Superorganism

With multiple nature reports and both climate and biodiversity COPs in a one-month timeframe, we had a deluge of biodiversity news in October. We distill the biggest headlines in our monthly newsletter, and why despite some negative news, we're still COPtimistic. https://lnkd.in/gEuG_Ydd

Today we are launching the Nature Data Sharing Initiative (NDSI). Most nature data is siloed in repositories and used by a very narrow audience today. Yet, if properly activated, this data could greatly improve our ability to understand and value natural ecosystems. NDSI is a collection of resources designed to promote data literacy and foster a culture of responsible, impactful data sharing. This version includes the following: - Overview: An introduction, overview, and guidance notes around nature data and Nature Practitioners’ field data; - Guide: A guide on practical steps for sharing data - Template: A data sharing worksheet and sample data sharing agreement template. Cecil developed the NDSI in collaboration with numerous experts. I am proud to share Nkwi Flores, Samichhya Khadka and Ashurst authored this version. These resources were also developed in collaboration with Emily Cravigan (Allens), Anthony Lloyd and Kendrick Deng (Ashurst), Connor Jordan, Tom Walker (Cecil), Florian Reber (Chloris Geospatial), Climateworks Centre, Megan Pillsbury (Dunya Analytics), Sara Schmude, Bert Glover (Impact Ag Partners), Kate Wing (Intertidal Agency ) Victor Allory, Romain Fau (Kanop), Paul Young (Kita), Karl Burkart (One Earth), Alexis Moyer, Ed Mitchard (Space Intelligence), Camille Goldstone-Henry, Jada Andersen (Xylo Systems), and Chris Tolles (Yard Stick PBC). These are living resources that we hope will be updated based on your feedback. A link to the home page is included in the comments. Please help us share these resources.

Week one of Funga's 2024 inoculation is in the books! Last year we inoculated 1 Million seedlings at one nursery location, and we are thrilled to report that this year we are inoculating multiple millions across multiple nurseries. One of the most powerful selling points of our work has been the inherent capacity to scale quickly, and we're making it happen in real time. Huge thanks to our crew onsite in Georgia, Ian Ware J. Anthony Seliskar Caylon Yates Lily Gannon Will Bradham Amelia Pokorny Tyler Claxton 🫶 🌲

Strut, pose, and slither. 🐍 Gabriela Hearst partnered with INVERSA Leathers during Paris Fashion Week to feature invasive leather in their Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Luxury fashion meets biodiversity preservation.

Urban ecology: misnomer for some, solarpunk ideal for others. This month we get lost in the role of cities for biodiversity in honor of New York Climate Week. https://lnkd.in/gDf6_dBa

As Sightline Climate (CTVC) covered earlier this month, it's been a cool first half of the year for climate tech venture deals. In this month's Substack, we dove into why it's happening, what it means for nature tech, and most importantly, what founders can do to navigate the uncertainty. Get to the end for a short summer reading guide, complete with drone-toppling gulls 🕊️, whale speech 🐋, and a scientific classification system for pasta 🍝.

Life finds a way, and so can we. Advances in biotech have unlocked a new suite of tools we can use to protect and restore nature. In this month's newsletter, we sequence some areas where biotech can benefit biodiversity. And, announcing our investment in Foray Bioscience. https://lnkd.in/gBvsUcZ2

Our reliance on the natural world for its bounty has become a one-sided relationship, where humans take far more than is sustainable, and give less back in return. Foray Bioscience helps mend that relationship. With their plant cell culture platform for materials, molecules, and seeds, Foray unlocks the power of plant-based manufacturing, and de-bottlenecks forest restoration with rare, native, and genetically diverse trees. We're proud to support Ashley Beckwith and Foray in this journey. Congratulations!

Did you know: -67% of global deforestation by agriculture has been driven by expanding animal pastures and fields for growing animal feed? -Excess runoff from agriculture is responsible for 75% of global eutrophication (the process that leads to algal blooms and dead zones)? -70% of all global freshwater is used for agriculture? To preserve biodiversity, we have to look at how we're producing food. In this month's newsletter, we dig in on some of the intersection points on agtech and biodiversity. We pulled out a few highlights and takeaways from our recent collaborative white paper with Sarah Garland, PhD and Triple Helix.

Agtech has a vital role to play in feeding the planet, while doing better for biodiversity. For World Biodiversity Day, we loved collaborating with Triple Helix and Sarah Garland, PhD on this white paper exploring intersection points and opportunities. Tom Quigley Kevin Webb Brittany DeGirolamo