The 2017 Annual Report of the Ecosystem Restoration Camps (ERC) documents the foundation’s first year of activity, outlining its vision, governance, communications, membership, financial performance, and on‑the‑ground work at its pilot site, Camp Altiplano in Spain. The report opens with inspirational notes from founder John D. Liu and Supervisory Board Chair François De Keuleneer, emphasizing a collaborative, open‑source model for large‑scale ecological restoration and climate‑resilience. It then details ERC’s short history, the transition to a Dutch ANBI‑registered charity, its sociocratic‑inspired governance, and the establishment of a Supervisory Board and an Advisory Council. Communication channels (website, newsletters, social media) and a 2017 member survey are summarized, showing a growing base of >400 members in 30+ countries and preferences for courses, webinars, and meet‑ups. The outlook for 2018 focuses on expanding membership, securing larger donors, launching a “100 Founding Friends” campaign, and scaling the camp model globally. The core operational narrative describes the creation of Camp Altiplano: land lease, workshop construction, design and implementation of restoration measures (soil de‑compaction, compost, swales, water management), a kitchen garden, and volunteer life. A roster of 16 long‑term volunteers and partnerships with local organisations are listed. Financial statements present total income of €133,420 (52 % direct donations, 27 % online, 20 % crowdfunding) and expenses (36 % camp, 28 % salaries, 30 % retained cash), with a net surplus of €40,239. The report concludes with balance‑sheet details, profit‑and‑loss, and a brief audit note. Overall, the document showcases ERC’s mission to build open, community‑driven restoration camps, its early successes, challenges, and a roadmap for scaling the model.
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Founder's Vision: Open‑Source, Community‑Driven Restoration Camps
John D. Liu’s inspirational note outlining the dream of globally distributed camps that combine seed saving, composting, water management, and collaborative learning to address climate change and social resilience.