Over the past five years CREA has developed a holistic approach for training poor farming communities in alternative methods of agricultural subsistence which do not require continuous moving and cutting down trees. The success of our approach integrates four platforms.

Conservation science – an eclectic discipline, combining the life, economic, political and social sciences. It is a science borne from the ethic of environmental stewardship and defines the approach that CREA takes in its actions.

Research – from our base at Cocobolo Nature Reserve we work with scientists, educators, experts and volunteers to study and develop models of ecosystem function and change under different levels of human interference. This information is vital to our understanding of how to manage fragile ecosystems in Panama.

Education and training in perpetuity – is built into all of our program metrics. We teach simple skills through demonstration and communication, and then teach them to teach each other - this is critical to the success of our mission.

Action – community outreach is necessary to build bridges of trust on issues from health to children’s education, to environmental safety.