EcoWB Releases Official Statements on Environmental Ethics and Equity
September 18, 2021

Environmental Ethics Statement

 

Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) supports the principle that ecosystems and the biotic and abiotic components and processes they comprise have intrinsic value and are therefore worth conserving, regardless of their utility to humans. Humans, of course, are part of and not separate from nature. As conscious beings capable of discerning the causes and consequences of our actions and of modifying our behavior to achieve desired future outcomes, humans have the capacity and unique responsibility to protect and restore Earth’s ecosystems, thus ensuring their perpetuation into the future. We believe that conditions conducive to sustaining life are a prerequisite for the realization of the basic rights to which all humans are entitled, be they civil, political, economic, or cultural. 



Consistent with the notion that all living things have intrinsic value and recognizing the undue influence and frequently adverse impacts that humans have on the environment, conservation of Earth’s ecosystems is EcoWB’s highest priority. As ecologists, we have a profound, albeit imperfect, knowledge of the complexity of natural ecosystems, the interconnectedness of their components and processes, and the dependencies and effects that humans have upon them. We strive for a deeper understanding of the natural world, to minimize the adverse impacts our actions might cause, and to promote the sustainable use of natural resources at local, regional, and global scales. We do this by assisting underserved communities around the world that have been affected or are imminently threatened by the loss or degradation of environmental components or processes. We strive to improve the human-nature relationship by ensuring that the environment is capable of sustaining life and that basic human needs are met both now and in the future.


Equity Statement

 

Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) endeavors to treat everyone equitably and with respect regardless of gender, race, color, nationality, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, or other expression of individual or group identity. In carrying out its mission to protect and restore Earth’s ecosystems, EcoWB strives not only to treat all people fairly and impartially, but also to protect and involve the most vulnerable in its conservation efforts. We value and respect traditional knowledge and beliefs, and seek to involve local residents, communities, and partners in all that we do. 


 As an international scientific and non-profit organization, EcoWB relies on the efforts of many volunteers to accomplish its mission and goals. We recognize and encourage the valuable, diverse, and enriching contributions that people from all backgrounds and experiences bring to the organization. Our volunteers are committed to the highest standards of professional, responsible, and ethical behavior.


EcoWB has implemented policies to protect volunteers and the people they serve from discrimination, injury, or other abuses. Internally, EcoWB strives to cultivate a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable working environment for its volunteers, staff, clients, partners, and contractors. We offer equal opportunity and fair treatment to all who come within our sphere of activity. Our projects, programs, and training sessions are designed to foster inclusion, diversity, and equitable access to resources. 



The concept of equity also encompasses a commitment to ensuring that everyone everywhere has access to clean air, water, sanitation, nutritious food, and other resources required for survival, growth and reproduction. These needs are best met when the ecosystems people live in, and upon which they depend, exist and function adequately over time and space. In this regard, EcoWB is committed to helping underserved communities around the world overcome environmental challenges that threaten their basic needs and continued existence. Many of the people we assist live under conditions of poverty, unequal opportunity, and various forms of exploitation. We strive to not only avoid perpetuating these conditions, but to actively contribute to efforts to eliminate them in the communities in which we work.

Interview with Dune Ives

By ECOWB ECOWB • October 5, 2026
Meet Dune Ives, EcoWB’s new Executive Director . Since stepping into the role earlier this summer, Dune has been getting to know the people, partners and projects that make EcoWB what it is – and thinking about what’s possible as we look to the future. Dune brings more than 25 years of experience turning ambitious environmental ideas into action. Her work has included the Green Sports Alliance and NextWave Plastics, developing with TOM FORD the first impact investment fund and awards program to replace thin-film plastic, and leading work recognized with the inaugural UN SDG Impact Award. We sat down with Dune to hear what drew her to EcoWB, what has surprised her in her first couple of months as Executive Director, and what excites her most about where the organization is heading. From the extraordinary people who built EcoWB to the potential of its global volunteer community, Dune reflects on what makes this organization special – and what she hopes will come next. What first attracted you to Ecologists Without Borders? When I first became aware of Ecologists Without Borders, I was struck by its unique offer to the world. Throughout my career, I’ve held the belief that creating a healthy, liveable planet is everyone’s job – and that is what I saw reflected in EcoWB’s model.. There are many organizations doing environmental conservation and restoration work – whatever name you put to it. But what felt unique to me is the way that Ecologists Without Borders has harnessed the zeitgeist of a service economy, bringing together experts from around the world: scientists, biologists, ecologists, marketing professionals, and everything in between. As humans, we are hard-wired to rush to the aid of other humans, but we can feel hopeless and rudderless in the face of environmental degradation, especially when it happens in faraway places. What I love about EcoWB is that it gives people a way to help. It enables communities to complete the work they know needs to happen to create healthy environments in which their communities can thrive. No other organization does this. I wanted to be part of this effort: to harness the power of volunteers who have passion, drive, commitment, and something to give beyond themselves and their day-to-day lives, and to put that power to work for communities all over the world. And what an exciting way to give back to the environment and to know – not just feel, but know – that you are making a difference every day. What surprised you most when you joined the organization? When I first got under the hood of the organization, what surprised me was that it had been volunteer-led for nearly its entire existence. I knew that I was the first staff Executive Director. I didn’t realize at the time that this organization, which began in 2011, had been developed, overseen, managed, and implemented by a group of some of the most passionate – and nicest – humans I have ever met. When you step into the role of Executive Director in a primarily volunteer-led organization, it is important to recognize that you are carrying all of their hopes and dreams, as well as those of the people who came before them, who established the organization and continued to propel it forward. That is an important reminder of my role as Executive Director, and of the history and culture I am helping to carry forward. What makes EcoWB’s volunteer model so powerful? What is powerful about EcoWB’s model is that there is a place for everyone in this story. There are so many environmental, conservation and restoration needs around the world. A project in one part of the world might require someone who is excellent at youth education and leading eco-tours. Another might need somebody who has just completed a master’s programme, has a speciality in GIS mapping, and wants to put that expertise to work. Another might need someone who really understands what a wetland could look like when it is fully restored. There is a place for everybody at Ecologists Without Borders, and that is what I think is so powerful about this model. What do you want the volunteer experience at EcoWB to feel like? I want volunteering with EcoWB to feel meaningful. When you come here, I want you to know that your talents, your time, your experience, and your expertise are not only valued – they are honoured. We believe deeply in our model and in the way we engage with communities, but we’re also learning. As EcoWB grows, we want to keep learning – from our partners, from the projects themselves, and from the volunteers who bring their experience and expertise to this work. Where do you hope EcoWB will be a year from now? A year from now, I hope we will be talking about how our volunteer base has quadrupled, and how the number of communities we have served has increased tenfold – if not more. When we do this right, we will be able to match volunteers with communities that don’t currently have access to the technical expertise or funding they need. We will be able to grow our collective impact in every corner of the world. And now is the right time to do it. Communities are not waiting – and can’t wait – for the large NGOs to solve all of their environmental challenges, and we should not wait either. We need to match the pace and scale of what these communities are asking for. What would you say to someone considering getting involved? I hope you’ll join us, and I’m really excited to see what we are going to build together.

EcoWB 2025 Annual Report

By ECOWB ECOWB • April 28, 2026
We’re excited to share our 2025 Annual Report—a snapshot of a year where EcoWB continued to grow, respond, and deepen our work alongside communities around the world. Inside, you’ll see what this community has made possible—from supporting the establishment of a Community Forest in Cameroon to advancing projects across fisheries, wetlands, and restoration in Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and beyond. You’ll also get a closer look at some of the volunteers behind the work, and how their time and expertise are helping turn complex challenges into practical action. EcoWB 2025 Annual Report Importantly, this momentum is carrying forward. New projects are already underway in 2026, more are taking shape, and we’re continuing to respond as communities reach out for support. We’re proud of what’s been achieved—and even more excited about what’s ahead. Click HERE to download the full report.