Tim Devane, recently started a program called Birthright Earth. The non-profit program, which is influenced by (but not affiliated with) Birthright Israel, funds eye-opening experiences to the rain forests of South America.  The program funds ten-day trips for youths ages 18-26.

 

Birthright Earth seeks to instill understanding and inspire environmental conservation through direct exposure to the increasingly detrimental circumstances of our fragile ecosystem.  On each trip, participants will engage with local communities, interact with wildlife, and experience the wonders of the rainforest, without fences or barriers.

 

 

On the trip, participants will encounter rare species indigenous to the area including anacondas, two-toed sloths, various monkeys, iguanas and a wide range of birds.  Through canoeing trips, hiking, lectures and projects, participants will become familiar with the species, canopy and lush forest that make up the Amazon.

 

The program is continuously throwing fundraisers and seeking investors to raise money for an amazing first trip, which will likely take off this coming June.  Check out the Birthright Earth website for additional information about the program, including where the next fundraiser will take place, and a more detailed account of the program's intentions and the specifics of the experience.

 

Photos: Birthright Earth website