Our mission is to solve critical conservation problems by cultivating new approaches with innovative techniques and applications through the support of community-led initiatives.
Our Intention
While conservation biology has existed as a discipline for several decades, and great strides have been made toward understanding the various drivers of conservation crises, there are few mechanisms by which advances in academic understanding can be translated to application.
The intention of The Dr. Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied Conservation (TDARFAC) is to bridge the gap between academic breakthroughs in conservation science and applied conservation efforts on the ground by generating actionable conservation interventions (Eklund et al., 2022, Rice et al., 2020).
Ultimately, our aim is to support novel applications of techniques and approaches from the natural and social sciences while leveraging existing knowledge to solve real-world problems.
The foundation will accomplish its goals by:
Funding direct research
Soliciting grant proposals and award nominations annually based on the guidance and recommendations of the Advisory Council
Another key aspect of the foundation is to require funded conservation practitioners to assess the outcomes of their interventions rigorously and scientifically. We are a 501 (c)(3) Private Foundation in the United States that formed in 2023.
Specific Objectives
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Building Capacity
Use our collective vision as a consortium of international scientists and external specialists to facilitate field-based research and community-led conservation projects in primate-range countries.
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Amplifying Voices
Foster opportunities for university students and early-career scientists in primate-range countries through project development, funding, mentorship, and support (see Atsalis et al., 2024).
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Partnering with Local Communities
Generate community-based conservation projects developed by individuals and non-governmental organizations.
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