A new approach to solving the extinction crisis





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We’re creating a new program to evaluate, compare, and rank the most effective and efficient solutions to the biodiversity crisis.

Learn about the Extinction Solutions Index

Our mission is to prevent the sixth mass extinction.

The planet is headed towards a period of extraordinary change: A sixth mass extinction, the first in Earth’s history driven by the actions of a single species — our own.Conservation, as we know it, is not succeeding fast enough.

At Conservation X Labs, we’re applying technology, entrepreneurship, and open innovation to source, develop, and scale critical solutions to the underlying drivers of extinction.

Humans have driven the sixth mass extinction. Humans have the power to reverse it.

HOW WE DO IT

Strategy
Open Innovation

We run global innovation competitions that are open to anyone and everyone to harness the collective ingenuity of all entrepreneurs, makers, engineers, scientists, and innovators.

Directed Innovation

With a combination of in-house expertise and experience in technology development, we design new solutions to advance conservation.

Reinventing Conservation

Through strong international partnerships, impactful programming, and unique expertise, CXL is co-creating the future of conservation technology on a global scale.

We are working to prevent extinctions by building tools like the NABIT…

Seafood fraud and illegal timber trafficking are devastating for ecosystems, and trafficking enforcement agents need tools to rapidly identify fraud or illegal activity in the field.

The Nucleic Acid Barcode Identification Tool is a hand-held device that compares a DNA sample to the Barcode Of Life Database to answer the question: is this species actually what it’s claimed to be?

Learn more about the NABIT

…and the Sentinel.

A significant challenge for conservationists is processing the amounts of data collected by camera traps, audio recorders and other biologgers.

The Sentinel is an AI toolkit that makes conservation tools smarter. It upgrades wildlife monitoring tools — like trail cameras and acoustic recorders — with easy-to-use AI technology.

Learn more about the sentinel

We launch prizes and challenges to incentivize bold, unconventional approaches to conservation problems.

The Microfiber Innovation Challenge (Copy)

ANNOUNCED WINNERS IN 2022

A $650,000 global competition for upstream solutions to plastic microfiber pollution that replace plastic in textiles and/or prevent microfiber shedding.

Learn more about this Challenge.

The Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge (Copy)

FIELD TESTING IN THE AMAZON

A global call for solutions to conserve the Amazon, protect communities, and transform artisanal and small-scale gold mining in the rainforest with $1,000,000+ in prizes.

Learn more about this Challenge.

Save The 'Ohi'a (Copy)

WINNER ANNOUNCED

Innovators submitted solutions to detect and prevent the spread of an invasive fungal pathogen called Rapid ‘Ōhiʻa Death (ROD), which has decimated Hawaiian forests.

Learn more about this Challenge.

The Global Cooling Prize (Copy)

WINNERS ANNOUNCED BY RICHARD BRANSON

A $3 million competition to develop a climate-friendly residential cooling solution that can provide people around the world with access to cooling without warming the planet.

Learn more about the Prize.

Biodiversity

and planetary health

Biodiversity conservation is critical to human health and key to preventing the next pandemic.

What role does conservation play in preventing pandemics?

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The CXL newsletter is a monthly roundup featuring conservation technology funding opportunities, innovative new solutions to conservation challenges, the latest news from the CXL team, and ongoing project updates from within our community.

The video silversides at the top of this page is used courtesy of professional underwater filmmaker Frans de Backer.