Rob Wheeler

“Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you haven’t committed.”

– Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Rob has represented the Global Ecovillage Network at the United Nations and in its sustainable development processes for the past 18 years. An environmental education professional he has taught youth and people of all ages to appreciate and understand the workings of and humanity’s dependence upon maintaining a healthy natural environment. He founded and chaired the EcoEarth Alliance UN Partnership Initiative on developing an integrated, multi-sectoral community based approach to sustainable development beginning in 2001.

While being knowledgeable about all areas of sustainable development Rob is particularly well versed in both applying and understanding the inter-relationships between and among regenerative agriculture; ecosystem restoration; watershed management; water retention landscaping and restoration of natural water cycles; passive solar, green and natural building processes; renewable energy options; and all of their impacts on and the need for adaptation to global warming and climate change, etc.

Rob presently serves on the Advisory Board of the Ecosystem Restoration Camps Initiative and on the Board of the Earth Rights Institute. He is currently helping to establish ecosystem restoration camps with two Ecovillage Networks in The Gambia and in Senegal/Mauritania in Africa.

Rob lived for a number of years at the Heathcote Ecovillage Community in the US, serving on the Garden, Visioning and Education Committees. He coordinated Volunteer Day activities and supervised interns. He has also worked as a Carpenter and Handyman and on Sustainable Building Projects. He is a Master Gardener.

In the 1990s Rob co-founded and coordinated the Santa Cruz County Sustainable Community Campaign, along with co-chairing the county Earth Day Committee. In the 1980 and 90s he worked as a Crew Leader and Environmental Education Coordinator with the Youth Conservation Corps, a summer work/education program for High School students, as well as a Trail Leader and Staff for Resident Outdoor School and Summer Science Camp Programs.