One Conservancy Science

Dear Friends, 

We are losing biodiversity at an unprecedented rate, with species disappearing faster than we can name them. The ecosystems most at risk are in the places hardest to reach, hardest to monitor and hardest to protect. Everything we have done so far has not been enough. Technology and artificial intelligence (AI) have to be part of what comes next.

The good news is that the tools exist. Over the past two decades, we have built an extraordinary capacity to sense the natural world: satellites, autonomous underwater and aerial vehicles, on-body sensors, camera traps, acoustic recorders, environmental DNA and citizen science platforms. We have built AI systems that can make sense of the data these technologies generate. And with the explosion of large language models, much of this capability has been democratized: though not yet equitably, and not yet everywhere it is needed.

But sensing is not understanding. Moving AI from a tool that speeds up and scales up data collection and processing to one that genuinely understands ecosystems is the frontier that matters now. We may understand the components of ecological systems, but we often lack clarity on how they interact and respond to change—and we lack the decision-support tools to act on that understanding in the field, in real time. Closing this gap requires AI that can model, predict and help evaluate interventions at the scale and complexity of the systems we are trying to protect.

It also requires something harder than better algorithms. The biodiversity crisis is global in scale but intensely local in impact. The communities living closest to the world’s most fragile ecosystems must be partners in the science, not simply subjects of it. And while AI is powerful, it does not naturally respect local knowledge, cultural sovereignty or data provenance. Making it do so is a design choice, one that must be made deliberately and repeatedly.

AI alone will not save the planet. It does not have the care, the judgment or the accumulated wisdom that conservation requires. What it can do is extend human reach: amplify the capacity of the passionate, knowledgeable people who have devoted their lives to this work, generate the understanding they need to act and evaluate the complex, interconnected consequences of the choices we make. The goal is AI as a trusted partner in a fundamentally human endeavor, technology that helps rather than hinders, that leaves the world better rather than littered with e-waste and abandoned pilot projects.

For The Nature Conservancy, this is a profound and urgent opportunity. By incorporating AI thoughtfully, responsibly and in genuine partnership with the communities it serves, TNC can push the frontiers of science for nature and people, build durable capacity across its teams and accelerate impact at the scale this moment demands.

Tanya Berger-Wolf
TNC External Science Advisor
Professor, The Ohio State University
Director, AI and Biodiversity Change (ABC) Global Center (NSF/NSERC)

Dear Colleagues,

As we reach the midpoint of The Nature Conservancy’s 2030 goals, I’m more convinced than ever that science is one of our greatest accelerators. Phase I of the One Conservancy Science (OCS) program laid essential groundwork by connecting and strengthening our global community of around 1,000 scientists and science staff. It built the relationships, established the resources and honed the shared focus that amplifies the power of our research and innovation. It created the cohesion and capacity we need to move as One Conservancy.

Now it’s time to build on that foundation. In 2025, we launched OCS Phase II. It refines our science strategies, expands our capacity and deepens our collaborations internally and externally. We want to ensure the best available science continues to inform and drive TNC’s decisions while moving at the pace demanded by the challenges we face. This also means investing more deeply in people sciences, including social sciences and Indigenous sciences, and advancing our work at the intersection of planetary and human health. These areas of expertise are essential to achieving our goals for both nature and the people and communities who depend on it.

It also means bringing new tools like data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence to the table. Not because they’re trendy, but because they help us make smarter, faster and more equitable decisions. As Tanya Berger-Wolf, one of our external science advisors, often reminds us, AI isn’t some future possibility—it’s already reshaping how science is done. The pace of change is extraordinary, and it’s hard to keep up.

That’s where OCS comes in. We’ve been helping guide TNC’s AI strategy, promoting responsible and ethical use of these tools by science staff and identifying where AI can strengthen our science and decision-making. As we move into 2026 and beyond, OCS will continue to scan that horizon, distilling the signal from the noise and working closely with IT to build awareness, training and capacity so our teams are equipped to use the most relevant methods, tools and technologies in ways that are ethical, effective and mission-driven.

Phase II of OCS represents an evolution in how we support and practice science across TNC. It builds on our long history as a science-based organization and the momentum of Phase I while responding to new challenges and opportunities both within and beyond TNC. With heightened focus, expanded capacity and deeper collaboration, OCS Phase II will continue to ensure that science is not only something we value, but rather what drives how we make decisions and deliver impact.

In this annual report, you’ll see what this looks like in practice. From innovative applications of technology, to co-development of science alongside communities, to learning from and partnering with Indigenous science and knowledge holders, our work is already strengthening outcomes for people and the planet.

If you’d like to follow along, I invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter and connect with TNC Science on LinkedIn and on Bluesky.

Yours,

Katharine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist

Across the globe, Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities are increasingly recognized not simply as stakeholders, but as knowledge holders and long-standing stewards of biodiversity. In 2017, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) took the significant step of integrating Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) into its global assessments. A recent publication led by Indigenous scholars and ILK experts, lays out practical ways to embed Indigenous and traditional community perspectives throughout conservation decision-making processes. These include involving ILK holders at every stage, building trust through in-person dialogues and providing the support needed for meaningful participation. This approach results in both richer science and more equitable decision-making, ensuring that biodiversity and climate solutions reflect both evidence and lived experience.

A global study spanning 18 countries reinforces this point, highlighting a critical gap in how Indigenous and traditional territories are represented in conservation reporting. Although these communities steward some of the world’s most biodiverse lands, their contributions are often undercounted in national and international databases. Research led by TNC policy and conservation experts found that legal recognition of land rights largely determines whether these territories are included in official reporting toward targets like the Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30×30 goal. Without formal acknowledgment, their stewardship remains invisible: underscoring the need for more inclusive, locally tailored and equitable conservation metrics that reflect the realities on the ground.

The power of traditional community stewardship is clear in Mexico, where forests managed by Indigenous and traditional communities—especially those operating their own sawmills—show lower deforestation rates and increased forest regrowth. A recent TNC study using statistical and geospatial data revealed that when communities control both forest management and timber processing, they achieve better conservation outcomes while strengthening local economies. This model, which demonstrates how ILK and local governance can align with global climate and biodiversity targets, can be scaled to other regions through initiatives like TNC’s Climate Smart Forestry Strategy.

Together, these examples reveal the vital role Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities play in shaping effective conservation strategies. Their deep-rooted knowledge systems, cultural practices and stewardship offer valuable perspectives that complement Western science and strengthen outcomes on the ground. When global assessments include Indigenous and traditional knowledge, when traditional territories are recognized in conservation reporting and when communities lead in managing their own resources, conservation becomes more inclusive, effective and durable.

Communities around the world are drawing on time-tested water management practices to meet today’s freshwater challenges. In the Peruvian Andes, the revival of ancient amunas, pre-Incan canals that capture rainwater and channel it into underground aquifers, is helping address water scarcity in one of the world’s driest regions. Supported by TNC and local partners, these Indigenous systems are both effective and economical. In San Pedro de Casta, amunas supplied 32% of river flow during the 2023 dry season, and recharging aquifers this way costs roughly one-third as much as building a new dam. Restoring amunas not only improves water security; it also strengthens community resilience and safeguards cultural heritage.

Thousands of miles away in Norfolk, England, a similar story of ecological renewal is unfolding. There, globally rare chalk streams fed by sponge-like aquifers are being restored through nature-based solutions. These ancient freshwater ecosystems support rich biodiversity and provide vital water resources to local communities. In a pilot project blending science, art and history, TNC and partners are “re-wiggling” a straightened stream, restoring its natural meanders to improve water flow and habitat health. The initiative is part of the Norfolk Water Fund, which creates sustainable income opportunities for farmers and landowners while improving water quality and quantity.

Freshwater’s role in sustaining both ecosystems and livelihoods is especially clear in Africa, where rivers, lakes and wetlands are home to more than 3,200 freshwater fish species. These fish provide food, income and cultural value to tens of millions of people while also playing a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health. Yet freshwater biodiversity faces mounting threats. A recent report led by World Wildlife Fund, with more than a dozen partners including TNC, reveals that at least 26% of assessed freshwater fish species in Africa are threatened with extinction—likely an under-estimate, due to limited data and under-researched species. The findings underscore the urgency of innovative, science-based approaches to protect biodiversity while supporting the communities who depend on these waters.

Although these examples are separated by geography and culture, they share a common thread: working with nature rather than against it. Whether channeling rainwater through stone-lined canals in the Andes, re-meandering riverbeds in England’s countryside or safeguarding fish-rich waters across Africa, each effort shows how traditional knowledge and modern science can reinforce one another. Investing in these approaches protects freshwater resources while also honoring the deep-rooted relationships between people and the landscapes that sustain them.

Protecting 30% of the world’s lands and waters by 2030—the ambitious goals of the global 30x30 initiative—requires more than drawing lines on a map. It demands we rethink how we use land, produce energy and value biodiversity in everyday decisions. These goals are embedded into the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted by nearly 200 countries to halt and reverse nature loss. Science is central to this transformation, informing practical solutions that balance ecological integrity with human needs across sectors and geographies.

The corporate sector is a critical part of this shift. Many supply chains depend on natural resources that are increasingly threatened by biodiversity loss. As a result, more businesses are beginning to align their strategies with national biodiversity plans under the GBF. This alignment helps companies reduce risk and build resilience, while also contributing directly to national conservation goals that support 30x30. To accelerate this shift, TNC and our partners at Metabolic jointly released a report and workbook to help companies integrate biodiversity into their operations, turning risk into opportunity for restoration.

As renewable energy expands, countries, companies and communities face a dual challenge: how to accelerate clean energy while protecting nature. Solar and wind development is expanding rapidly around the world, but often at the expense of agricultural lands and biodiversity-rich habitats. To address this tension, TNC researchers explored the potential of floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems—solar panels installed on reservoirs and other freshwater bodies. Because they use existing water surfaces, these systems reduce pressure on land. However, their ecological and social impacts are still being studied, reinforcing the need for science-based planning to ensure clean energy growth supports, rather than undermines, conservation goals.

A similar dual-purpose land use study is underway in Washington State, where TNC and partners recently completed a feasibility study on agrivoltaics—co-locating solar panels and active farmland. With Washington’s ambitious renewable energy targets and commitment to preserving farmland and Indigenous rights, agrivoltaics offer a promising path to resolving potential conflicts. The study mapped suitable lands, modeled impacts on key crops like apples and berries, and surveyed over 100 farmers. The findings show that solar development can maintain agricultural productivity and diversify farm income, reinforcing the 30x30 principle that conservation and human livelihoods can advance together.

Reaching the 30x30 target will require more than isolated efforts—it demands an integrated, science-led approach that spans sectors, geographies, and disciplines. These examples demonstrate that restoring and conserving lands is not just a goal: it’s a shared responsibility and an economic opportunity. When decisions are grounded in evidence, nature can be protected, communities empowered and clean energy expanded at the same time.

Securing the sustainable future of our oceans depends on coordinated, science‑based strategies that connect species, ecosystems and communities—beyond isolated efforts. One such approach is being pioneered by TNC and partners through a three-tiered framework to improve the design and effectiveness of large-scale marine protected areas (MPAs). By combining animal tracking, satellite observations and projections of future ocean conditions, researchers are gaining a clearer picture of how wide-ranging species like seabirds, manta rays and reef sharks move across vast seascapes. Centered in the U.S. Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, this work is expanding to include highly migratory fish species like yellowfin tuna and blue marlin. The result is a practical, scalable model for designing climate-resilient MPAs in support of the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.

Large protected areas, however, are only part of the broader solution for ocean sustainability. Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) sustain millions of coastal livelihoods and also need to be sustainable and resilient to long-term change. A recent study in Kenya assessed how 10 SSFs contribute to 12 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Fisheries targeting small pelagic and shrimp species had the strongest alignment with SDGs, while handline and octopus fisheries lagged behind. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring management strategies to specific fisheries and regions, especially in developing nations where SSFs are critical to both food security and economic resilience.

The importance of context-specific, data-informed management is also evident in Chile. There, TNC and partners have introduced FishPath, an innovative decision-support tool designed to guide sustainable fisheries management, even where data is limited. After years of collaboration with government agencies, fishers, academics and NGOs, Chile adopted FishPath-derived catch limits for 17 previously unmanaged coastal finfish species. This milestone helps reduce overfishing and creates a pathway to expand sustainable practices into the commercial sector. FishPath’s success shows how inclusive, evidence-based tools can translate science into policy and transform fisheries governance.

Together, these efforts—from mapping marine megafauna across vast protected areas to evaluating the social and economic role of small-scale fisheries and improving fisheries management even in data-limited areas—demonstrate the importance of using science to better understand ocean systems. By investing in diverse, accessible and locally grounded approaches, science enables decisions that protect ecological integrity while supporting coastal livelihoods. Building a resilient ocean future becomes possible by scaling approaches that work for both nature and people. 

Across the United States, climate change is altering coastlines, wetlands and grasslands— reshaping landscapes and threatening the ecosystems that protect communities, sustain biodiversity and embody cultural heritage. From the subtropical coasts of Florida to the wetlands of Hawai’i and the expansive grasslands of North America, conservationists are turning to nature-based solutions to respond. In doing so, a common need emerges for better data to guide effective, climate-resilient management.

In the Florida Keys, rising seas and stronger storms put low-lying communities at increasing risk. Seawalls and other traditional hard infrastructure can offer protection, but often at the cost of damaging fragile coastal habitats. To provide alternatives, TNC researchers developed a comprehensive guide to “living shorelines”—natural buffers that use vegetation and other organic materials to stabilize coasts. This guide helps local decision-makers choose the most appropriate shoreline protection strategies based on local conditions, balancing human safety with ecological integrity. Complementing this guide, another recent TNC study found that mangroves significantly reduced property damage from storm surges. During Hurricane Irma in 2017, they prevented an estimated $725 million in losses and during Hurricane Ian in 2022, about $4 billion or 30% of total direct damages. These findings highlight how healthy ecosystems can serve as vital—and economically viable—natural defenses for coastlines.

In Hawai’i, coastal wetlands are vital for endangered species and Indigenous food systems, yet they face mounting pressures from climate change, habitat loss and disease. Conservation efforts have been slowed by fragmented and inconsistent data collection. To address this, TNC researchers proposed a statewide standardized monitoring program to track restoration progress, species health and environmental stressors. Consistent, high-quality data would allow managers to understand wetland dynamics and inform decisions that benefit both biodiversity and community resilience.

North American grasslands are also undergoing rapid transformation as temperatures rise and rainfall patterns shift. To help land managers respond, TNC scientists created the Grassland Adaptation Menu, which translates broad climate adaptation strategies into practical steps like improving seed selection, adjusting fire and grazing practices and enhancing habitat connectivity. Applying these strategies effectively, however, requires robust ecological data to identify climate refugia, monitor biodiversity and measure restoration outcomes.

Together, these examples highlight a critical insight: nature-based solutions succeed when they are guided by credible, locally grounded information. Stabilizing shorelines, restoring wetlands and adapting grasslands all depend on understanding how ecosystems function and how communities rely on them. By investing in better data collection and monitoring, we can equip local communities, Indigenous stewards and land managers with the resources they need to make informed decisions—preserving cultural heritage and building ecological resilience in the places they call home. 

Nature offers powerful ways to tackle climate change through storing carbon, but not all ecosystems have the same potential. Recent TNC research is helping pinpoint where carbon is stored most effectively, creating new opportunities to align climate action with conservation, biodiversity protection and Indigenous stewardship. In the Ecuadorian Amazon, Indigenous agroforestry systems known as Chakras and Ajas integrate crops with native trees, providing food, medicine and cultural value. A recent study found that Chakras and Ajas also store significantly more carbon than cattle pastures or monoculture fields, with some matching the levels found in young forests. However, these systems face growing threats from expanding cattle ranching and single-crop agriculture. Formally recognizing Chakras and Ajas as natural climate solutions (NCS) can help preserve biodiversity and safeguard Indigenous land practices while contributing to national and global climate targets.

In Southeast Asia, TNC research highlights another high-impact opportunity. Despite covering just 5% of the region's land area, peatlands and mangroves are among the most effective carbon sinks in the world. Yet when they are drained or cleared, they release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. TNC science shows that half of the carbon emissions coming from land-use change in the region could be mitigated through peat and mangrove conservation and restoration alone. This analysis provides essential guidance for Southeast Asian countries updating their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement: protecting and restoring these habitats is one of the most effective ways to cut emissions from land use.

Coastal wetlands are also emerging as key players in global carbon strategies. A study led by TNC and the University of Cambridge analyzed more than 3,700 soil cores globally to map carbon stored in the world’s tidal marshes. Their research confirms that these waterlogged ecosystems trap carbon efficiently—but, like peatlands and mangroves, they can also release it if the system becomes degraded. The open-source methods developed through this research are now being applied to other habitats, including seagrasses, expanding the scientific foundation for NCS.

Together, these studies reinforce two important points: protecting carbon-rich ecosystems represents critical climate action and successful strategies must be place-based. From Indigenous-managed forests to peatlands and coastal marshes, each landscape offers unique opportunities to store carbon and support conservation. By targeting efforts where carbon and biodiversity benefits are highest, conservation efforts can deliver measurable climate benefits while also promoting equity and building long-term resilience for both people and nature.