CI strives to conserve the Earth’s living natural heritage, our global biodiversity, and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature.
Founded in 1987, CI is an innovative leader in global biodiversity conservation. CI employs more than 800 people around the world; the majority are based in countries where biodiversity is most threatened, and most are citizens of the country in which they work. Because no single organization can safeguard Earth's biologically richest places, enabling partners is a cornerstone to our strategic approach. In 2004, we shared approximately a quarter of our budget with nearly 350 conservation partners throughout our priority areas.
CI targets high-biodiversity areas where the needs are greatest and where each conservation dollar spent can save the most species: These include Biodiversity Hotspots, High-biodiversity Wilderness Areas and Key Marine Regions. CI is US-based but its efforts are concentrated overseas in more than 40 countries, mostly developing nations in Africa, the Asia-Pacific regions and the Neo Tropics. CI has always been committed to working with indigenous and traditional people worldwide, not only to protect biodiversity, but to preserve indigenous cultures and the traditional knowledge they possess.
Conservation International in Africa Eight of Earth's biodiversity hotspots are in Africa – a hub of rare and unique species. Like all hotspots, Africa's biologically richest regions are subject to myriad threats. However, forward-thinking nations have recognized their biodiversity as a competitive advantage and are investing to protect it. With support from CI, they are implementing conservation strategies that drive economic growth. The benefits are reaching even the remotest of African populations.
