Ayuda International · EarthX

Ayuda and EarthX

EarthX brings people together. Every spring in Dallas, the world’s largest environmental gathering has connected Ayuda with prime ministers, scientists, students and Rotarians from around the world, and it has grown into forests from the Arctic Circle to the Caribbean.

A special thank you

Thank you, Trammell S. Crow

Trammell S. Crow founded Earth Day Texas, which became EarthX, on a simple belief: that people from every part of society, left and right, business and nonprofit, young and old, can solve environmental problems together. Since Steve Bender first came to EarthX in 2022, Trammell has opened his stages, his table and his home to Ayuda and to Rotary.

To say thank you, Ayuda dedicates forests in his name, one every year. They are living gifts that will keep growing long after the conversations that started them.

3Forests for Trammell S. Crow: the Arctic, Panama and, next, MexicoPlanted and protected through Ayuda International and its partners

The Trammell S. Crow forests

From the Arctic Circle to the Caribbean

Forest No. 1: Crow Forest, Finnish LaplandOn a September 2025 trip to the Nordic countries, Steve met the Finnish forest company Carboreal, which offered to plant and register a Rotary forest near Rovaniemi, on the edge of the Arctic Circle. Steve proposed dedicating it to Trammell, and Trammell’s office chose the name: “Crow Forest, please!” About 50 acres are planted and legally protected for more than 70 years, and are expected to capture about 13,000 tons of carbon dioxide over the life of the forest. Rotarians funded it to offset their travel to EarthX, and the Certificate of Title was presented at EarthX 2026.
Forest No. 2: Trammell S. Crow Rare Tree Forest, Bocas del Toro, PanamaBorn from conversations at EarthX 2026 with Panama’s Ministry of Environment, this two acre forest of rare native trees such as Cocobolo and Nazareno was planted on August 6, 2026 at Dolphin Bay, next to the Bocatorito school. More than 50 Rotarians from six countries planted over 1,000 trees of more than 50 native species, while Ayuda volunteers taught oral health to the children next door.
Forest No. 3: coming to MexicoThe next Trammell S. Crow forest is planned for Mexico, tied to our pollinator projects, Monarchs Without Borders and Pollinators Without Borders, which protect the forests where monarch butterflies spend the winter and build pollinator gardens with Rotary clubs across borders.

On the EarthX stage

The Environmental Xperience at EarthX

What began in 2023 as the RotaryXperience, a Rotary pavilion and blue stage at Fair Park, has grown into the Environmental Xperience: several days of stages, youth presentations and partnerships inside EarthX. In 2026 it ran April 19 to 22 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, with more than 100 countries represented, a keynote by Past Rotary International President Barry Rassin, student leaders presenting their projects, and the Crow Forest award presented on stage.

2022Steve attends EarthX for the first time, joins the Climate of Unity roundtable and meets Trammell S. Crow.
2023The first RotaryXperience at EarthX, with high school eco presentations and a fireside chat on the blue stage.
2024Steve hosts Partnering for the Goals day, opened by Trammell S. Crow, and speakers like Tracy Stayton share the Rotary stage.
2025Steve presents at the Island Resilience Summit, where he meets Lord Fakafanua of Tonga.
2026The Environmental Xperience, the Crow Forest award, and a VIP dinner for Tonga’s Prime Minister that launched The Tonga Project.

EarthX brings people together

The amazing people we have met

Lord FakafanuaPrime Minister of Tonga. Met at the 2025 Island Resilience Summit and honored at a VIP dinner in 2026. Together we are building The Tonga Project.

Panama’s Ministry of EnvironmentA conversation at EarthX 2026 became a partnership and the Trammell S. Crow Rare Tree Forest in Bocas del Toro.

Patrick EsquerreFounder of La Madeleine and a Kids Vision for Life champion. EarthX reunited him with Steve in 2023.

Tracy StaytonFounder of the 4tunate Movement, speaker on the Rotary stage and co-organizer of the Women of Impact summit.

Barry RassinPast President of Rotary International and keynote speaker at the 2026 Environmental Xperience.

CarborealThe Finnish forest company that planted Crow Forest in the Arctic.

ESRAGThe Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, partner on The Galapagos Project and The Tonga Project.

Student leadersYoung presenters who brought their climate projects to the stage and now grow with Growing Green Leaders.

The Tonga Project The Macaw Project and our trees Tracy Stayton

Ayuda and EarthX

Thank you, Trammell S. Crow

From the Arctic Circle to the Caribbean

The Environmental Xperience at EarthX

The amazing people we have met

Join us at a clinic