Biodiversity Research Institute
Who We Are
Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), headquartered in Portland, Maine, is a nonprofit 501(c)3 ecological research group whose mission is to assess emerging threats to wildlife and ecosystems through collaborative research. We use scientific findings to advance environmental awareness and inform decision makers.
Where We Work
Our research team works across the globe with dedicated conservation biologists conducting studies and working with countries in nearly every corner of the world.
Mapped locations are color coded by BRI’s four Centers of excellence, with stars indicating current project. Future projects in development are without stars. Blue: Center for Climate Change and Conservation; Purple: Center for Mercury Studies; Orange: Center for Waterbird Studies’ Green: Center for Research on Offshore Wind and the Environment
BRI’s Centers of Research
BRI’s research capabilities have grown in response to pressing ecological issues, from the ability to study the natural history of loons to the development of new technologies that enable researchers to predict risks due to climate change and human development.
Recent News
February 2025
Center for Waterbird Studies: BRI’s Iain Stenhouse is a co-author on a newly released paper published in Global Ecology and Biogeography. The paper, Global Marine Flyways Identified for Long-Distance Migrating Seabirds From Tracking Data, identifies six marine flyways across the world’s oceans: the Atlantic Ocean Flyway, North Indian Ocean Flyway, East Indian Ocean Flyway, West Pacific Ocean Flyway, Pacific Ocean Flyway and Southern Ocean Flyway. The marine flyways identified demonstrate that pelagic seabirds have similar and repeatable migration routes across ocean-basin scales. Our study highlights the need to account for connectivity in seabird conservation and provides a framework for international cooperation.
February 2025
Center for Mercury Studies: A Global Environment Facility (GEF) replenishment meeting is taking place in Washington DC, February 18-20th, with BRI’s David Evers participating on a panel representaitng pollution and waste. The replenishment meetings provide an opportunity for contributing participants to review GEF performance and evaluate progress, assess future funding needs, and agree on a financing framework.
February 2025
Center for Mercury Studies: A high-level regional meeting in Libreville, Gabon, brought together African ministers, international experts and civil society leaders to address the public health and environmental risks posed by mercury-containing skin-lightening cosmetics. The two-day technical workshop gathered over 150 experts and delegates from 13 African countries and was conducted by experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) and civil society organizations. The sessions reviewed the dangers of mercury exposure and the need for a comprehensive strategy across the region. Read more here.
February 2025
General News: BRI partners with the University of Southern Maine Career & Employment Hub to provide students with hands-on experiences to further support their personal and academic growth! Whether it’s bird banding at River Point Bird Observatory or working in our toxicology lab, interns gain valuable research experience. This partnership has also developed a skilled hiring pool for BRI and led to full-time positions. Read more here.
Connect with us!
BRI has a quarterly e-zine titled One Drop of Water, which features stories about our science, our scientists, and the critical intersection where science informs policy. The January issue is out now!
United Nations and BRI
BRI helps over 40 countries meet requirements for the Minamata Convention on Mercury by assisting with Minamata Initial Assessments and mercury inventories, reducing mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining practices, and evaluating effectiveness through mercury biomonitoring.
BRI is an official member of the UN Global Compact and an accredited observer organization for both the Minamata Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as an Executing Agency for UNEP.
