Half-Earth Project - E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation

We are all global citizens called to protect Earth.

Species are disappearing at an alarming rate.

"Biodiversity holds the world steady." - E.O. Wilson

With science at its core and our transcendent moral obligation to the rest of life at its heart, the Half-Earth Project® is working to conserve half the land and sea to safeguard the bulk of biodiversity, including ourselves.

E.O. WILSON, ‘DARWIN’S NATURAL HEIR,’ PASSES AT 92

E.O. Wilson’s lifetime of scientific discovery led to ‘Half-Earth.’

The E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation is deeply saddened to share the passing of preeminent scientist, naturalist, author and teacher, Edward O. Wilson, Ph.D (1929–2021).

One of the most distinguished and recognized American scientists in modern history, Dr. Wilson devoted his life to studying the natural world and inspiring others to care for it as he did.

E.O. Wilson died on December 26 in Burlington, Massachusetts. He was 92.

Read the full statement

TRIBUTES TO E.O. WILSON’S LIFE

From around the world, tributes, condolences, and remembrances of Dr. Wilson are being shared.

“The world lost a great scientist and I, a dear friend, with the passing of E.O. Wilson. Ed was an intellectual giant and a gentle, humble, compassionate man. We were fortunate to have had him for 92 years.”—Paul Simon

Since the passing of E.O. Wilson (1929–2021) at age 92 on December 26, world leaders, distinguished scientists, former students, and conservation giants have offered their thoughts on the incredible impact and inspiration Dr. Wilson had on their lives.

Read the Tributes

Half-Earth Day 2021 panels, sessions and plenaries are now available to view on the Half-Earth Day 2021 Showcase

We thank our Eden Project, our speakers, and
Presenting sponsor: CBRE

How to Save the Natural World supported by The James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Distinguished Lectureship in Biodiversity and Mishcon de Reya

Additional support provided by: Garrison Institute, The National Audubon Society, The National Geographic Society

We would also like to thank: Citi, Esri. Vizzuality, Library of America, The Redford Center, PBS/Nature, Passion Pictures and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Ian Drummond, Volvo, Earthshot Prize, Richard Rhodes and Doubleday Penguin | Random House, The Royal Geographical Society

Official Supplier: Houdini Sportswear

Places and Voices of America the Beautiful: Southeastern Coasts and Forests

Victoria A. Smalls
Steven Friedman
Joshua F. Walden

Moderated by Dennis Liu with Joel R. Johnson

The first in a new discussion series on areas of great biodiversity in the United States and the pathways and people essential to protecting them, featuring:

Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor
Center for Heirs Property Preservation
Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Watch the Session

Half-Earth Day 2021

E.O. Wilson (1929–2021) and Sir David Attenborough met in a once-in-a-lifetime discussion on Half-Earth Day 2021, moderated by Sir Tim Smit at the Royal Geographical Society in London, October 22nd. The panel was supported by the James M. and Catherine D. Stone Distinguished Lectureship in Biodiversity, Mishcon de Reya, Eden Project, and Half-Earth Day 2021 presenting sponsor, CBRE.

Half-Earth Project Map Update

New features include:

Improved user experience

Finer resolution (~27.5 km)

New biodiversity layers

New color ramps

Updated menu

National Report Card Access

Explore the Half-Earth Project Map

Statement on Biden-Harris Administration Executive Order on Climate Crisis

“We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration’s pledge to put America on the path to ‘conserve 30 percent of its ocean of our lands and oceans by 2030.’ Conservation areas are key to safeguarding species and to ensure future generations can benefit from biodiversity’s many contributions to functioning ecosystems and human well-being. The Half-Earth Project® recognizes the need for a much expanded and carefully selected network of lands, waters, and ocean prioritized for conservation to achieve this goal.”

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Dr. Paula J. Ehrlich, DVM, PhD, President & CEO, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, Half-Earth Project® Lead

On Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and the Half-Earth Project

We commit to prioritizing listening and taking clear steps externally and internally to combat racism and oppression of all types. We commit to working toward justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our leadership, our programs, our strategic planning, our operations, our communications and our fundraising. We commit to creating a culture at the foundation that educates staff and stakeholders on the issues of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and holds opportunity for traditionally excluded groups to join in processes, activities and decision-making. We welcome and encourage feedback along the way.

We commit to understanding that this body of work IS our work if we are to achieve the goal of Half-Earth and benefit all people and species.

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Honoring Indigenous Communities

“The Half-Earth Project honors the wisdom of the traditional owners of the lands and waters we aim to protect and their ancient ways of seeing and experiencing nature. In the spirit of the oral tradition of the Blackfoot, we aim to honor ‘the flash of the firefly in the night, the breath of the buffalo in the wintertime, and the little shadow that runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.’ We aim to restore and protect life. We thank our Indigenous communities for their historic stewardship of life, their critical role in reaffirming and repairing our relationship with it and their present and future partnership.” – Paula Ehrlich, President & CEO of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and Lead of the Half-Earth Project

View full statement at left. Seek out the Indigenous history of the place where you live at https://native-land.ca/.

We Must Act Now.

Before we’ve lost irreplaceable species and ecosystems forever.

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