TCU Ranch Management alumnus receives international conservation award

Photo by Joao Canziani

Fort Worth, Texas

4/18/2011

On April 21, 2011, TCU Ranch Management alumnus John Cain Carter will receive the Botanical Research Institute of Texas’ 2011 International Award of Excellence in Conservation.

 

As founder of Aliança da Terra, a non-profit NGO, Carter works to persuade Brazilian landowners to use sustainable land management practices to improve the environment and save the Amazon rainforest. The organization provides economic incentives to encourage farmers who meet the social-environmental criteria set forth by the Registry for Social-Environmental Responsibility.

 

“Mr. Carter sets an impressive example of what can be done to slow deforestation of one of the world's most invaluable ecosystems, the Amazon rainforest," said S. H. Sohmer, Ph.D., FLS, BRIT’s president and director.

 

Carter’s work began shortly after he moved to Brazil to manage his father-in-law’s cattle ranching operations in 1996, when he became aware of deforestation due to burning techniques used to clear land to accommodate for more lucrative cattle grazing or farming.

 

Carter founded Aliança da Terra in 2004 and continues to pursue ways in which he can further Amazonian conservation efforts. He maintains a relationship with TCU’s Ranch Management program and works to involve its faculty and students in solving the problem in Brazil.

 

“Sustainability is core to what we teach every day,” said Kerry Cornelius, director of TCU’s Ranch Management program. “Mr. Carter epitomizes the leadership and values of our program—we are incredibly proud of the momentum he has built. He has truly earned this award and we are all rooting for him as he continues to make meaningful changes through Aliança da Terra.”

 

According to Jeff Geider, director of TCU’s Institute of Ranch Management, Carter and his wife Kika (also a Ranch Management graduate) continue to remain loyal supporters of the program. 

 

“John and Kika have been instrumental in helping the institute build a relationship with Brazilian and U.S. stakeholders involving educational, cultural and global outreach exchanges,” he said. “They have demonstrated by example and have created many opportunities for TCU Ranch management students to view, in real time, the successes that arise from applying this methodology.”

 

Geider explained that Ranch Management studies are of the “applied science” variety and that this “practical application and experiential learning is the ethos of the program.”

 

“In short, there are some who talk about what should be done to be responsible stewards of the world’s resources and there are others who do it,” Geider continued. “The Carters have done it with pride, passion and unparalleled enthusiasm.”