Protecting Earth’s Genetic Future
We co-create conservation initiatives by braiding biotechnology, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and a decentralized scientific approach.
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Accelerating New Genomic Research and Locally Led Approaches for Biodiversity Conservation
Wise Ancestors embraces a two-eyed seeing approach to biodiversity research employing multiple knowledge systems in the design of ethical, impactful conservation projects. Through collaborations utilizing cutting-edge biotechnology, guided by Traditional Ecological Knowledges, that prioritizes benefit sharing with communities, Wise Ancestors seeks to be a resource and a partner for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, honoring their responsibility to other than human relations in the lands and territories they steward.
Latest Conservation Challenges
Our unique approach creates Conservation Challenges open to collaborators and crowdfunding on our Platform.
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Reviving the Iconic Bermuda Cedar Tree
The Bermuda Cedar once blanketed the island, anchoring ecosystems and shaping culture. Its cultural value historically included shipbuilding and construction, while ecologically, its broad root system imparts resilience from Bermuda's winds, and it's berries and branches provide food and nesting sites for birds. We aim to develop the first genetic test to identify true Bermuda Cedars and help repopulate the endemic and Critically Endangered species across the archipelago.
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Unlocking the Mystery of the Hidden Antpitta
In the northern highlands of Antioquia lives a secretive bird from the genus Grallaria, still unnamed, yet on the verge of disappearing. As research unfolds, early signs suggest it may be critically endangered. This Conservation Challenge supports local scientists working to uncover its identity and secure its future.
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Saving the Montañerito Paisa
Once thought extinct, the Antioquia Brushfinch or Montañerito Paisa lives only in the Antioquia region of the Colombian Tropical Andes. Now Critically Endangered, its survival depends on grassroots action. This Conservation Challenge supports a bold, community-driven effort to protect the bird and the biodiversity it represents.
Our Conservation Platform
Take part in crowdfunding campaigns for Conservation Challenges co-developed with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and/or apply to be a scientific collaborator and get compensated for your work
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We focus on people to
co-create Conservation Challenges.
Our time in Antioquia with scientists from Instituto Humboldt and Neotropical Innovation taught us valuable lessons that will inform not only our work in Colombia but also our global conservation strategy. This journey reinforced our belief that true change starts with community engagement, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to protecting our world’s most vulnerable species and habitats.
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Working with the local community of Bermuda – including NGO BioQuest, the Bermuda Department of Culture, and Bermuda National Trust, we are helping build local genomic capacity and supporting the transfer of ecological knowledge to the next generation.
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Our Approach
We are reframing the space where biodiversity conservation happens .
Genomic Sequencing
& Biobanking
Biotechnology tools like genome sequencing and biobanking help us understand and conserve species. Genome sequencing reads the “DNA code" unique to each species, while biobanking stores living samples, like seeds or tissues, for future study or restoration.
Ethical Collaboration & Support for Local Initiatives
Each Conservation Challenge is co-designed with IPs or LCs and includes funding for a local initiative determined by the IP or LC such as ecological stewardship or land back projects, training or capacity building..
Open to Collaboration
Wise Ancestors is committed to the development of new modes of collaboration, engagement and partnership with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities for the care and stewardship of past and future heritage collections. Our projects respect Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities rights to self-determination, data sovereignty, and data governance by ensuring that free, prior and informed consent and mutually agreed terms are obtained before any project can start. We utilize Local Contexts notices and labels to support this commitment. For more information, visit the Local Contexts Website.
Decentralized Science (DeSci)
for Conservation Innovation
By leveraging decentralized science (DeSci), an emerging movement that uses decentralized project coordination, technologies and governance to make scientific research more open, transparent, and community-driven, we are pioneering transparent, open, and collaborative conservation. This approach democratizes funding, research, and participation, making conservation efforts more scalable, inclusive, cutting edge, and responsive.
Affiliated with the
Earth Biogenome Project
As an affiliated project of the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), Wise Ancestors contributes to a global effort to sequence all of Earth’s eukaryotic life, ensuring that conservation efforts are supported by the most advanced genomic data.
Why conserving
biodiversity matters
The 6th Mass Extinction threatens over 1 million species, endangering ecosystems and human survival.
Loss of a beneficial protective environment can increase the risk of zoonotic disease spread.
Loss of natural resources destabilizes global and local economies.
Intact ecosystems are more resilient to natural disasters such as wildfires and flooding.
An abundance of biodiversity resources helps steer emerging technologies toward positive outcomes
Exposure to biodiverse environments reduces stress, improves mental health and facilitates community bonding, shared experiences, and strengthened relationships.
Nature inspires art, culture, and scientific innovation.
Biodiversity is central to many cultural practices, foods, and traditions, and enables connection to the Earth.
The Latest Stories
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Donate
Contribute to help Wise Ancestors operate, or to directly advance efforts to safeguard Earth’s genetic diversity.
All contributions are tax-deductible for US taxpayers.