Steve Fitch, Eden’s Founder & CEO, announces retirement

Dr. Stephen Fitch, Founder of Eden Reforestation Projects, an international landscape restoration nonprofit organization, has retired from his position as CEO of the organization. Fitch, 65, has led Eden since its founding in 2005. Mark Usellis, Eden COO, will be acting CEO, while the board conducts a search for Fitch’s replacement.

“Steve Fitch has been Eden’s visionary and driver,” said Mike Kilbane, Chairman of the Board. “He started with an identified need for restoration in Ethiopia and grew it into a global reforestation standard-bearer that is transforming communities and landscapes in 11 countries. Through Steve’s vision and efforts, Eden has helped to bring ecosystems back to health, contributed to the mitigation of the effects of climate change, and provided the dignity of employment to people deprived of opportunity because of environmental degradation. The Board and organization are grateful for his passion and dedication to the mission.”

Eden is a 501(c)(3) organization supported by more than 1,200 companies and thousands of individual donors. It is known for its mission, which uses long-term, fair-wage employment to strengthen communities and create incentives for the long-term preservation of the forests it plants. Eden is also sole owner of a subsidiary, Compassionate Carbon, formed in 2021, which is in the early stages of developing landscape-scale carbon projects.