Working with Communities
to Improve Environmental Health
Who is TIFO?
We are an interdisciplinary team of scientists who apply environmental cleanup and health intervention methodologies developed in US mining districts to hazardous sites in low and middle-income countries. These include artisanal mining and recycling sites, industrial operations, and legacy sites.
Our work addresses environmental health issues in low-income countries who have inherited environmental disease exported from high-income nations. The struggles to achieve healthy communities are real; our cleanup model includes community engagement; training and employing local workers; adapting proven interventions to local socio-economic realities; securing diverse funding for activities; and including responsible government and industry contributions that are sustainable and attentive to the underlying poverty that facilitated the original polluting activities. We focus on multiple impact areas related to environmental health issues.
PURPOSE
We believe all people have the right to live and work in a healthy environment.
(1)_edited.jpg)
MISSION
To safeguard environmental health by providing scientifically sound education and workforce development that build leadership, catalyze change, and are grounded in local knowledge.
VISION
A world where all communities have the knowledge and skills to protect future generations and maintain livelihoods.
Values
SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY
The foundations of our work are built on uncompromised scientific expertise.
KNOWLEDGE SHARING
The development and implementation of programs must be locally-driven and sustained, with transdisciplinary collaborations rooted in mutual respect.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
We value an environmentally just world where there is equitable access to a safe environment.
Goals
BUILD
CAPACITY
Build capacity in communities and governments to improve environmental health.
COLLABORATE
Collaborate with leadership to facilitate sustainable, locally-driven solutions.
ADAPT METHODOLOGIES
Adapt scientifically-rigorous methods to meet local socio-economic realities.
TerraGraphics International Foundation is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.