Island Conservation
Chris Bley is an experienced entrepreneur and director with a strong background in drone technology and conservation efforts. As Co-Founder and Director of Monterey Bay DART since October 2018, Chris has facilitated collaboration among industry, government, and academia in drone and robotics technology. Currently serving on the Advisory Council for Island Conservation, Chris contributes to efforts aimed at preventing extinctions through invasive species removal. As Founder of AirSpace Integration, Chris focuses on integrating UAS applications into the National Airspace System. Additionally, Chris has a notable history as Founder and former Director of Rope Partner, acquired in 2020, and as Co-Founder and Executive Director of InspecTools, which was acquired by PrecisionHawk in 2018. Chris's technical advisory role at Worth Data from 1988 to 1998 further complements an extensive career in technology and innovation, supported by a B.A.Sc. in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
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Island Conservation
Our world today is experiencing a major wave of species extinctions; some estimates are 1,000 times greater than historical rates. When we lose species, ecosystems unravel, and we see and feel the direct effects on our world, livelihoods, and well-being. Islands represent the greatest concentration of both biodiversity and species extinctions. Island species are incredibly unique, yet they are highly vulnerable to novel disturbances. Invasive species are a leading cause of extinctions on islands and of biodiversity loss globally. As the threats of extinctions are highest on islands, so are our opportunities to save species at-risk. We will lose island species forever, unless we act to save them now. We believe biodiversity conservation is essential for the well-being of all humanity. To us, safeguarding biodiversity means preventing extinctions, protecting ecosystems, and sustaining critical resources on which people and nature rely on. We envision a future in which our world’s most at-risk island animals, plants, ecosystems, and communities are thriving, safeguarded from damaging invasive species and thus more resilient to other emergent conservation threats. Removing a primary threat—introduced invasive vertebrates—is one of the most critical interventions for saving threatened plants and animals and restoring island ecosystems. This is why we partner with individuals like you and organizations to prevent extinctions by removing invasive species from islands. Since our founding in 1994, Island Conservation and our partners have successfully restored 63 islands worldwide, benefiting 1173 populations of 468 species and subspecies.