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Stephen Brooks grew up in North Miami, Florida and has been living in Punta Mona, Costa Rica since 1995. After an eye opening trip to Costa Rica, Stephen was inspired to make a positive impact on the planet started Costa Rican Adventures, an educational eco-tour company striving to raise environmental awareness. The company's goal was to not only show the beauty and wonders of Costa Rica but to highlight the environmental issues facing this extraordinary country. After identifying and enumerating the problems there, Stephen wanted to present possible solutions. In 1997 he founded the Punta Mona Center for Sustainability and Education. Located "off the grid" on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Punta Mona grows over 150 varieties of tropical fruits, nuts and spices, produces all its electrical needs from solar panels and obtains methane gas from the septic system to fuel the kitchen. Thousands of students, interns and guests have been educated at Punta Mona over the past 12 years, and the site has become known as a world leader in tropical, sustainable agriculture and sustainable living techniques.
Dismayed by the large quantity of non-renewable energy he was consuming in his travels between the United States and Costa Rica, in 2003, Stephen founded the Sustainable Solutions Caravan, a mission-driven, nonprofit organization promoting sustainable living through the use of alternative fuels. For two consecutive years, Stephen and his team of eco-missionaries drove several buses running on recycled vegetable oil from San Francisco, California to Costa Rica. These caravans touched millions of lives throughout the United States, Mexico and Central America through personal contact, front-page newspaper articles and countless international news programs.
Recognizing the need to support local farmers, Stephen, in 2005, co-founded Kopali Organics, a company which sources and develops sustainable, organic products from small farms and small farm cooperatives around the world and is distributed through Whole Foods Market in the United States. Whole Foods has been a valuable ally and supporter of Kopali's mission: "Good for you, the farmer and the planet we all share". Kopali Organics, in only its third year, received the Social Responsibility Award for the Natural Foods Industry at Expo East in September, 2007. Translating his knowledge of alternative fuel into action, Stephen was the cofounder of the Conscious Goods Alliance. The "Veggie Bus" travels the country as an eco showroom featuring coconut floors, bamboo paneling, natural latex cushions covered in hemp, recycled paper countertops, an alcohol fueled stove and solar panels providing electricity. The bus has also brought together fourteen conscious companies as sponsors, working together to promote "Conscious Capitalism"
In 2006, Stephen envisioned and co-founded Kopali Communities, an ultra ecological developer and builder of planned communities in Costa Rica. The first project, Valle de Machuca, is a 45-acre community featuring a slow sand filtered water supply system, "Living Systems" waste disposal, alternative energies and permaculture and organic food supplies.
Stephen's passion lies in seeking more sustainable ways to live our daily lives without compromising quality of life. He is also passionate about cooking and eating unusual and exotic foods and he specializes in tropical fruit trees. These passions have taken Stephen around the world in search of experiences in sustainable living culminating in the creation and hosting of "Edible Adventures" for the Travel Channel in 2006. This one-hour special swept the ratings for the night and garnered several awards. The show was fun, educational and showcased Stephen’s passion for life, food and sustainability.
Synopsis of Eco/Green Living Experience:
- 1995 founded Costa Rican Adventures, eco student travel company
- 1997 founded Punta Mona Center for Sustainability and Education, 100 acre organic farm and learning center
- 2003-2004 founded Conscious Goods Caravan, buses running on recycled vegetable oil between San Francisco and San Jose, Costa Rica.
- 2005 co founded Kopali Organics, an importer and distributor of organic products from small farmers around the world
- 2005 co founded Conscious Goods Alliance, an eco showroom bus running on recycled vegetable oil travelling the country supporting sustainability, alternative fuels and organic food.
- 2006 co founded Kopali Communities, developing ultra eco planned communities in Costa Rica
- 2006 hosted "Edible Adventures" for the Travel Channel
Here are some more resources:
6 minute promo for Edible Adventures
A short that Lime did on the Veggie bus!!
The Story of Kopali Organics
The Story of Kopali Communities
Costa Rican Adventures
Punta Mona Center
Kopali Organics
Kopali Communities
Conscious Goods Alliance
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