My Nonprofit Reviews
Heather G.
Review for Alliance for International Reforestation, Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA
Winner of the 2011 Morton Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation, CNN couldn't have named AIR founder, Anne Hallum, more appropriately than a hero. She is a true heroine of the environment, conserving the Earth one tree at a time. Founding the non-profit, the Alliance for International Reforestation, Inc. (AIR), in 1993, the AIR team works to conserve communities throughout Guatemala and Nicaragua, planting trees, establishing tree nurseries, providing environmental education for teachers and farmers, digging wells, building fuel-efficient brick ovens, and helping to educate everyone about the environmental challenges facing Central America. Since 1993, AIR has since trained over 2,000 farmers, constructed over 750 fuel-efficient stoves, provided 18 high school scholarships to rural teenagers, established hundreds of tree nurseries and planted over 3.7 million trees! Just this pass June, Dr. Hallum was responsible for organizing a group of US volunteers, who joined AIR’s permanent staff, and planted almost 4,000 trees and built seven fuel-efficient stoves—in just one month! These trees bring more than fresh air, but also hold hillsides together, preventing erosion, and protecting communities from deadly mudslides. These arboreal projects also have a great social impact, giving women a very important role in their communities as conservationists.
Dr. Hallum is the epitome of a humble servant. As a professor of political science at Stetson University, actively engaged in all of the campus' environmental initiatives, she influences hundreds of students each year, leading by example. She is also the faculty advisor for the campus' community garden, wherein she ignites a passion for sustainable food among many students. Taking a couple students with her to Guatemala each summer, Dr. Hallum has opened many eyes to environmental degradation, but moreover, to the possibilities of conservation and the hope AIR's projects bring.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
volunteering, fundraising, and working alongside the growers themeselves
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Review for Alliance for International Reforestation, Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA
I volunteered with AIR over a summer and had an incredible, life changing experience. I felt like a part of a team, and accepted into the communities we worked in. The staff was well educated and humble in their approach to help these rural impoverished communities.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the Guatemalan communities women empowerment, and their children's environmental stewardship. It is honestly one of the only organizations I have been familiar with that doesn't have a hidden agenda, but rather is working solely for the people and protecting their environment.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
make sure it had more steady funding. It is hard for it to function at full capacity when funds are limited.
