We are a pioneering nonprofit founded by Bruce Calhoun and other educators and students in 1988. Since inception, more than 10,000 students have participated in our high-quality and sustainable trips AND we have donated more than $500,000 to rainforest conservation efforts!
On World Rainforest Day 2021, we relaunched with renewed vigor! Connect with us for intern, volunteer or partnership opportunities or to lead a trip to the tropics.
Bruce Calhoun
President and Board Chair
Bruce Calhoun is a life-long environmentalist and movement pioneer. As the Founder and long-standing President of Save The Rainforest, Bruce has long been an inspiration to us all.
Bruce taught biology in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, oceanography in Puerto Rico, led Wisconsin Science Academy students on marine biology trips, was a diver for Australian Institute of Marine Biology, canvassed for Wisconsin’ Environmental Decade, and worked as a naturalist for Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources.
Mr. Calhoun is open to speaking engagements at high schools, universities, and teacher conferences. He knows how to get the students engaged and laughing! See a segment of one of his talks here.
Bruce Calhoun’s autobiography and more can be found here.
Butch Beedle
Board Treasurer
Butch Beedle is a nationally recognized educator in rainforest, environment, and outdoor education. He is a retired middle school social studies teacher who has been active with Save The Rainforest since 1988. He was the front-runner in the national interdisciplinary education concept and has written various curriculums, journals, book and magazine articles about interdisciplinary, environmental and rainforest education. Butch and his classes started the award-winning Tropical Tribune that was the only newspaper researched and written by and for children about tropical rainforests. Students interviewed leading rainforest conservationists and scientists and was endorsed and distributed by Save The Rainforest.
Butch has traveled on Save The Rainforest trips to Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama and has explored rainforests in Australia, Mexico and Peru.
Karri-Roh Wasley
Board Secretary
Karri Roh-Wasley is one of the student founders of Save The Rainforest in the late 1980’s during which time she was the state of Wisconsin’s most distinguished student athlete.
Influenced by Save The Rainforest, Karri pursued a career in environmental education and teaches biology at Dodgeville High School. Karri leads Dodgeville High School students on Save The Rainforest trips each year.
Adem Theriault
Board Member
Adem Theriault is an entrepreneur and environmentalist who owns and operates Eco Tree Company. As an arborist he is a dedicated implementer of urban forestry best practices. He loves the outdoors and firmly believes we need to be better stewards of our planet. He resides in Southwestern Wisconsin with his wife and two young children
Board Advisors
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We have worked with a number of extraordinary educators who have all led multiple trips to the rainforest. They advise Save The Rainforest on policy and operational matters and are available to answer questions from teachers who are interested in taking students to the rainforest.
- Jennifer Dallman. AP Environmental Science Teacher. Castle View High School. Castle Rock, CO
- Corinne Dedini. Assistant Head of School at One Schoolhouse. Washington, DC.
- Mike Freidlin. Biology Teacher. Abington Heights Middle School. Clarks Summit, PA.
- Juliet Whitsett. STR Programming Consultant, Austin, TX.
- Christopher James. STR Disadvantaged Youth and Ecuador Program Director, Tucson, AZ.
- Steven Marzocchi. STR Director of Data Insights, Boston, MA.
- Andrea Luecke. STR Interim Executive Director (June 2021 – December 2021) and student founder (1989). As Executive Director, Andrea catalyzed the relaunch in June 2021 with a new website, new branding, and new connections & partners. As Board Advisor, she continues to guide the organization on strategic positioning.
