Beth Huggins, Program Director at the Regeneration Field Institute in Ecuador, will present on regenerative agroforestry work taking place in Chone, Manabí, Ecuador. Since 2017, her team has restored degraded land on a 70-acre farm into thriving agroforestry systems in a region facing drought, erosion, and economic instability caused by deforestation and monoculture farming.
Her presentation will explain how a science-based, community-led cacao agroforestry model is regenerating soil, restoring biodiversity, and increasing farmer incomes. She will also discuss how this approach helps rural communities adapt to climate and market changes, offering a practical example of environmental restoration paired with economic resilience.
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville meets weekly Thursdays at noon to carry out its purpose of providing service and fellowship to members and the Wilsonville community. Guests are welcome. Lunch is available off the menu; please arrive and order by 11:45 a.m. if you are ordering lunch. For more information, email president@wilsonvillerotary.com.
Official bio:
Beth Huggins is a Portland-based professional engineer with extensive experience working and living in countries around the world, supporting communities on the front lines of climate change. For more than 15 years, she has focused on bridging gaps between rural communities and access to technology, science, and funding.
As Program Director at the Regeneration Field Institute in Ecuador, Beth leads programs for more than 200 students each year focused on environmental restoration, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable construction. She is passionate about educating and empowering students to take action in the world.
