Rainforest Partnership's Second Annual Celebration Dinner

Nov. 3, 2010 - PRLog -- Austin, TX – November 3, 2010 - On November 17, continued Rainforest Partnership supporters, Elizabeth Avellán and Rick Linklater, will host the Second Annual Celebration Dinner for the Austin-based nonprofit Rainforest Partnership at the Barr Mansion.  Linklater, a native of Texan, has written and directed films such as Dazed and Confused and The School of Rock and Avellán, long-time Austin resident, has produced films such as Desperado and Spy Kids.  

Touted as the nation’s only certified organic events facility, the Barr Mansion, built in 1898, is a beautiful setting for weddings and events in the area.  In June of this year, a lightning strike during a rainstorm tragically burned down the larger events facility that sat behind the iconic building.   While rebuilding, a beautiful temporary structure has been erected and Rainforest Partnership (RP) is holding one of the first major fundraisers in the facility.

Rainforest Partnership is a young, Austin-based nonprofit focused on protecting tropical rainforests. Niyanta Spelman, wife of Council Member Bill Spelman, founded RP only three years ago.  The organization partners with communities in Latin America to develop sustainable economic alternatives to deforestation.  Rainforest communities are often limited in means to earn a livelihood. Historically, many relied on cutting down trees and using the land for pasture, cash crops, or logging. The unfortunate consequence is the loss of natural forests and biodiversity.  RP’s solution is to give local communities a stake in preserving their forests by sustainable income options that keep forests standing.

Among various projects, Rainforest Partnership’s team in Peru is working with the community of Chipaota to create handicrafts and utensils from non-timber products.  Additionally, RP has partnered with the Ecuadorian non-profit, Conservación y Desarrollo, on a women’s artisan project in Sani Isla, Ecuador. This alternative income stream promotes the recovery of native species in the forest and reduces the reliance on deforestation.  The annual celebration event will help RP reach its goal of making it more valuable to keep forests standing.  Last year’s dinner raised more than $35,000 towards rainforest projects throughout Latin America.

The event takes place Wednesday, November 17, 2010, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a cocktail hour beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Barr Mansion.  The evening includes dinner, drinks, a silent auction, and a public showing of products from the communities Chipaota, Peru and Sani Isla, Ecuador.

Individual tickets are $100. Tickets and event sponsorships may be purchased by calling Maurine Winkley at (512) 420-0101 or maurine@rainforestpartnership.org.

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Contact: Maurine Winkley      
Director of Operations, Rainforest Partnership
(512) 420-0101 or (831) 325-6190