<!-- PAGEBlock-Content-BEGIN --> <h1><a href="index_content.html">Biodiversity Neutral Initiative</a></h1> <h2>Non-profit organization developing standards for offsetting unavoidable corporate environmental impacts.</h2> <p>biodiversity, offset, offsets, neutral, conservation, nature, CSR, BNI, corporate social responsibility, EIA, environmental impact assessment, CI, WWF, TNC, Smithsonian, mining, energy, petroleum, oil, gas</p> <p><strong> biodiversity neutral</strong><strong> TM</strong><strong> initiative</strong><strong></strong></p> <p><strong> biodiversity neutral</strong><strong> TM</strong><strong> initiative</strong> assists businesses in measuring and offsetting unavoidable impacts to biodiversity. We research and promote best practices for corporate biodiversity management, with the long-term goal of developing voluntary standards for biodiversity offsets that will allow leading companies to become “biodiversity neutral.” </p> <p> We invite feedback on the materials posted on this site, and we seek business, non-profit, and academic participation in future case studies and working groups. </p> <p><strong> current activities</strong><strong></strong></p> <p><strong> biodiversity neutral</strong><strong> TM</strong><strong> initiative</strong> is embarking on a three stage process. </p> <p><em> First stage </em></p> <p> We are synthesizing the regulatory frameworks, voluntary corporate best practices, and conservation biology issues related to offsetting business impacts to biodiversity. </p> <p><em> Second stage </em></p> <p> We are applying potential offset methods in corporate pilot studies and documenting the results. </p> <p><em> Third stage</em></p> <p> We are developing voluntary standards for corporate biodiversity offsets that will allow businesses to mitigate the unavoidable harm they cause to biodiversity. </p> <p><strong> documents</strong><strong></strong></p> <p> Following are links to draft documents of <strong>biodiversity neutral</strong><strong> TM</strong><strong> initiative</strong> , available for public comment. Please feel free to download and view using Adobe Acrobat Reader. </p> <p> We welcome comments or suggestions for case studies at: <br /> <em>feedback@biodiversityneutral.org.</em></p> <p> Synthesis of Regulatory Standards for Biodiversity Offsets -- expected April, 2005 </p> <p><em> [when available, hyperlink to PDF]</em></p> <p> Synthesis of Corporate Best Practices for Biodiversity Management – expected April, 2005 </p> <p><em> [when available, hyperlink to PDF]</em></p> <p> Scientific Issues in Biodiversity Offsets – expected May, 2005 </p> <p><em> [when available, hyperlink to PDF]</em></p> <p> Case Study: Compañía Minera Antamina – expected August, 2005 </p> <p><em> [when available, hyperlink to PDF] </em></p> <p><strong> about us</strong><strong></strong></p> <p><strong> biodiversity neutral</strong><strong> TM</strong><strong> initiative</strong> was established in 2005 as a non-profit organization whose mission is to use science, business, and multi-stakeholder dialogue to promote corporate biodiversity conservation. </p> <p> Our staff has extensive experience in conservation and natural resource management in both the private and public sectors. Our active board of directors is small and diverse, drawn from the fields of scientific research, conservation, and business. </p> <p><strong> staff</strong></p> <p><strong> Ted Gullison, PhD</strong><strong><em>President </em></strong></p> <p> Ted has 16 years experience working on a broad range of natural resource management and conservation issues. A particular emphasis in his career has been the investigation of the effectiveness of alternative approaches to biodiversity conservation. He also works with the private sector, helping forestry companies manage biodiversity issues. Ted earned a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of British Columbia and a Doctorate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University. </p> <p><strong> Jared Hardner, MS</strong><strong><em> Vice President </em></strong></p> <p> Jared has 13 years consulting experience in the fields of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. The focus of his work is protected areas creation and financing, and measuring the effectiveness of conservation programs. Jared earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Princeton University and a Master’s in Natural Resource Economics from Yale University. </p> <p><strong> Art Blundell, PhD <em>Science Officer</em></strong></p> <p> Art has focused on conflict resolution and the environment, working as an inspector for the UN Security Council. Art has also worked with the US Agency for International Development combating illegal logging and for the Environmental Protection Agency on eco-risk assessment. Art has a BSc in Zoology from the University of British Columbia, a PhD in ecology from Dartmouth College, and has taught at Middlebury College in Vermont. </p> <p><strong> board of directors</strong><strong></strong></p> <p><strong> Lloyd Timberlake </strong></p> <p><strong> Elizabeth Losos, PhD </strong></p> <p><strong> Patricia Zurita, MS </strong></p> <p><strong> supporters</strong><strong></strong></p> <p> Princeton Social Venture Fund (Project 55) provided a seed grant and technical support to launch Biodiversity Neutral Initiative. We also receive support from corporate collaborations with De Norske Veritas and Compañía Minera Antamina. </p> <!-- PAGEBlock-Content-END -->