Innovative Wildlife Research in a Changing World
Who We Are
Through our research programs, we work to better understand ecological health through the lens of wildlife. BRI incorporates both traditional and leading-edge approaches toward solving ecological issues. Results of our scientific research provide decision makers with the data necessary to make informed policy decisions that conserve resources and protect our environment.
Who We Are
Directors: Tim Tear, Ph.D; Rich Brereton, Ph.D
Who We Are
What We Study
The loss of biodiversity threatens our food supplies, opportunities for recreation and tourism, and sources of wood, medicines, and energy. The underlying causes of biodiversity loss are often complex and stem from many interrelated factors such as habitat loss, development, overfishing, invasive species, industrial activities, and pollution.
Climate Change Studies combines the resources of BRI’s other programs to conduct studies that cross-species lines and geographic boundaries. The strength of our collective work contributes to the ongoing dialogue about climate change and helps to inform the actions that are needed to address it.
Tracking offers insight into wildlife movements and habitat use. We learn valuable information about the challenges on breeding and wintering grounds and along migration routes. BRI tracks birds, bats, and small mammals–from capture and the application of transmitters through collection and analysis of data. Related Links: Tracking Raptors in Flight
For more than three decades, we have been studying the impacts of mercury in the environment, and through these studies have stretched our global reach and developed the expertise and the tools needed to tackle the triple threats of mercury, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity.
Featured Work: Biodiversity and Soil Carbon
Biodiversity is the foundation of healthy ecosystems and essential for sustaining life on Earth. Our Biodiversity Program conducts comprehensive studies to monitor, assess, and conserve biological diversity across a range of landscapes and species. This includes field surveys that document species presence and abundance, habitat conditions, and ecological interactions—critical data for informing conservation strategies and understanding ecosystem health.
As part of our global research efforts, BRI has undertaken extensive biodiversity surveys in East Africa to establish baselines for monitoring changes in wildlife communities and habitats. We also collaborate on innovative conservation finance tools, such as biodiversity credits, which aim to quantify and incentivize actions that protect and restore biodiversity. By integrating scientific research with emerging conservation solutions we are working to ensure the long-term health and resilience of ecosystems worldwide.
Healthy soils are a cornerstone of natural climate solutions, storing more carbon than all terrestrial vegetation combined. Through photosynthesis, plants capture carbon dioxide and transfer it underground via roots and decaying matter, enriching soil organic carbon and supporting biodiversity, water retention, and ecosystem resilience .Our Soil Carbon Projects aim to measure, monitor, and enhance soil carbon storage. This work includes developing rigorous methodologies for carbon quantification and exploring soil carbon credits as innovative conservation finance tools.
The Kajiado Rangelands Carbon Project in Kenya is a collaboration with CarbonSolve and local Maasai communities. Using rotational grazing practices, this project promotes carbon sequestration across 1.5 million hectares while supporting biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods.
