Founded in 1991, Seacology collaborates with local communities to establish and protect marine and terrestrial areas, dedicating its efforts to conservation and sustainable development. The organization does this by funding high priority community projects like schools, clinics, and clean water systems in exchange for conservation commitments, ensuring biodiversity while improving island residents’ quality of life.

Seacology has funded 432 projects in 70 countries.Approximately half of these projects address environmental concerns, such as ecotourism infrastructure or solar panels, while the other half focuses on socio-economic outcomes, like community halls or health centers.

For example, in Long Tanid, a remote village in Borneo, Seacology facilitated installing a micro-hydroelectric system to provide sustainable energy in exchange for safeguarding approximately 1,400 acres of forest. Similarly, on Sibuyan Island in the Philippines, Seacology supported the conservation of a 2,471-acre forest in return for funding solar lighting that now enables children to study after dark.

Seacology identifies 25 to 30 projects each year and partners with a local NGO or community association willing to collaborate on its implementation and evaluation. With project agreements typically spanning 10 years or more, Seacology builds strong relationships with local islanders and can conduct additional projects addressing various environmental issues. For example, Seacology initiated its work in Palawan, Philippines in 2003 by establishing a coral reef protected area and has since influenced fishing policies in the region in 2021.

To promote current and past projects and to fundraise for future efforts, Seacology offers donors ecotourism opportunities to the different island communities it collaborates with. By joining these trips, travelers not only financially contribute to environmental preservation work but also gain insight into local cultures and ecosystems and learn about responsible tourism practices.

Seacology has successfully protected 658,892 acres of terrestrial island habitat and 800,303 acres of marine island habitat, making islands more resilient to disasters and improving their inhabitants’ economic and food security.

Due to the diverse nature of its over 400 developmental projects, the environmental and community benefits of each individual project are unique to the island community it serves.

For example, recognizing the vital role of mangroves in sequestering carbon and protecting populated areas from extreme weather events, Seacology partnered with the Sri Lankan government to launch the Sri Lanka Mangrove Conservation Project in 2015. That project protects 21,782 acres of mangrove forests with 7,900 women and youth trained in their conservation.

Because mangrove roots provide a habitat for shrimp and other fish, preserving the mangroves also positively affects the millions of people who depend on shrimp and fish farming for their livelihoods and food security.

Seacology earns approximately 77% of its funds from philanthropic sources and the remainder from its expeditions and investments. Additional philanthropic support will help the organization expand its ongoing project portfolio. Learn more: https://www.seacology.org/

Representing all 574 U.S. federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Villages, the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) promotes the conservation and development of agricultural resources of American Indian Country, protecting soil, water, air, vegetation, and wildlife that affect the American Indian agricultural community. Pristine Seas works to restore the health and productivity of the ocean and improve the livelihoods of coastal communities by protecting the ocean from overfishing.