Philosophy
"A primary responsibility of educators is that they not only be aware of the general principle of the shaping of actual experiences by environing conditions, but that they also recognize in the concrete what surroundings are conducive to having experiences that lead to growth. Above all, they should know how to utilize the surroundings, the physical and social, that exist so as to extract from them all that they have to contribute to building up experiences that are worth while."
-John Dewey, Experience and Education

»On Environment
» We believe that the health of the environment reflects the relationship of how human communities interact with the natural world. We are facing an ever-increasing environmental crisis due to pollution, unstainable resource extraction, and global warming. With our increasing population we are putting greater stresses on the ecosystems that sustain all life. While economic development is often cited as the culprit of this crisis, it is possible to integrate sustainable resource practices into our economic system to ensure the health of future generations. Truly successful development depends on the health of our ecosystems. We believe in rethinking what is valued and reevaluating the goals of our development. We must work together to create solutions to this complex environmental crisis while educating our children on the importance of a more sustainable approach toward development.

»On Education
» Nature demonstrates that sustainable systems are possible. It is important to recognize the processes by which these systems maintain themselves. It is our human responsibility to learn to apply these principles. We must create a system of education through which future generations can learn these principles to design societies that honor and compliment them. Education is the key toward change and progress. Finca Project strives to motivate and to encourage the youth of all cultures to take an active stance as environmental stewards of the earth. We believe that project-based education cultivates a sense of responsibility that cannot be conveyed in a textbook.

»On Community
» In human communities, ethnic and cultural diversity plays a similar role as biodiversity in the ecosystem. Healthy networks within and between communities strengthen communication and facilitate the exchange of ideas. Strong, cohesive communities are the building blocks for a peaceful world and a healthy environment. These communities take pride and responsibility by valuing their physical and social environment. With the rapid pace of technology, people are able to communicate now over greater distances than ever before. We believe that we can utilize these tools to link people and communities working towards similar goals.