About - Greenleaf Education Costa Rica, S.A.

About Us

Interdisciplinary Thinking is the Core of Our Approach

Our Board of Advisers

Dr. Sam Ham – is Professor Emeritus of communication psychology and international conservation in the University of Idaho’s Department of Conservation Social Sciences. Sam’s research has focused on the role of interpretation in parks, protected areas and sustainable tourism destinations and in applying communication theory to heritage and nature-based tour guiding, travelers’ philanthropy, and other free-choice learning settings. In the past 20 years, his research on the strategic use of interpretation to enhance visitor experience and to influence visitor behavior has led to significant advances in protected area management across the globe.am has authored two of the world’s leading texts on applied interpretation, including his newest book, Interpretation—Making a Difference on Purpose and the worldwide best-seller, Environmental Interpretation—A Practical Guide for People with Big Ideas and Small Budgets, both of which have been published in four languages.

He also has authored nearly 400 other publications and has presented in excess of 50 keynote addresses at professional conferences and symposia. Sam’s training in applied communication has reached more than 50,000 people across North America and in 48 other countries. He is the recipient of numerous national and international awards for his teaching and training, including the NAI Fellow Award, University of Idaho’s Excellence in Outreach Award, and the University of Idaho’s Excellence in Teaching Award, the highest honor bestowed by the university on one of its own faculty members. In 2007, he was honored by Clemson University with the William C. Everhart Award for his lifetime contributions to environmental and heritage interpretation across the world.

Denecia Grant is a born Trinidadian- American based Environmental Educator (EE), who is dedicated to teaching about conservation and has a profound respect for the natural world. As an Environmental Educator she has organized numerous efforts to teach how the natural environment functions, and more particularly, how human beings can manage behavior and ecosystems to live sustainably.
Mrs. Grant had the opportunity to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Forestry at the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry. After completion, she pursued a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, United States of America.
Her professional journey began as an Associate Professional at the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (W.A.S.A.), where she assisted with the initial phase of a now flourishing water conservation program known as “Adopt-A-River-Trinidad and Tobago”.
Denecia Grant steered her focus towards project-based initiatives such as community-wide recycling and greening initiatives. Denecia later stood at the forefront of the first National Consumer Behavior Change Campaign in Trinidad and Tobago as the Project Manager. She spent this time coordinating a nation-wide shift into living sustainably by conserving water and energy, reducing consumption, and investing in the local economy.
In Michigan, she is now valued as a consumer behavior change and conservation speaker amongst being a science educator and professionally a high school Dean of Students.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Greenleaf Education Costa Rica does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), physical or mental ability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers or vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, members, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, consultants, and in our dealings with the general public.

Greenleaf Education Costa Rica does not discriminate in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, training, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), physical or mental ability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Welcome to Greenleaf Education Costa Rica

The goal of Greenleaf Education Costa Rica is to make the greatest possible impact on creating a better future through educatiing and assisting people who are on their own paths forward – students or landowners, teachers or community leaders, activists or business owners.

Applied Solutions to Real-Life Problems

We have gathered and syntesized decades of experience from leaders in the environmental and sustainable development movements and have identified the most important skills and tools needed to build success and leadership.

We are committed to giving our students the support of a community of mentors, collaborators, and friends with proven effectiveness to help each student or client grow professionally.

IKIGAI - Passion + Mission + Profession + Vocation

Steven Greenleaf is the Founder and Director of Greenleaf Education Costa Rica.

He believes Greenleaf Education Costa Rica can best be a part of building a better future by helping others become more effective and successful in creating a sustainable, prosperous, and just future. Interdisciplinary approaches to environmental and sustainable development problem-solving are his specialty.

Originally from Berkeley, California, Steven has worked as an educator, natural resource management consultant, environmental policy analyst and advisor, builder, rancher, and firefighter.

Steven was the the senior Technical Advisor to the Minsiter of Legal Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago where his duties included policy development and analysis, project planning and management, and public speaking. He conceived, planned and implemented the “One T&T” National Consumer Environmental Education Campaign.

Steven was the Chairman of the Congress of the People Green Policy Committee for three years.

Steven was President of the Caribbean Institute of Sustainability, a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable development and environmental protection of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region. He has presented at international, regional, and national forums related to the environment, energy, green building, and sustainable development. He has provided professional consulting services to the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean Development Bank, and the private sector.

He taught Herriot Watt University Sustainability in Civil Engineering for the School of Higher Education – Trinidad. Mr. Greenleaf was Managing Director of Trinity EcoDevelopmet Ltd., a construction services and environmental consulting firm in Trinidad and Tobago. Steven was the Vice-President for Public Relations of the Trinidad and Tobago Green Building Council.

Steve studied Conservation of Natural Resouces at the University of California – Berkeley, and Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation at Humboldt State University.