Michael Lee Environmental Foundation
History
The foundation has been operating under the name Michael Lee Environmental Foundation (in his memory and honor) since 2006. Before 2006 the organization was known as Terrassist. Terrassist was incorporated as a Private non-profit 501 (c) 3 by Michael in 1999. The organization under Michael’s direction concentrated on raising environmental awareness through education scholarships, organized outdoor events, along with garden and recycling support in the greater Santa Cruz area where Michael lived. After his death, Michael’s vision was continued by family, loved ones and friends. In late 2005 the Board of Terrassist decided to concentrate the operation in San Jose, California where the foundation currently resides. There are currently 12 volunteer Board Directors and one Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for full-time management of the organization with direction from the Board. Board meetings are held once a month. We maintain a Private non-profit 501 (c) 3 Foundation status.
Michael Lee
1956 - 2001
Michael Lee was born in 1956 in Sacramento, California. He spent his childhood in several towns throughout the Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley. Michael set out for San Jose, California to enter into the electronics world of Silicon Valley. He worked his way from the bottom up through a number of companies until finally at the age of 42 he was financially able to leave his employer, Cisco Systems, to head in a new direction.
Michael had said on a number of occasions that someday it would be pay back time. He wanted to give back to this world for all of the good things that had come his way and do it in a responsible manner.
One of Michael’s new projects was to establish a foundation that would pursue ways to help in the conservation and preservation of our natural environment. He named the foundation Terra-assist and completed the legal documentation and funding. He was beginning to develop several projects and scholarship programs, but unfortunately, at age 45 he died in a surfing accident.
Although Michael left no wife or children, he did leave family and many friends who lovingly remember him for his willingness to reach out to those in need. Michael was a leader who lived his life with passion and absolute fearlessness, and he is greatly missed.
In late 2005, in memory of Michael, the Board of Directors for Terra-assist renamed the foundation Michael Lee Environmental Foundation, in his honor.
Currently, the Michael Lee Environmental Foundation is working on several environmental education projects and continues with various scholarship awards. Along with the mission to support environmental endeavors, Michael Lee Environmental Foundation is following in the path of its founder – to give back by supporting conservation and preservation projects that educate people about our natural environment.