A PLAN FOR RURAL INNOVATIONMEETING OPPORTUNITY

INDEXEXECUTIVE SUMMARYBACKGROUND ON COMMUNITY FORESTS INTERNATIONALBRIEF ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORYHISTORY OF THE RURAL INNOVATION CAMPUSWHALGHINBRAN FARM AND FOREST OUTLINE OF THE PROJECT: OVERALL STRATEGY

1. INNOVATION

3. EDUCATION4. FARM5. FOREST

2. INFRASTRUCTURE

CLOSING

123567911131517202124

APPENDIX A : 3 YEAR WORK PLAN APPENDIX B : PROFILES OF KEY CFI STAFF

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSince it’s inception in 2008, Community Forests International (CFI) has been providing rural communities around the world with the tools needed to take advantage of their unique strengths, assets, and opportunities for grassroots economic growth. As recog-nized leaders in sustainable development, the organization’s approach begins with a deep understanding of the economic and environmental challenges facing rural communities.

In Tanzania, Community Forests International has worked to plant over one million trees for fruit, timber and conservation. CFI has built solar energy micro-grids and rainwater harvesting systems for entire small island communities. CFI has developed new agricultural techniques and innovated new household technologies. These successes have coalesced with the launch of the or-ganization’s Rural Innovation Campus – Tanzania, a place designed to drive viable and sustainable rural economic activity by fostering crucial entrepreneurial skills through knowledge transfer. With support from the European Union, the Rural Innovation Campus - Pemba is now up and running – realizing an important platform and beacon of positive change as rural communities around the planet confront the challenges of a changing climate and an increasingly competitive globalized marketplace.

Founded and based in Atlantic Canada, Community Forests International understands the unique challenges facing the region. Rural Maritime communities must diversify and enhance their economies in order to thrive in a changing environment. The Ru-ral Innovation Campus model has proved successful in developing and commercializing new products and services abroad, and Community Forests International believes that it can be adapted to improve the productivity and competitiveness of rural enter-prises here in Atlantic Canada.

The Rural Innovation Campus - Canada will provide Maritime entrepreneurs and innovators with the tools, network and oppor-tunities necessary to meet the region’s distinct economic development needs. As rural communities experience an outmigration of skilled workers and an aging population, a Rural Innovation Campus based in New Brunswick will serve to retain and attract the region’s young and skilled innovators – the next generation of businesspersons vital to building a vibrant rural economy. The following document outlines the Rural Innovation Campus concept while providing an important roadmap for how Community Forests International is working within Atlantic Canada to achieve its vision of rural economic and ecological prosperity.

1

Community Forests International is an environmental startup and charity that works to make conservation the result of sustainable economic development. Based in Sackville, New Brunswick, Community Forests International leads community development projects in Atlantic Canada and Tanzania. The organization’s notable achievements to date include:

BACKGROUND ON COMMUNITY FORESTS INTERNATIONAL

CANADA TANZANIA�� 7SHU[LK�V]LY�VUL�TPSSPVU�[YLLZ

�� +LZPNULK�HUK�JVUZ[Y\J[LK���JVTT\UP[`�ZJHSL�YHPU^H�

[LY�OHY]LZ[PUN�Z`Z[LTZ

�� +LZPNULK�HUK�JVUZ[Y\J[LK����JVTT\UP[`�ZJHSL�ZVSHY�

LULYN`�TPJYV�NYPKZ�

�� +L]LSVWLK�PUUV]H[P]L�[YVWPJHS�MHYTPUN�HUK�MVYLZ[Y`�

[LJOUPX\LZ

�� 7PSV[LK�ZL]LYHS�UL^�[LJOUVSVNPLZ�HUK�OV\ZLOVSK�WYVK�

\J[Z�PUJS\KPUN�JVTWYLZZLK�LHY[O�ISVJR�I\PSKPUN��HNYP�

^HZ[L�IPVTHZZ�M\LSZ��HUK�OPNO�LMÄJPLUJ`�JVVRZ[V]LZ

�� ,Z[HISPZOLK�H�9\YHS�0UUV]H[PVU�*HTW\Z

�� -HJPSP[H[LK�V]LY����L_WLY[�SLK�YLZRPSSPUN�^VYR�

ZOVWZ�^P[O�V]LY�����WHY[PJPWHU[Z�MYVT�HJYVZZ�

([SHU[PJ�*HUHKH

�� *VUZLY]LK�5L^�)Y\UZ^PJR»Z�PJVUPJ�����HJYL�

>OHLSNOPUIYHU�-HYT� �-VYLZ[

�� +L]LSVWLK�UL^�]HS\L�HKKLK�MVYLZ[�WYVK\J[Z�

Z\JO�HZ�-VYLZ[�*HYIVU�6MMZL[Z

�� +LSP]LYLK�HWWYLU[PJL�IHZLK�LK\JH[PVU�PU�HK�

]HUJLK�MHYTPUN�HUK�MVYLZ[Y`

�� 0UJ\IH[LK�H�ZVSHY�LULYN`�JVTWHU`��1HaH�,U�

LYN`��HUK�HU�LU]PYVUTLU[HS�KLZPNU�HUK�YLZ[V�

YH[PVU�JVTWHU`��,JVZJHWL�([SHU[PJ��

With a strong focus on the multiplier effects of economic development, CFI’s past achievements have also produced countless ZVJPHS�HUK�LU]PYVUTLU[HS�ILULÄ[Z�^P[OPU�WHY[PJPWH[PUN�JVTT\UP[PLZ�PUJS\KPUN�PTWYV]LK�NV]LYUHUJL��MVVK� �^H[LY�ZLJ\YP[ �̀�HUK�ecological conservation.

2

BRIEF ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

In 2007, Community Forests International (CFI) initiated a rural tree planting movement on Pemba Island, Tanzania that to date has seen over 5000 rural Pembans plant over 1,000,000 trees for timber, food, and conservation. In 2009 CFI helped found a sister organization in Tanzania, Community Forests Pemba (CFP), in order to increase local ownership of its projects. The grass-roots innovation of CFI’s activities earned the recognition and support of the European Union’s Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) in 2011. This enabled CFI to grow its Tanzanian projects beyond forest restoration to include sustainable agriculture, rainwater harvesting, sustainable building, and small-scale solar and wind energy generation. In 2013, with further support from the European Union, CFI began constructing a Rural Innovation Campus on Pemba Island, Tanzania in order to scale its leading community-based development activities to the greater Zanzibar and East African region.

PEMBA

3

CANADA0U���� ��YLÅLJ[PUN�H�KLZPYL�[V�THRL�WVZP[P]L�JOHUNL�JSVZLY�[V�OVTL��*-0�ILNHU�KLSP]LYPUN�LK\JH[PVU�HUK�JVUZLY]H[PVU�WYVNYHT-ming in Atlantic Canada. The organization’s activities focused on supporting forest-dependent communities, and providing acces-sible re-skilling workshops on climate change adaptation and rural revitalization. On May 31st, 2012 CFI became successors to 5L^�)Y\UZ^PJR»Z�YLUV^ULK�>OHLSNOPUIYHU�-HYT� �-VYLZ[��^P[O�]PZPVUZ�VM�LZ[HISPZOPUN�P[�HZ�H�]PIYHU[�SP]PUN�JSHZZYVVT�HUK�PUUV-vation center. By 2013 CFI’s popular education series had grown to over 40 workshops with over 500 participants; and the orga-nization turned its attention to developing the Rural Innovation Campus – Canada to support continued growth and expansion of it’s regional programming.

4

HISTORY OF THE RURAL INNOVATION CAMPUSCommunity Forests International has had extraordinary success working with rural communities in Tanzania to move innovative technologies through pilot phases to commercialization and regional expansion. This success led to the need for a physical inno-vation space; a centre where rural entrepreneurs could share their knowledge and successes, learn new skills, and develop new technologies and land-use techniques. With support from the European Union, Community Forests International collaborated with Tanzanian partners at Community Forests Pemba (CFP) to design a space that would accommodate a diversity of activities including workshops, business incubation, and research and development. Beyond hosting capacity building events and dem-onstration plots, the campus quickly established a network of rural entrepreneurs working together to develop solutions to their communities’ most pressing economic and environmental challenges.

Following the successes of the Rural Innova-tion Campus – Tanzania, Community Forests International began exploring the feasibility of establishing a parallel campus on the or-ganization’s conservation property near Sus-ZL_��5L^�)Y\UZ^PJR���>OHLSNOPUIYHU�-HYT� �Forest.

5

WHAELGHINBRAN FARM AND FOREST >OHLSNOPUIYHU�-HYT� �-VYLZ[�PZ�SVJH[LK�PU�H�ILH\[PM\S�\WSHUK�]HSSL`�ULHY�[OL�JVTT\UP[`�VM�:V\[O�)YHUJO��5L^�)Y\UZ^PJR��OHSM�hour from Moncton and Sussex). It’s founders, pioneers of organic agriculture and ecological forestry, lived directly off the land for over 40 years before CFI purchased the property in 2012. The abundance of the farmland and the advanced ecological res-toration of the forestland at Whaelghinbran are testaments to a careful and forward thinking approach. The model demonstrates that it is possible to make a living from the land while at the same time restoring and preserving its ecological health. This is an invaluable lesson for overcoming the great economic and ecological challenges facing rural communities today – and the Whael-ghinbran property provides the ideal setting for CFI’s Rural Innovation Campus - Canada.

6

PROJECT OUTLINE: OVERALL STRATEGYThe Rural Innovation Campus – Canada will provide important community infrastructure that links Atlantic Canada to global markets. The campus will work to foster the economic development of Atlantic Canada’s rural communities by creating a plat-form for the development of new technologies, products, business models and enterprises. The Rural Innovation Campus will host the services and facilities critical to supporting the unique needs of rural entrepreneurs while also building a support net-^VYR�Z\P[LK�[V�WYLWHYPUN�Y\YHS�LU[LYWYPZLZ�MVY�[OL�Å\J[\H[PVUZ�HUK�JOHSSLUNLZ�MHJPUN�[OL�YLNPVU»Z�LJVUVT �̀�+YH^PUN�VU�([SHU[PJ�Canada’s attractive land prices and vibrant social enterprise community, the Rural Innovation Campus – Canada will focus pri-marily on attracting and retaining young entrepreneurs.

The Rural Innovation Campus is a game-changing platform for life-long learners, teachers, and innovators. It supports the invention and communi-cation of open-source solutions to the world’s most pressing social, eco-nomic and environmental challenges. The Rural Innovation Campus works for rural communities and practices holistic accounting when weighing [OL�JVZ[Z�HUK�ILULÄ[Z�VM�LJVUVTPJ�models, technologies, and human re-lationships with the environment. The Rural Innovation Campus is a power-ful network for positive change.

CFIPUÇUVÇ]HÇ[PVU� c���PU��]�:/�U��(noun)

the act of social progress through uncertainty.

�� a new method, idea, product, etc.: grassroots forestry

innovations that help vulnerable communities adapt to

climate change.

7

DIFFERENT REGIONS, SIMILAR APPROACHThe Rural Innovation Campuses in both Tanzanian and Canada will work in collaboration and will be aligned philosophically; facilitating an international exchange of ideas and energy in the common pursuit of rural prosperity. The extraordinary success of the Community Forests International – Community Forests Pemba partnership to date can largely be attributed to a grassroots and collaborative approach. It is envisioned that the RIC’s cross-cultural and community-centric focus will likewise provoke ground-breaking solutions to today’s most pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges.

STEPS FORWARDTo establish a Rural Innovation Campus – Canada at Whaelghinbran Farm, Community Forests International has developed strate-gic objectives to be delivered over the next 3 years. These objectives have been broken down into the following 5 categories:

1. INNOVATION

2. INFRASTRUCTURE

3. EDUCATION

4. FARM

5. FOREST8

1. INNOVATION

To foster a new wave of entrepreneurial activity throughout the region, RIC Canada will act as an incubator for new enterprises; providing the facilities necessary to host workshops and business development seminars for aspiring businesspersons wishing to establish their own technology ventures, social enterprises or land-use businesses.

“All people, in all places around the world can innovate the solutions to our planet’s most press-ing environmental, economic and social challenges. Rural Innovation Campus – Canada will serve HZ�H�WSH[MVYT�KLZPNULK�[V�PUZWPYL�*-0�Z[`SL�PUUV]H[PVU��KLÄULK�HZ�HU�HJ[�VM�ZVJPHS�WYVNYLZZ�[OYV\NO�uncertainty. As the world changes around us, the Rural Innovation Campus will inspire people around the world to unlock their potential as innovators, creating the type of positive change we all believe in.”

9

BUILDING A PLATFORM FOR RURAL INNOVATIONThe Rural Innovation Campus platform emphasizes accessibility, transferability and scalability - fostering empowerment and ^PKLZWYLHK�YLWSPJH[PVU�VM�Z\JJLZZM\S�PUUV]H[PVU���;OPZ�LUNHNPUN��VWLU�ZV\YJL�HWWYVHJO�PZ�JLU[YHS�[V�*-0»Z�VYNHUPaH[PVUHS�WYVÄSL�and continues to attract leading innovators, entrepreneurs and students alike. By fostering pride and a culture of innovation in rural communities, the Rural Innovation Camus platform will stimulate the emergence of a rural ‘Silicon Valley’ here in Atlantic Canada. By connecting a farm, forest, workshop, incubator space and business accelerator on one rural campus Community For-ests International will create a place where good ideas can grow.

ENERGY

The Rural Innovation Campus – Canada will expand on CFI’s success to date and serve as an incubator, accelerator and launch pad for new businesses within the region. It is envisioned that once established the Rural Innovation Campus will help generate new small- and medium-sized businesses in Atlantic Canada.

EXPANDING A MODEL

CARBON

0U�������*VTT\UP[`�-VYLZ[Z�0U[LYUH[PVUHS�ILNHU�^VYRPUN�^P[O�:LIHZ[PHU�4HUJOLZ[LY��H�NYHK\H[L�Z[\KLU[�VM�TLJOHUP�JHS�LUNPULLYPUN�H[�+HSOV\ZPL�<UP]LYZP[ �̀�4Y��4HUJOLZ[LY�^HZ�YLZLHYJOPUN�LULYN`�Z[VYHNL�HUK�^HZ�PU]P[LK�[V�^VYR�^P[O�*-0�[V�KL]LSVW�ZVSHY�LULYN`�JOHYNL�JVU[YVSSPUN�[LJO�UVSVN`�HUK�JVTT\UP[`�TPJYV�NYPKZ��/H]PUN�KL]LSVWLK�H�Z\JJLZZM\S�WYV[V[`WL�PU�JVVWLYH[PVU�^P[O�*-0��4Y��4HUJOLZ�[LY�PZ�UV^�SH\UJOPUN�H�I\ZPULZZ�JHSSLK�1HaH�,ULYN`�PU�VYKLY�[V�W\YZ\L�[OL�JVTTLYJPHSPaH[PVU�VM�[OL�UL^�[LJOUVSVN �̀

0U�������*VTT\UP[`�-VYLZ[Z�0U[LYUH[PVUHS�ILNHU�^VYRPUN�^P[O�H�NYHK\H[L�Z[\KLU[�VM�,HY[O�:JPLUJL�H[�:[��-YHUJPZ�?H]P�LY�<UP]LYZP[`�UHTLK�+HSL�7YLZ[���4Y��7YLZ[�^VYRLK�^P[O�[OL�VYNHUPaH[PVU�[V�KL]LSVW�H�JHYIVU�VMMZL[[PUN�TL[OVKVSVN`�^OPJO�OHZ�ZPUJL�NLULYH[LK�V]LY����������PU�ZHSLZ��;OPZ�UL^�JHYIVU�VMMZL[�WYVQLJ[�PZ�ILPUN�L_WSVYLK�I`�[OL�(JHKPHU�-VY�LZ[�2LLWLYZ�WVVS�VM�^VVKSV[�V^ULYZ�HUK�[OL�5L^�)Y\UZ^PJR�*VTT\UP[`�3HUK�;Y\Z[�HZ�H�^H`�[V�LUJV\YHNL�MVYLZ[�YLZ[VYH�[PVU�^OPSL�WYV]PKPUN�PUJVTLZ�^P[OPU�MVYLZ[�KLWLUKLU[�JVT�T\UP[PLZ�

10

2. INFRASTRUCTUREThe infrastructure at CFI’s Rural Innovation Campus – Canada will be integrated with the land and inspiring in itself. As a crucial JVTWVULU[�PU�[OL�LJVUVTPJ�KL]LSVWTLU[�VM�Y\YHS�JVTT\UP[PLZ��[OL�PUMYHZ[Y\J[\YL�^PSS�YLÅLJ[�*-0»Z�\UPX\L�VYNHUPaH[PVUHS�WYPU-ciples, including:

���:\Z[HPUHIPSP[`��������*VZ[�LMMLJ[P]LULZZ���������0UUV]H[PVU��������4\S[PM\UJ[PVU��������;YHUZMLYHIPSP[`

11

BUILDINGS

INTERPRETIVE TRAIL NETWORK

ENERGYIn keeping with CFI’s principles, the Rural Innovation Campus will demonstrate renewable energy technology appropriate to the local region. CFI will strive to achieve Zero Net Energy (ZNE) at the Rural Innovation Campus – i.e. the energy provided by re-UL^HISL�ZV\YJLZ�VU�ZP[L�Z\JO�HZ�ZVSHY�HUK�IPVTHZZ�NHZPÄJH[PVU�^PSS�IL�LX\HS�[V�VY�NYLH[LY�[OHU�[OL�LULYN`�JVUZ\TLK�VU�ZP[L���*-0�has successfully led innovative, community-scale renewable energy initiatives in Tanzania and will bring this experience to bear on the Rural Innovation Campus - Canada energy developments.

Currently the Rural Innovation Campus - Canada includes a residence, a garage, a large barn, and several small accessory build-PUNZ���*-0�OHZ�HSZV�ILN\U�JVUZ[Y\J[PUN�H�ZTHSS�RP[JOLU�MHJPSP[ �̀��0U�[OL�UL_[�[OYLL�`LHYZ�I\PSKPUN�WYVQLJ[Z�^PSS�PUJS\KL�YL[YVÄ[[PUN�L_PZ[PUN�Z[Y\J[\YLZ�HUK�KL]LSVWPUN�HKKP[PVUHS�HSS�ZLHZVU�HJJVTTVKH[PVU��H�T\S[PM\UJ[PVUHS�VMÄJL�O\I��L]LU[�MHJPSP[PLZ�HUK�HU�PU-novation workshop.

To support the organization’s ongoing education and outreach activities, CFI will construct an interpretive network throughout [OL�JHTW\Z»�����HJYL�(JHKPHU�-VYLZ[�HUK�P[»Z�L_[LUZP]L�MHYT�YLZLHYJO�ÄLSKZ��;OL�MVYLZ[LK�SLUN[O�VM�[YHPS�^PSS�JVTTLUJL�PU�[OL�pristine ‘East Valley’ and will feature: diverse forest communities; ongoing, long-term forest and watercourse restoration activities; and key points of interest including stands of 100+ year old eastern hemlock. The farm portion of the trail will highlight leading JLY[PÄLK�VYNHUPJ�HNYPJ\S[\YL�WYHJ[PJLZ��WPVULLYPUN�WLYLUUPHS�WVS`J\S[\YL�MY\P[�HUK�U\[�WYVK\J[PVU��HUK�HKHW[P]L�^H[LY�THUHNL-ment techniques. By developing the campus as an attractive and inspiring destination for not only entrepreneurs but also the general public, CFI hopes to encourage an enriching exchange between the local community and resident innovators.

12

3. EDUCATION, APPRENTICES AND INCUBATION“The Rural Innovation Campus creates a positive, vibrant environment where students and teachers, entrepre-neurs and mentors alike can gain knowledge and experience that expands understanding and skill. The education-al experience provided through the Rural Innovation Campus is practical, hands-on, and empowering, providing SPML�SVUN�SLHYULYZ�HUK�PUUV]H[VYZ�^P[O�[OL�YLNPVU�ZWLJPÄJ�ZRPSSZ�ULJLZZHY`�[V�THRL�[Y\L�HUK�SHZ[PUN�JOHUNL�¹�

13

For 5 years CFI has been delivering environmental workshops and skills-based seminars to participants throughout Atlantic Canada on topics such as ecological forestry, watercourse restoration, permaculture design, and green building. The organiza-[PVU�H[[YHJ[Z�ZVTL�VM�[OL�TVZ[�LUNHNPUN�L_WLY[Z�PU�[OL�JV\U[Y �̀�HUK�OHZ�YLÄULK�H�OHUKZ�VU�HWWYVHJO�[V�[LHJOPUN�[OH[�I\PSKZ�KLLW�knowledge and hard skills. Rural Innovation Campus workshops and short courses will expand on this model, and provide ac-JLZZ�WVPU[Z�MVY�[OL�PU[LYLZ[LK�LU[YLWYLUL\YZ�^OPSL�KPYLJ[S`�HKKYLZZPUN�H�NHW�PU�KP]LYZPÄJH[PVU�HUK�LU[LYWYPZL�[YHPUPUN�YLNPVUHSS �̀

CFI has successfully hosted 6 long-term internships in organic farming and ecological forestry to date, and will continue to ex-pand this education model via the Rural Innovation Campus. Internships will immerse participants in real-life innovation projects on- and off-site including land use, ecological design, renewable energy, social enterprise, and green building initiatives. Par-ticipants will gain the experience, skills, and network necessary to pursue related livelihood activities in their own communities going forward, promoting widespread replication and expansion of the Rural Innovation Campus’ successes.

CFI’S EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

APPRENTICESHIPS

INCUBATION;OL�9\YHS�0UUV]H[PVU�*HTW\Z���*HUHKH�^PSS�JYLH[L�VWWVY[\UP[PLZ�MVY�LTLYNPUN�PUUV]H[VYZ�[V�YLÄUL�[OLPY�PKLHZ�]PH�^VYRZOVWZ��residencies, partnerships, and competitions such as the ‘Rural Innovation X Prize’. CFI has already served as a launchpad for new technologies and products such as forest carbon offsets, solar energy hardware and a landscape design social enterprise. The facilities at the Rural Innovation Campus will allow CFI to formalize a platform for enterprise incubation, and aggregate a host of mentors, instructors and innovators to help move entrepreneurs from idea to commercialization.

Community Forests International’s ongoing architecture competition is an excellent example of the organizatioin’s commitment to KYP]PUN�YLNPVUHS�PUUV]H[PVU��+LZPNULK�[V�H[[YHJ[�J\[[PUN�LKNL�PKLHZ�MVY�9\YHS�0UUV]H[PVU�*HTW\Z���*HUHKH�PUMYHZ[Y\J[\YL��[OL�JVT-petition brings together the region’s leading architects, sustainable builders, and designers to inform and judge the competition. The campaign is attracting entries from throughout Atlantic Canada and abroad, and is providing the arena for pioneering young designers to invent and display their ideas publically. CFI and volunteers will build the winning design in July, 2014 – turning a vision of innovation into reality. In this way, the Rural Innovation Campus - Canada is already acting as both an incubator and accelerator for the social entrepreneurs and innovation leaders of tomorrow.

14

4. FARM

Clark Phillips and Susan Tyler, CFI mentors and founders of Whaelghinbran Farm, began pioneering organic agriculture in At-lantic Canada over 40 years ago. They remained deeply involved in the movement regionally, nationally, and internationally throughout their lives; and in 2004, were awarded the Gerrit Loo Award for their outstanding contributions. CFI will carry on the legacy of organic agriculture advancement at Whaelghinbran, and the Rural Innovation Campus - Canada Farm will provide op-portunities for aspiring young farmers to participate in this deep-rooted model of rural innovation.

FARMING HISTORY AT WHAELGHINBRAN FARM

¸;OL�9\YHS�0UUV]H[PVU�*HTW\Z���*HUHKH�-HYT�^VYRZ�[V�MVZ[LY�H�T\[\HSS`�ILULÄJPHS�YLSH[PVUZOPW�IL[^LLU�people and the land. A carefully designed landscape, the RIC Farm yields abundantly, supports ecological health, and requires minimal external inputs. The Rural Innovation Campus - Canada Farm demonstrates the climate-smart future of food production.”

15

The permanent agriculture revolution is based on align-ing natural processes with agricultural production goals through intensive design - and promises to change the way people grow food around the world. In order to demonstrate the future of food production, the Rural In-novation Campus will feature a Polyculture Orchard – the ÄYZ[�VM�P[Z�RPUK�PU�([SHU[PJ�*HUHKH���0U�JVU[YHZ[�[V�[YHKP-tional annual, monoculture food production, a Polycul-ture Orchard achieves higher and more diverse yields, reduced reliance on external resources, and enhanced ecological health.

ON-FARM INNOVATION“The tree [is] an engine of nature – put it to work.” J. Russell Smith

ON-FARM INCUBATIONThe Rural Innovation Campus – Canada Farm will in-cubate new entrant farmers and rural entrepreneurs by WYV]PKPUN����HJYLZ�VM�JLY[PÄLK�VYNHUPJ�MHYTSHUK�MVY�YL-search, pilot projects and hands-on education. The Rural Innovation Campus Farm will be fully integrated with other campus facilities, fostering cross-pollination and constructive overlap between tech- and enterprise devel-opment, agriculture value addition, and rural innovation.

16

5. FOREST“The Rural Innovation Campus- Canada Forest simultaneously supports human and non-human forest-dependent communities. Its management is informed through a holistic account of all values, products, HUK�M\UJ[PVUZ�P[�WYV]PKLZ�¶�UV[�VUS`�ÄILY��I\PSKPUN�TH[LYPHSZ��HUK�LTWSV`TLU[�I\[�HSZV�OHIP[H[��JHYIVU�ZLX\LZ[YH[PVU�HUK�^H[LY�W\YPÄJH[PVU���)`�^VYRPUN�^P[O�[OL�UH[\YHS�KP]LYZP[`�VM�[OL�(JHKPHU�-VYLZ[�HUK�pursuing innovation, the Rural Innovation Campus- Canada Forest will demonstrate that a carefully man-aged woodland resource can provide the foundation for a truly prosperous rural economy and ecology.”

FORESTRY IN THE MARITIME REGIONThroughout the Maritimes, and the wider Acadian Forest Region, forestry has long formed the backbone of the rural economy. In recent history the degradation of Atlantic Canada’s rich mixed forest and the resulting decline of the forest industry have desta-bilized many forest-dependent communities. The Rural Innovation Campus- Canada Forest is devoted to conserving the unique ecological diversity of the region while providing new economic opportunities for the communities that directly depend on it.

Community Forests International has been managing the Rural Innovation Campus-Canada Forest in order to increase the amount of carbon stored on-site. This has allowed the organization to commercialize a new forest carbon offset product that to date has generated over $160,000 in revenue. Additionally, local contractors and forestry professionals have been hired to manage the for-est for carbon, creating new jobs in an economically depressed region. The Rural Innovation Campus- Canada Forest will con-tinue to innovate forest management in order to create new forest products and new forestry-related employment opportunities.

IN-FOREST INNOVATION

The Rural Innovation Campus – Canada Forest will act as a platform for entrepreneurs and enterprises in the region that wish to pilot new forestry techniques and develop new forestry products. Apprenticeship programs will also be offered to provide a hands-on education opportunity for new entrant forestry innovators in the region.

IN-FOREST INCUBATION

17

FORESTRY AT WHAELGHINBRAN>OHLSNOPUIYHU�-VYLZ[�VUJL�YLÅLJ[LK�H�YLHSP[`�UV^�MHJPUN�THU`�^VVKSV[Z�PU�[OL�YLNPVU��>P[O�ZL]LYHS�O\UKYLK�HJYLZ�JSLHYLK�MVY�agriculture and the remaining woodlot managed intensively, Whaelghinbran Forest was once comprised of single aged, single species stands of trees with little economic value. Thanks to years of on-site restoration forestry, Whaelghinbran Forest today boasts high value stands of trees comprised of various ages and species. This diversity produces a wide variety of products and values, creating the potential for new economic opportunities and enterprise incubation.

18

19

CLOSINGCommunity Forests International understands the unique needs of Atlantic Canadian communities. With a focus on rural busi-nesses and entrepreneurs, CFI’s proposed Rural Innovation Campus will diversify the Maritimes’ products and services while improving the region’s competitiveness and ability to retain skilled workers and youth. The challenges of a globalized world also presents opportunites. Cutting edge technology, new manufacturing techniques and innovative processes can now be shared across global networks. As the world changes, Atlantic Canadian communities must position themselves to grow and meet change head on. Community Forests International, an organization based in Sackville, New Brunswick has demonstrated the po-tential of true global partnerships and is now working to bring this ground-breaking approach home. A Rural Innovation Campus in Atlantic Canada could mark an important beginning for the region – a starting point for the global innovators of tomorrow.

20

APPENDIX A : 3 YEAR WORK PLAN

21

Rural Innovation Campus - Canada 3 Year Quarterly Workplan

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q41.0 3 Year Strategic Planning1.1#Vision#Statements1.2#Budget1.3#Quarterly#Workplan1.4#Fundrasing#Strategy1.5#Communications#Strategy1.6#Partnership#Strategy1.7#Quarterly#Workplan2.0 Campus Master Plan2.1#Full#Site#Analysis#&#Zoning2.2#Infrastructure#Master#Plan3.0 Communications Strategy 3.1#WebKBased#Innovation#Platform3.2#Outreach#Campaigns3.3#RIC#Events#Promotion3.4#RIC#Partnership#&#Network#Development3.5#RIC#Marketing4.0 Fundraising Strategy4.1#Letters#of#Intent#to#Foundations4.2#Grant#Proposals4.3#Individual#Donor#Engagement4.4#Corporate#Donor#Engagement5.0 Basic Infrastrucutre5.1#Trotwood5.2#Yurt5.3#Cookhouse5.4#Basic#Washroom#Facility###15.5#Basic#Washroom#Facility###26.0 Long-Term Infrastructure6.1#East#Valley#Bridge6.2#AllKSeason#Cabin6.3#Machine#Shop#Redesign#&#Retrofit6.4#Barn#Redesign#&#Retrofit6.5#Onsite#Office#Design#&#Build6.6#RIC##Accomodation#Design#&#Build6.6#Renewable#Energy#Systems6.7#Interpretive#Trail6.8#Information#&#Communications#System6.9#Forest#Hamlet7.0 Innovation7.1#Rural#X#Prize7.2#RIC#International#Exchange7.3#Innovation#Residency#Program7.4#Innovator's#Blog#&#Online#Tutorials

Task Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

8.0 Education8.1#Summer#Workshop#&#Short#Course#Series8.2#LongKTerm#Internship#Program8.3#Open#Work#Events9.0 RIC Farm9.1#Whole#Site#Design9.2#Cover#Cropping9.3#Water#Management#Design#&#Implementation9.3#Permaculture#Design#&#Implementation10.0 RIC Forest10.1#Roads#&#Landings10.2#Silviculture10.3#Remediation

APPENDIX B : PROFILES OF KEY CFI STAFF

24

ProfileJeff Schnurr is the founder and Executive Director of Community Forests International in addition to several social enterprises that contribute to the organization’s mission to fostering forest stewardship, conservation and climate change adaptation.

ExperienceExecutive Director and Founder, Community Forests International - 2006-PresentAn award winning international non-governmental organization that initiates projects in Canada and Tanzania. Key organizational achievements include the following:

• Supported 1800 rural Tanzanians in the planting of 1,000,000 trees for fruit and timber• Built a Rural Innovation Campus in Tanzania• Conserved 600 acres of endangered forestland in New Brunswick, Canada• Launched an organic farming apprenticeship program and incubator farm.• Disseminated environmental education through a Canadian workshop series• Created a groundbreaking climate stewardship and carbon offsetting initiative

CEO and Founder, Community Forests Canada Inc - 2010 - presentCommunity Forests International’s social enterprise. The company engages in for-profit activities that contributes to Community Forest International's charitable mission. Past projects include:

Jeff SchnurrExecutive Director

• Concept design of a Rainwater Management System and Rain Garden for Maison Vision Ecovillage, AlternaHome Solutions, Moncton NB

• Trail development and maintenance for Halifax Regional Municipality on the Wooden River Watershed Environmental Organization’s Bluff Wilderness Trail, Tantallon, NS

Tree Planter, A&M Reforestation and Brinkman and Associates - 2004-2009Personally planted over 600,000 trees in Northern Ontario and British Columbia

Volunteer ExperienceBoard Member, New Brunswick Community Land Trust - 2009-PresentBoard member of this volunteer-led conservation organization. Holds conservation easements on working and wild land conservation areas in New Brunswick

Chairman and Founder, Envaya - 2009-PresentFounded a Silicon Valley based software and technology company that connects community leaders in developing countries around the world.

Steering Committee Member, Grow a Farmer Apprentice Program- 2012Working to connect new entrant farmers with on-farm apprentice opportunities.

Steering Committee Member, Sackville Community Garden - 2011- 2012

AwardsCBC and Manulife Financial’s Champion of Change Finalist - Top 10 Canadian Volunteershttp://www.cbc.ca/change/2010/10/jeff-schnurr.html

Explore Magazine’s Top 30 under 30http://explore-mag.com/2415/adventure/top-tree-planter-jeff-schnurr

Atlantic Council for International Cooperation’s Active 8 - Global Leaderhttp://2011.active8campaign.com/jeff-schnurr/

ReferralsRod Mckenzie - President of the New Brunswick Community Land Trust (506) 721-3343Brad Walters - Professor of Geography & Environment - Mount Allison University (506) 536-1853Craig Applegath - Principle and Architect - DIALOG - (416) 319-3600

ProfileDaimen Hardie is Community Forests International’s Program Director and was one of the organization’s co-founders. Daimen has led projects around the world and ensures that the organization’s programming delivers to the highest ethical and environmental standard. Daimen manages his family’s 350 acre woodlot in Otter Creek, New Brunswick.

ExperienceProgram Director, Community Forests International - 2008-PresentSpearheads the organization’s initiatives in Canada and Tanzania. Takes projects from design through implementation while managing budgets, timelines and logistics:

• Launched the Acadian Forest Biodiversity Initiative in Canada• Developed the Canadian Summer Workshop series and instructed several courses• Timber framed a small outdoor classroom at the Sackville, NB Community Garden• Developed a farmer apprentice program

• Lead developer for climate adaptation technology in Tanzania

Vice President, Community Forests Canada Inc - 2010 - presentProject manager and designer - has managed teams of up to 16 to deliver environmental projects in Canada

• Designed a Rainwater Management System and Rain Garden for Maison Vision Ecovillage, AlternaHome Solutions, Moncton NB

Community Forests International10 School Lane

Sackville, NB E4L 3J9

T (506) 536-3738

M (506) 540-0070

daimen@forestsinternational.orgwww.forestsinternational.org

Daimen HardieProgram Director B.A. Environmental Science

• Trail-building leader for Halifax Regional Municipality on the Wooden River Watershed Environmental Organization’s 5 Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area, Timberlea, NS

• Designed and built a garden outbuilding for Dalhousie University’s student garden co-operative featuring a living roof and timber frame.

Consultant and designer, Ecoscape - www.ecoscapeatlantic.com - 2011 - presentDraws on an extensive knowledge of plants and permaculture design techniques to deliver landscape projects on commercial and private properties.

Arborist, Ranger Tree Services, Halifax Nova Scotia - 2007-2009Arborist and Urban Forester

Tree Planter, J.D Irving Ltd, Apex Reforestation and Brinkman - 2001-2007Personally planted over 700,000 trees in, New Brunswick, Ontario and British Columbia

Volunteer ExperienceVice President, New Brunswick Community Land Trust - 2009-PresentVice President of a volunteer-led conservation organization. Holds conservation easements on working and wild land conservation areas in New Brunswick

Member, New Brunswick Organic Farmers Working Group - 2012Environmental Steering Committee Member, Village of Port Elgin - 2010- 2012

EducationBachelor of Arts, International Relations/Intercultural Studies/Environmental Science - Mount Allison University - 2000-2004Completed multidisciplinary programming under full scholarship

Permaculture Design Certificate, Blue Mountain Permaculture, Uganda - 2010Timber Framing Short Course, Sir Sandford Fleming College - 2007Budgeting and Financial Tracking Short Course, Learnsphere - 2011

ProfileDale Prest is Community Forests International’s Ecosystem Service Specialist. Dale comes from a long line of woodland entrepreneurs and has continued his family’s legacy by incorporating carbon storage and sequestration into traditional forest management and planning. Dale helps manage his family’s 3500 acres of woodlots in Mooseland, Nova Scotia.

ExperienceEcosystem Service Specialist, Community Forests International - 2011-PresentWorks to incorporate climate stewardship into the organization’s programming by providing a scientific and practice-based perspective.

• Developed pioneering forest carbon offsetting program • Implemented forest carbon sampling & quantification protocols• Worked with industry leading businesses, institutions and landowners to create greatest net benefit to the climate, natural forests

and small woodlot owners

Field Researcher. Port Joli Basin Conservation Society, Port Joli, NS - 2009• Led research project exploring forest carbon dynamics• Published findings in the Atlantic Forestry Review

Technician, Canadian Shell Fish Sanitation Program Environment Canada - 2007• Monitored marine waters for sanitary contamination from domestic, industrial and agricultural septic sources

Community Forests International10 School Lane

Sackville, NB E4L 3J9

T (506) 536-3738

M (902) 817-1139

dale@forestsinternational.org

www.forestsinternational.org

Dale PrestEcosystem Service SpecialistM.Sc. Earth Systems

• Preformed water sampling, analytical testing for fecal coli formForestry Worker, Forestex Ltd, Mooseland, Nova Scotia - OngoingOperated and maintained a Timberjack Forwarde and Timberjack Skidder in selective and clearcut operations.

Tree Planter, Celtic Reforestation - 2010

Volunteer ExperienceVolunteer, Otter Ponds Demonstration Forest, Otter Ponds, NS - 2012Volunteer for Nova Scotia’s first community forest, providing services as a researcher and regional stakeholder. Helped clear roads, build infrastructure and plan future project developments.

Researcher, Ecology Action Centre, Halifax, NS - 2009Member, Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners and Operators Association - 2012

EducationMasters of Science, Earth Science - St. Francis Xavier University - 2012Bachelor of Science, Honors in Environmental Science - Dalhousie University - 2009

SkillsCertifications

• WHMIS Certificate• H2S Safety Certificate • First Aid Certificate• Canadian Firearms Safety Course and Hunter’s Safety program• Clearing Saw Training Program, 2001 • Chainsaw Safety and Training Program, 2001• Best Management Practices, 2005• Level One Wilderness Guide

Computer

• CBM-CFS3 climate modeling software developed by the Canadian Forest Service• Geographical positioning and information software (specifically ArcGIS 10.0) • Minitab 15 Statistical Software

ProfileEstelle Drisdelle is the Program Coordinator for Community Forests International since 2010. Estelle began her career at CFI by traveling to

East Africa to receive her Permaculture Design Certification and to help communities set up tree nurseries and kitchen gardens in Uganda

and Tanzania. Estelle has since facilitated and taught over 20 public workshops in Atlantic Canada, led or consulted on ecological

restoration projects in Atlantic Canada and Tanzania, manages CFI’s native tree nursery, and lives on a 300 acre homestead growing food

and medicine for her family.

ExperienceProgram Coordinator, Community Forests International - 2010-PresentCoordinates and manages Atlantic Canadian projects with an emphasis on ecological restoration, native plant propagation and edible

landscaping.

• Managed the 2-year Watercourse Restoration project at Whaelghinbran Farm

• Instructed courses in Permaculture, restoration, native plant identification, edible landscaping, and natural medicine

• Co-designed and established CFI’s Food Forest Garden in the Town of Sackville

• Consulted on community garden and restoration projects in Atlantic Canada

• Consulted on food security projects in Tanzania

Community Forests International10 School Lane

Sackville, NB E4L 3J9

T (506) 536-3738

M (506) 540-0070

estelle@forestsinternational.orgwww.forestsinternational.org

Estelle DrisdelleProgram Coordinator B.Sc. Biology

Consultant, Community Forests Canada Inc - 2010 - presentConsulting on projects and focusing on native plant and edible landscaping

• Consulted on for Maison Vision Ecovillage, AlternaHome Solutions, Moncton NB for plant identification, trail design and wetland

restoration

• Designed and implemented home-scale landscape design for private clients

Volunteer ExperienceNew Brunswick Environmental Network, Executive Committee - 2012 - present

Sackville Community Garden, Steering Committee Member - 2010 - present

New Brunswick Food Security Network, Member - 2013 - present

New Brunswick Community Land Trust, Board Member - 2010 - 2012

Education and CertificationAdvanced Permaculture Design Course, Whole Systems Design, Vermont - 2013

Restoration of Natural Systems, University of Victoria - 2010-2012

Budgeting and Financial Tracking Short Course, Learnsphere - 2011

Permaculture Design Certificate, Blue Mountain Permaculture, Uganda - 2010

Chartered Herbalist Certification, Dominion Herbal College - 2009

Bachelor of Science - Mount Allison University - 2000-2004

ProfileZach Melanson is a co-founder of Community Forest International and as the Communications Director now leads the organizations’

diverse media and outreach activities. Zach is an adept and engaging communicator and draws on a broad range of visual arts skills when

conveying CFI’s mission to communities, partners, media outlets, and the public at large.

ExperienceCommunications Director, Community Forests International - 2008-PresentSpearheads the organization’s communication strategy. Delivers print, digital and video based media releases. Roles and milestones

include:

! Directly supports CFI initiatives in Canada and abroad as a project officer for community-based tree-planting, environmental edu-cation, and youth engagement.

! Single-handedly filmed, edited, and produced “A Beginning in Pemba”, CFI’s medium-length documentary profiling the organiza-tion’s work in Pemba, Tanzania.

! Designed numerous educational and promotional print-based media for CFI projects including the ongoing Resiliency Workshops Series, The Acadian Forest Biodiversity Initiative, and the Save Whaelghinbran Farm Campaign.

! Travels to tree-planting camps across Canada annually to engage youth in CFI’s “Plant for Pemba” fundraising initiative.

! Co-instructs CFI’s summer workshop series and facilitates internal visioning sessions, fundraising dinners, and open-house events.

Community Forests International10 School Lane

Sackville, NB E4L 3J9

T (506) 536-3738

M (506) 540-0070

zach@forestsinternational.orgwww.forestsinternational.org

Zach MelansonCommunications Director BFA Fine Art and Photo

Volunteer ExperienceProject Officer, New Brunswick Community Land Trust - 2009-PresentManages conservation easements, donor relations and program delivery

EducationBachelor of Fine Arts - Nova Scotia College of Arts and Design NSCAD - 2001-2006Permaculture Design Certificate, RICO Permaculture, India - 2010The Art of Hosting Workshop - 2012