Jump to content

Conservation International

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Conservation International
Formation1987
FounderSpencer Beebe and Peter Seligmann
TypeInternational NGO
Focusclimate change, marine conservation, sustainable development, conservation science, conservation finance
Location
Interim CEO
Daniela Raik
Acting Head of Conservation
Kevin Alie
Wes Bush, Chair

Harrison Ford, Vice Chair

Peter Seligmann, Emeritus Chair
RevenueFY 2024: $297 million[1]
Employees1,000 in 28 countries
Websitewww.conservation.org

Conservation International (CI) is an American nonprofit environmental organization headquartered in Crystal City, Virginia.[2]

As of 2025, CI's stated mission is "to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity," through protecting biodiversity hotspots, partnering with the communities that rely on them economically, engaging in field research and supporting environmentally-friendly policies.[3] The organization employs 1,700 people and works with more than 2,000 partners in 29 countries. CI has helped support 1,200 protected areas and interventions across 77 countries, protecting more than 13 million square kilometers (5 million square miles) of land and sea.[4][5] CI was founded in 1987 by Spencer Beebe and Peter Seligmann.

History

[edit]

Conservation International was founded in 1987 with the goal of protecting nature for the benefit of people.[6] That year, it signed the first world's first Debt-for-nature swap with the Government of Bolivia. Under that agreement, Conservation International acquired US $650,000 of Bolivian Debt at a discounted price of $100,000. In return, Bolivia provided the Beni Biological Station Biosphere Reserve with maximum legal protection and created three adjacent protected areas. Despite early difficulties, the debt swap mechanism came to be viewed as an effective tool to mitigate Climate change while supporting the economies of Developing countries.[7][8]

In 1989, CI formally committed to the protection of biodiversity hotspots, identifying 36 such hotspots around the world and contributing to their protection. The model of protecting hotspots became a key way for organizations to do conservation work.[9]

On July 1, 2017, Peter Seligmann stepped down as CEO of CI and a new executive team made up of senior CI leadership was announced. As of 2025, Daniela Raik is Interim CEO of the organization, while Robert J. Fisher, the Chair of Gap Inc., is interim Chair of the Board.[10] Conservation International Epidemiologist Dr. Neil Vora was named to the 2025 Time 100.[11]

Growth and mission shift

[edit]

After its founding, the organization's leadership grew to believe that CI's focus on biodiversity conservation was inadequate to protect nature and those who depended on it. CI updated its mission in 2008 to focus explicitly on the connections between human well-being and natural ecosystems. Since then, the organization has expanded its work with a stronger focus on marine conservation; scientific research; conservation finance; and partnerships with governments, corporations and Indigenous and local communities. [12]

In FY2024, CI reported expenditures of more than US$297 million.[13][14]

CI receives high ratings from philanthropic watchdog organizations, with an A rating from Charity Watch.[15] Charity Navigator awarded CI a 100% score for accountability and transparency.[16]

Approach to conservation

[edit]

The foundation of CI's work is "science, partnership and field demonstration." The organization has scientists, policy workers and other conservationists on the ground in nearly 30 countries. It also relies heavily on thousands of local partners.[17]

CI divides its work into three priority areas: protecting and restoring natural areas in order to mitigate climate change, protecting ocean areas and Sustainable fisheries and expanding conservation economies.[18]

CI works with governments, universities, NGOs and the private sector with the aim of replicating its work on a larger scale. By showing how conservation can work at all scales, CI aims to make the protection of nature a key consideration in economic development decisions around the world.[19]

Since its inception, CI claims to have protected more than 5 million square kilometers (13 million square miles) of land and ocean areas while also improving the management of sustainable fisheries and restoring mangroves, which mitigate the impacts of climate change.[20] CI is a founding member of The Blue Nature Alliance, an initiative launched in 2020 that aims to protect an additional 18 million square kilometers (7 million square miles) of ocean area, bringing 30% of the world's oceans under protection by 2030.[21]

The organization has been active in United Nations discussions on issues such as climate change[22] and biodiversity,[23] and its scientists present at international conferences and workshops. As of January 2025, Conservation International claims to have published more than 1,300 peer-reviewed articles, in journals like Science, Nature, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.[24]

Conservation International works in partnership with many prominent companies to reduce their impact on the environment and support the protection of nature. The organization claims to have worked with Starbucks, Walmart, P&G and Apple, among others.[25] In 2020, CI began a new partnership with Mastercard and World Resources Institute (WRI) to support the Priceless Planet Coalition in its goal to restore 100 million trees in critical forests around the world.[26]

Criticism

[edit]

CI has been criticized for links to companies such as BP, Cargill, Chevron, Monsanto and Shell.[27][28] CI has defended its work with the private sector, arguing that change requires working with corporations that have large environmental impacts.[29]

A 2008 article in The Nation claimed that the organization had attracted $6 million for marine conservation in Papua New Guinea, but that the funds were used for "little more than plush offices and first class travel."[30] CI has touted its operations in Papua New Guinea, claiming that they have contributed to new scientific discoveries and the establishment of new protected areas.[31] As of 2016, CI no longer works directly in Papua New Guinea.[32]

In 2011, Conservation International was targeted by a group of journalists from London-based magazine Don't Panic who posed as an American company and asked if the charity could "raise [their] green profile." Options outlined by the representative of Conservation International (CI) included assisting with the company's green PR efforts, membership of a business forum in return for a fee, and sponsorship packages where the company could potentially invest money in return for being associated with conservation activities. Conservation International agreed to help the company find an "endangered species mascot". Film footage shows the Conservation International employee suggesting a vulture and North African birds of prey as a possible endangered species mascot for the company.[33][34] CI contends that these recordings were heavily edited to remove elements that would have cast CI in a more favorable light, while using other parts of the video out of context to paint an inaccurate and incomplete picture of CI's work with the private sector.[35]

In May and June 2013, Survival International reported that an indigenous Bushman tribe in Botswana was threatened with eviction from their ancestral land in order to create a wildlife corridor[36] known as the Western Kgalagadi Conservation Corridor.[37] A Botswana government representative denied this.[38] A May press release from CI said, "Contrary to recent reports, Conservation International (CI) has not been involved in the implementation of conservation corridors in Botswana since 2011," and asserted that CI had always supported the San Bushmen and their rights.[39]

In December of 2021, Sapiens magazine reported similar issues in Peru. The Alto Mayo Conservation Initiative in Peru is managed by CI and has brokered the sale of carbon offset credits to the Disney Company to offset their cruise ships' activities. This may be leading to the eviction of local and indigenous peoples in the area.[40]

Leadership

[edit]

Executives

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Paint It Wild: Paint & See Activity Book (Discover The Rainforest, Vol. 1) (1991), introduction by Mike Roberts and Russell Mittermeier, written by Gad Meiron and Randall Stone, illustrated by Donna Reynolds and Tim Racer[citation needed]
  • Sticker Safari: Sticker And Activity Book (Discover The Rainforest, Vol. 2) (1991), introduction by Mike Roberts and Russell Mittermeier, written by Gad Meiron and Randall Stone, illustrated by Donna Reynolds and Tim Racer[citation needed]
  • Wonders In The Wild: Activity Book (Discover The Rainforest, Vol. 3) (1991), introduction by Mike Roberts and Russell Mittermeier, written by Gad Meiron and Randall Stone, illustrated by Donna Reynolds and Tim Racer[citation needed]
  • Ronald McDonald and the Jewel of the Amazon Kingdom: Storybook (Discover The Rainforest, Vol. 4) (1991), introduction by Mike Roberts and Russell Mittermeier, written by Gad Meiron and Randall Stone, illustrated by Donna Reynolds and Tim Racer[citation needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Conservation International (2024). “<a href="https://www.conservation.org/annual-report" rel="nofollow">2024 Annual Report</a>.” Conservation International. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  2. ^ "About Us". Conservation International. Archived from the original on 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  3. ^ "About Conservation International". Conservation International. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  4. ^ "About Us". Conservation International. Archived from the original on 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  5. ^ "Annual Report". Conservation International. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  6. ^ {{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-seligmann/disconnection-from-nature_b_1435769.html%7Cfirst=Peter%7Clast=Seligmann%7Ctitle=Disconnection From Nature, a Dangerous Illusion|website=[[HuffPost2012 |date=19 April 2012 }}
  7. ^ "Unasylva - No. 188 - Funding sustainable forestry - Debt-for-nature swaps: a decade of experience and new directions for the future". www.fao.org. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  8. ^ "Climate finance: What are debt-for-nature swaps and how can they help countries?". World Economic Forum. Archived from the original on 2025-09-29. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  9. ^ Roach, John. "Conservationists Name Nine New "Biodiversity Hotspots"". National Geographic. Archived from the original on April 6, 2005. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  10. ^ "Conservation International Announces Leadership Transition to Maximize Future Impact". Conservation International. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  11. ^ Clark, Helen (Sep 30, 2025). "Time 100 Next - Neil Vora". Time.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ "About Us". Conservation International. Archived from the original on 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  13. ^ "2020 Annual Report". Conservation International. Archived from the original on 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  14. ^ "990 Finder | Candid". app.candid.org. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  15. ^ "Conservation International". Charity Watch. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  16. ^ "Conservation International". Charity Navigator. Archived from the original on 2007-08-04. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  17. ^ "Conservation International Annual Report 2014" (PDF). Conservation International. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
  18. ^ "About Conservation International". www.conservation.org. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
  19. ^ "Conservation International: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation". Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  20. ^ "Doubling Ocean Protection". www.conservation.org. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  21. ^ "Blue Nature Alliance". www.conservation.org. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  22. ^ Biello, David. "Cancun Talks Yield Climate Compromise". Scientific American. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  23. ^ Walsh, Bryan (2010-10-29). "Wildlife: Nations Agree on a Historic Deal for Biodiversity in Nagoya". Time. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  24. ^ "Peer-reviewed Journal Articles". www.conservation.org. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  25. ^ "Our Corporate Engagements". www.conservation.org. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  26. ^ "Priceless Planet Coalition | Environmental Sustainability Platform". www.mastercard.us. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  27. ^ Conservation International 'agreed to greenwash arms company'. The Ecologist. Retrieved on 2013-08-24.
  28. ^ The Wrong Kind of Green. The Nation (2010-03-04). Retrieved on 2013-08-24.
  29. ^ "Partnerships for the Planet: Why We Must Engage Corporations". HuffPost. 19 May 2011.
  30. ^ Dowie, Mark. "Wrong Path to Conservation in Papua New Guinea | The Nation". The Nation. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  31. ^ "Community-Driven Conservation in Papua New Guinea".
  32. ^ "In Papua New Guinea, protection of nature hinges on local support". www.conservation.org. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  33. ^ "Conservation International 'agreed to greenwash arms company'". The Ecologist. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 2019-06-07.
  34. ^ Zeller, Tom Jr. (2011-05-17). "Green Group Duped By Video Sting". HuffPost. Retrieved 2019-06-07.
  35. ^ Seligmann, Peter (2011-05-19). "Partnerships for the Planet: Why We Must Engage Corporations". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  36. ^ Bushmen face imminent eviction for 'wildlife corridor'. Survival International. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  37. ^ "Conservation Corridors in South-western Botswana" (PDF). ffem.fr. Conservation International. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  38. ^ "Botswana denies plans to 'evict' Bushmen". news24.com. 2013-05-27. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  39. ^ "Statement of Conservation International on Alleged Relocations of San People in Botswana". Conservation International. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  40. ^ "When Carbon Credits Drive People From Their Homes". 9 December 2021. Retrieved 14 Jun 2024.
  41. ^ "Our People". Conservation International. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  42. ^ a b "Board of Directors". www.conservation.org. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Conservation_International&oldid=1319411891"