CCRL is a bioregional hub demonstrating regenerative practices that restore ecosystems, revitalize local economies, and transform human well-being. Our work extends beyond sustainability; we focus on creating systems that replenish, enhance, and evolve, ensuring that every action leads to greater biodiversity, economic opportunity, and human resilience.

  • ✔ Living Regeneration in Action: Located on 40 acres of ecologically significant land adjacent to the St. Sebastian River and a 22,000-acre nature preserve, CCRL integrates land conservation, economic innovation, and human transformation into a cohesive, regenerative model.

    ✔ Restoring and Improving Natural Systems: Our regenerative land management programs actively improve biodiversity, soil health, and water systems through wetland restoration, agroforestry, and sustainable watershed management.

    ✔ Catalyzing Economic Growth Through Regeneration: We stimulate local economies by creating platforms for small businesses, artisans, and wellness entrepreneurs to flourish through events, marketplaces, and education.

    ✔ Regenerative Wellness & Education: CCRL creates transformative experiences through immersive retreats, wellness programs, and scholarships that help individuals reconnect with themselves and their environment.

    By combining environmental restoration, community empowerment, and economic revitalization, CCRL actively builds systems that are not just sustainable, but exponentially better—for the land, for businesses, and for people

  • ✔ Regenerate land and biodiversity by restoring wetlands, expanding conservation efforts, and implementing regenerative agriculture that improves natural systems.

    ✔ Revitalize local economies by supporting small businesses, artisans, and entrepreneurs through community-driven events, partnerships, and business incubator programs.

    ✔ Elevate human well-being by offering transformative wellness experiences and educational scholarships that empower individuals to become catalysts for positive change.

    ✔ Advance wildlife conservation through strategic partnerships like Wild Florida to expand rescue and rehabilitation efforts and enhance biodiversity protection.

ChoZen Center for Regenerative Living 

Impact Report

2023–2024 | Rooted in Community. Powered by Nature. Built for Change.

Executive Summary

ChoZen Center for Regenerative Living (CCRL) is a nonprofit organization founded to address urgent social, environmental, and health challenges facing Florida and beyond. It emerged from ChoZen Retreat, which over the past two years, has evolved into a regional hub for regenerative agriculture, conservation, wellness, and environmental education—rooted in one of Florida’s most biodiverse ecosystems.

From hosting thousands of guests and volunteers to launching federal grant initiatives and co-producing a national conservation documentary, CCRL has made measurable strides in reconnecting people to nature, restoring ecosystems, and improving community well-being.

Key Highlights from 2023–2024:

  • 7,000+ individuals educated on regenerative living and ecosystem awareness

  • 1,261 lbs of produce grown and 2,000 lbs of food waste composted

  • 339 seniors engaged through urban agriculture via a USDA grant

  • $50,000+ in revenue generated for small businesses through seasonal artisan markets

  • First Volunteer Wildlife Rescue Chapter established in Indian River County

  • Co-produced and donated $100K to Path of the Panther documentary

This report outlines the foundation we’ve built—and invites you to be part of what comes next.

Letter from the Founders

By Tony & Ximena Cho, Co-Founders

Dear Friends, Partners, and Changemakers,

As we reflect on the journey of ChoZen Retreat evolving into the ChoZen Center for Regenerative Living (CCRL), we are filled with deep gratitude—for the land that nurtures us, the community that surrounds us, and the vision that continues to guide us forward.

What began as a sacred refuge for healing and personal transformation has grown into a powerful movement for regeneration, resilience, and restoration. We’ve always believed that true change starts with reconnection—to the Earth, to community, and to purpose. CCRL was born from our shared dream of creating not just a retreat, but a living blueprint for a more harmonious, inspired world.

This past year, we’ve seen what’s possible when we step into that vision together.

We’ve witnessed seniors rekindle their relationship with the land through hands-on farming. We've watched food waste become soil, artisan markets come alive with culture and creativity, and new relationships form around shared meals and learning. We established Indian River County’s first Wildlife Rescue Chapter, and we were honored to co-produce Path of the Panther—a film that amplifies the urgent need to protect what is wild and sacred in Florida.

These are more than milestones. They are signs of what regeneration looks like when it’s alive in community.

As we look ahead, our vision is bold:

  • Protect 1 million acres of the Florida Wildlife Corridor

  • Reach 1,500+ seniors with regenerative food and wellness programming

  • Triple compost production and train 250+ individuals in land stewardship

  • Mentor 3 new regenerative sites across the Americas

  • Launch a real-time impact dashboard to track and amplify our collective progress

We are building more than a place—we are nurturing a movement. And we invite you to be part of it.

Whether you are a donor, a volunteer, a policymaker, an educator, or simply someone who cares—we welcome you to walk alongside us. Let’s co-create a future that is rooted in love, powered by nature, and built for lasting change.

With love and gratitude,
Tony & Ximena Cho
 Co-Founders
ChoZen Center for Regenerative Living
ChoZen Retreat | Future of Cities

Why CCRL Exists

Florida stands at a critical crossroads—where ecological breakdown and chronic illness intersect with opportunity for breakthrough.

The state is home to one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in North America, yet it also faces alarming health challenges:

  • 1 in 3 Floridians is obese

  • Over 1.4 million live with diabetes

  • Rates of heart disease, mental health disorders, and chronic inflammation continue to rise

Meanwhile, nature is under threat:

  • Harmful algal blooms, seagrass die-offs, and urban expansion continue to degrade the landscape

  • Habitat loss and lack of access to clean air, healthy food, and community connection leave many Floridians in crisis

But in every challenge lies an opportunity. CCRL was established to be that opportunity realized—a hub for solutions that restore ecosystems, regenerate land, and reconnect us to what matters most.

Mission Statement

CCRL is a bioregional hub dedicated to demonstrating regenerative practices that protect biodiversity, foster resilience, and empower communities to thrive in balance with nature.


A sanctuary for transformation. A blueprint for the future.

Our Accomplishments


Wildlife Rescue & Conservation

Indian River County is one of Florida’s most ecologically sensitive areas, home to over 2,200 animal species and 2,100 plant species, including 35 endangered or threatened species.

In 2021 alone, 1,100 manatees died due to seagrass loss, and thousands of sea turtles rely on the region for nesting.

Our Response:

  • Established the first Volunteer Wildlife Rescue Chapter in the county

  • Provided meals and support to IRC and Brevard County rescue teams

  • Enabled rapid response and recovery for distressed wildlife

Social Impact

Community Engagement & Education

  • Hosted weekly farm-to-table lunches, soil trainings, and sustainability workshops

  • Delivered 3 public lectures on regenerative agriculture, health, and composting

  • Conducted 5 internal trainings for staff

  • Served 225 meals to low-income seniors and volunteers

  • Co-produced Path of the Panther and donated $100,000 to support the film’s reach and conservation message

  • Reached 100,000+ individuals via social media and newsletters

USDA Grant: Senior Agriculture Education

  • USDA UAIP Grant awarded (2023–2025)

  • Project: Fleet Farming Expansion of Senior-Focused Agriculture Education

  • Goal: Educate 900 seniors and grow 1,000 lbs of produce

  • Progress to date:

    • 339 seniors educated

    • 1,261 lbs of produce grown

  • Partners: IDEAS For Us, The Village of Kashi, By The River Senior Center

Eco-Education & Nature Immersion

  • 52 Saturday Eco Tours offered to the public

  • Over 7,000 individuals exposed to regenerative and ecological practices

    • ~3,000 overnight retreat guests

    • ~1,200 retreat program participants

    • ~3,000 Artisan Market attendees

Environmental Impact

Regenerative Agriculture & Composting

  • 52 Farm Fridays hosted with 200+ volunteers

  • 1,261 lbs of produce and 305 lbs of fruit harvested

  • 2,000 lbs of food waste composted into 1,000 lbs of rich soil

  • 12 native trees planted on sit

Economic Impact

Local Business Growth

  • 6 seasonal Artisan Markets held

  • 25+ small businesses featured per event

  • $50,000+ in vendor revenue generated

  • Supported over 100 local makers, farmers, and wellness entrepreneurs

  • Strengthened local circular economy through accessible event platforms

Grant Funding & Expansion

  • USDA UAIP Grant supported expansion of food access & senior wellness

  • Strengthened collaboration between public, nonprofit, and grassroots networks

  • Built scalable models for regenerative community economies

Partnerships & Recognition

  • Co-produced and funded Path of the Panther, sparking widespread dialogue around wildlife corridors

  • Featured in national conversations on sustainable development and regenerative land use

  • Collaborated with:

    • Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

      • The Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation champions the protection of connected, conserved lands throughout Florida to ensure the survival of native wildlife and the health of natural ecosystems. Their work supports policy, storytelling, and partnerships that advance large-scale land conservation.

    • IDEAS For Us

      • IDEAS For Us is an environmental nonprofit and UN-accredited NGO focused on advancing sustainability through local action. They develop programs that tackle global challenges such as energy, food, water, waste, and ecology through education, workforce training, and community engagement.

    • Fleet Farming

      • Fleet Farming is a highly acclaimed urban agriculture program that transforms lawns and underutilized spaces into productive micro-farms. Operating under IDEAS For Us, it promotes food justice, environmental education, and community access to fresh produce.

    • Wildpath

      • Wildpath uses powerful storytelling and immersive media to inspire conservation and reconnect people to wild Florida. Through partnerships and productions like Path of the Panther, they elevate awareness of environmental issues and advocate for the protection of natural corridors.

    • The Nature Conservancy

      • The Nature Conservancy is one of the world’s leading environmental organizations, working in Florida and beyond to conserve lands and waters for future generations. Their science-based, collaborative approach supports biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

    • Indian River Neighborhood Association (IRNA)

      • The IRNA works to protect the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding natural resources through education, advocacy, and community engagement. Their focus on responsible growth and environmental stewardship aligns with local conservation and sustainability efforts.

    • By The River Senior Center

      • By The River is a nonprofit senior living community focused on providing a healthy, affordable, and environmentally conscious lifestyle for aging adults. They are a key partner in CCRL’s senior-focused agriculture and wellness programs.

    • The Village of Kashi

      • The Village of Kashi is a spiritual and intentional community located along the St. Sebastian River, rooted in ecological stewardship and mindful living. They support sustainable agriculture, interfaith dialogue, and healing through connection to the land.

Looking Ahead: 2025 & Beyond

  • Protect 1 million acres of the Florida Wildlife Corridor

  • Triple compost production and train 250+ in regenerative practices

  • Reach 1,500+ seniors with food and wellness programming

  • Restore 3-acre wildlife rehabilitation zone

  • Launch a real-time impact dashboard to track metrics across programs

  • Mentor 3 regenerative sites across the Americas

  • Partner with CatalystNow and FWC to support corridor-appropriate development

  • Implement SNAP benefits for food access

Join the Movement

Your contribution supports real transformation—from the soil to the soul. Together, we can co-create a future in harmony with nature.

Support Our 2025–2026 Priorities:

  • Protecting 1,000,000 Acres of the Florida Wildlife Corridor

  • Wildlife Rescue & Ecosystem Restoration

  • Wellness & Agricultural Education

  • Real-Time Impact Dashboard

  • Artisan Markets & Business Incubators

  • Food Access through SNAP

  • Regional & Global Partnerships

Contact Us

Tony Cho, Founder
  tcho@focities.com

Octavio Carrillo, Interim Executive Director
octavio@chozencrl.org
+1 (305) 954-3651

Be part of the regeneration. Let’s co-create the future—together.