Floresta Project, Inc. was born out of a deep connection with the Amazon rainforest and in particular through relations developed by the directors with two communities that are located in the regions of Pauiní and Juruá, in the State of Amazonas, Brazil. There are approximately 700 people living in the Pauiní area and 300 people in the village of Estorres, Juruá. Combined, these communities occupy an area of 456,000 hectares (1,126,800 acres) of land and struggle with similar problems facing most of the Amazonian inhabitants affected by developers and unconscious industrialization.

Some of these challenges are deforestation, inadequate infrastructure for trash recycling, lack of sufficient food supply and production, lack of health care, inadequate sanitation and inadequate social services. For the last seven years two of the directors of Floresta Project, Inc. have been traveling to this region and through establishing close relationships with the people who live there, have come to understand their struggles and needs, as well as seeing possible solutions that can help these communities meet the challenges of the times and become more sustainable.

Lynn Schauwecker is the original founder and Managing Director of Floresta Project, Inc. She has been traveling to the Amazon since 2003, and has been working with indigenous groups and organizations for the past 13 years. Lynn has an extensive background working with not-for-profit organizations and has been working in fundraising and development for the past 15 years. She has overseen programs related to human rights, health, education, religion, women’s causes, environmental protection, and indigenous rights. She has organized and developed many events ranging from a special four-day Longevity Conference with the Dalai Lama, to Doctors of the World events with guest speakers such as Hillary Clinton and Susan Sarandon. She has also organized the first gathering of The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers. She oversees all projects and manages the administration of the Floresta Project, Inc.

Cameron C. Dubes LikeMinds Development Consultant for Floresta Project Inc. and founder of LikeMinds Network, LLC. LikeMinds specializes in consulting services to the nonprofit sector with special emphasis on fundraising, communications, and planning. LikeMinds has a broad network of independent consultants and small firms specializing in all aspects of nonprofit management. Other consulting services include market & prospect research, branding, finance, human resources, and licensing. Cameron’s background includes nearly 30 years of professional fundraising, communications, and nonprofit branding services to human rights, health, education, religious, youth, environmental, advocacy, cultural, civic, and human service organizations as well as associations.

Thomas Sandbichler is a consultant to Floresta Project, Inc., bringing a background of integrative architectural design and sustainable building. His work over the last 10 years includes restoration, planning and design, and energy efficient building principles.

Robert Wootton, a native of Ireland, has had an extensive career in the entrainment industry managing bands and night clubs. Two years ago, Robbie relocated to the Amazon and is now permanently based there after selling his businesses. Robbie's background is rooted in financial management, production, and orchestration of multiple projects and groups in the music industry. Robbie will be overseeing and managing Floresta's projects in Brazil.

Marisol Villanueva is a Project Consultant to Floresta Project, Inc. Born in Puerto Rico. She has a BA in Visual Arts/Communications and a BFA in Fine Art. Since the mid-1990s, Marisol’s work has been dedicated to photographing indigenous people, their threatened ways of life, and their endangered habitats — on self-assigned projects and in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution. She is the Director of mä creative inc, a New York–based organization that focuses in developing, producing, and supporting creative projects that interrelate with the arts, culture and spirit.

James Chambers

Cameron Dubes

Amanda Gruss

Angelina Nasso

Thomas Sandbichler

Lynn Schauwecker

Robert Wootton

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