The Virtual Foundation - your donation makes it happen

About the Sacred Earth Network

1. Environmental Telecommunications Project
   Since 1989, the ETP has supported the environmental community in the former Soviet Union (increasingly called "Eurasia") with computer equipment, on-site telecommunications training, and small grants. SEN is proud to have played a major role in the creation of a computer network of over 220 environmentalists spanning over 60 cities in 14 of the 15 former Soviet republics.

   The ETP has been a cooperative effort of the Center for Coordination and Information of the Socio-Ecological Union (SEU- CCI). Three or four times each year, an ETP board comprised of 8 Eurasian environmental activists, meets at the offices of SEU-CCI to select 5-8 equipment recipients from up to 40 group applicants. All selected recipients sign a 2 year contract committing themselves to using the granted equipment to communicate for their environmentally oriented work.

   After delivering the equipment, training recipients on computer and E-mail use, and making sure groups open e-mail accounts, SEN's Moscow technical and project staff provides considerable post hook-up consultation to ensure that participants become reliable e-mail users.

2. Ecolink Central Asia
   Ecolink Central Asia is developing a host-server at the Ashkhabat Ecology Club in Turkmenistan, establishing three additional Central Asian environmental e-mail stations, and providing additional support to existing ecological networkers in the region. A "Virtual Sovyet (or Project Board)" has been formed to make project policy decisions and approve equipment recipients.

3. Trans-Caucasus Communications Bridge
   The TCB is a comprehensive program of team-building, equipment donation, and training in electronic communications. Its aim is to facilitate the organizational development of the regional environmental movement in the southern Caucasus area. A Regional Board has been established, and all members are currently developing e-mail access.

4. Biodiversity Campaign
   The Biodiversity Campaign is an initiative specifically designed to help Russian environmentalists protect and manage areas that are high in biodiversity and ecological importance and unnoticed or under served by the international community. Support and assistance to these organizations continues via e-mail, as an increasing number of international links are forged and strengthened.

5. Deep Ecology Initiative
   "Deep Ecology," the term used to describe Earth-centered ethics, values, and practices, and is the philosophical foundation of SEN's activities. Deep Ecology, in combination with the conviction that personal and community empowerment is requisite for positive social change, forms the basis of the DEI. Under this program, SEN has sponsored experiential workshops, classes, retreats, and public talks designed to foster ecological consciousness, sustainable lifestyles and citizen leadership. The Deep Ecology Clearinghouse provides access and referral to the growing number of people and resources in this field.

6. U.S. - Eurasian Publications
   *The SEN Newsletter (available in Russian and English) describes "leading edge" ideas and solutions to environmental problems, and is published in both Russian and English editions. The emphasis is on strengthening ties between Eurasian grassroots environmentalists and their international counterparts.

   *The Directory of Eurasian Environmental E-mail Users lists over 300 Eurasian groups using e-mail and includes detailed profiles of over 80 of the most active.

   *SEN provides Russian translations of noteworthy articles on alternative energy, environmental education, biodiversity, sustainable forestry, bioregionalism, and deep ecology.