Conservation Science

Conservation Science

Protecting nature is what we do. Science shows us how. We tell the stories behind Nature Conservancy science — from the field to the research lab, and everywhere in between.

From the Field

We get our boots dirty. Join us as we cover science in action, from stormwater drains to the Indonesian rainforest..

Borax Lake Chub: Conserving a High Desert Survivor

This fish has adapted to a lake high in arsenic and heavy metals. But human activity poses a greater challenge.

Matthew L. Miller

Communities Unite to Save Papua New Guinea’s Forests from Logging

A group of villages in Papua New Guinea decided to protect their damaged rainforests from future clearcuts. A photographer captured that work in action.

Annette Ruzicka and Eric Seeger

Coral Atolls are Not a Lost Cause

An international team argues that strategic ecological restoration could save coral atoll islands from the rising seas of climate change.

Cara Cannon Byington

Story type: TNC Science Brief

Nēnē: The Recovery of the Hawaiian Goose

One of the rarest waterfowl species on earth, the nene nearly disappeared forever. Here is its epic story.

Matthew L. Miller

Lost and Found: A Story from Palmyra Atoll

When you work in a place remote as Palmyra Atoll, if equipment fails, there won’t be a midweek run to Bass Pro Shops.

Kydd Pollock

Meet the Bison: North America’s Most Famous Mammal

For all their fame, you’d be surprised by how much you don’t know about North America’s largest land mammal.

Justine E. Hausheer

Science for Strategy

Science is strategy. Learn from 600 scientists & our partners researching the best way to protect nature.

Scientists Re-Discover Giant Rat Not Seen in 30+ Years

A TNC-funded expedition in the Solomon Islands has re-discovered a giant rat species.

Justine E. Hausheer

How An Invasive Ant Affects East Africa’s Iconic Wildlife

Invasive ants are having an outsized effect on savanna ecology, impacting even the largest mammals.

Matthew L. Miller

Photographing Eels in the Dark 

An artist turns her camera to the slippery, elusive and endangered American eel.

Jenny Rogers and Christine Fitzgerald

The Search for America’s Tiniest Turtles

In Massachusetts, a team is restoring wetlands and using some old-school ways to track bog turtles process.

Jenny Rogers

Running the Numbers on Global Seabird Restoration

A new database of global seabird restoration projects allows scientists to analyze trends and provides a tool for practitioners looking to effectively restore seabirds and coastal ecosystems.

Justine E. Hausheer

Story type: TNC Science Brief

Sea Turtles Are Under Threat from Small-Scale Fisheries

Free divers are fishing turtles at unsustainble levels in the Solomon Islands.

Justine E. Hausheer

Story type: TNC Science Brief

Science Brief

Your hub for the latest peer-reviewed research powering conservation action.

Overlooked ‘Albedo’ Effect Should Be Factored into Tree Cover Restoration Decisions for Climate

Albedo changes can cause large reductions to the climate benefit of tree planting. New research helps identify areas around the […]

Ayla Norris Smith

Story type: TNC Science Brief

Want Resilient Coral Reefs? Bring Back Seabirds

Eradicating rats and restoring seabird populations could increase coral reef resilience to climate disturbances.

Justine E. Hausheer

Story type: TNC Science Brief

Empowering Communities with Solar

The ongoing transformation of the U.S.’s energy systems creates a compelling opportunity to build the energy infrastructure of the future.

Cara Cannon Byington

Story type: TNC Science Brief

Restoring Old-Growth Forests in the Pacific Northwest: Lessons from TNC’s Ellsworth Creek Preserve

Scientists are evaluating 15 years of forest management at TNC’s Ellsworth Creek Preserve to inform large-scale forest restoration efforts.

Cara Cannon Byington

Story type: TNC Science Brief

Nature and Equity: The Future of Lasting Conservation?

Solutions to the challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change may require entwined solutions framed by “Nature and Equity.”

Cara Cannon Byington

Story type: TNC Science Brief

A New Boost for Biochar as a Natural Climate Solution

Biochar could be a meaningful ally in tackling the climate crisis.

Ayla Norris Smith

Story type: TNC Science Brief