Canopy's work

 

Canopy provides innovative ways to integrate the needs of wildlife, business and society through research, education, and partnership building. Our work helps corporations reap the benefits of adopting a comprehensive approach to wildlife stewardship. 

The Canopy team consists of business strategists, ecologists, management consultants, a network of affiliated wildlife biologists from six continents, and media and design  professionals.

We share earth with an incredible array of wild animals and places. The allure of tigers, sharks, eagles and orang-utans is testament to the relationship between people and nature – a relationship that lies largely dormant. This human fascination with an abstract world provides the opportunity for Canopy to seize the imagination, and in so doing, highlight the parallel needs of wildlife and people. Our work carefully synchronizes these needs and creates strategies that benefit multiple parties.

Our programs bridge the gap between scientists, industry, community leaders, educators, NGOs, and the public in an attempt to slow the rate of biodiversity loss, and promote a sustainable economy. In the process, we catalyze sustainable business practices, help ecosystem stakeholders balance their needs and interests, give children and adults opportunities to learn about ecosystems and wildlife, advance wildlife and conservation research, and promote community-based programs to conserve wild lands and wildlife. 

Our main focus is on business needs, and how meeting those needs can also benefit wildlife, ecosystems, and communities. We partner with corporations to create wildlife programs to support a company’s strategic objectives, and we develop enticing spin-off programs such as employee expeditions to associated field locations. 

Sustainable wildlife populations require sustainable local communities. We therefore create projects that not only promote the interests of businesses and wildlife, but also those of communities through capacity building, project employment, and educational opportunities. 

Our approach therefore integrates the needs of wildlife, business and society.

Programs can be based upon corporate marketing and branding needs, or take on more operational significance in those locations where the company has a presence.

Through wildlife stewardship, we can enjoin important internal (employees) and external (communities, scientific academies, governments, NGOs etc.) stakeholders who have an interest.

Canopy is not an environmental advocacy group. We take a very pragmatic approach to finding common ground. Our team includes ecologists, management consultants, business strategists, media and design professionals, and a network of affiliated wildlife biologists from six continents. Our perspective is therefore based upon a broad representation of interests.

We can tailor our programs to meet any company's needs - operationally and geographically.

Canopy's Ecosystem Projects support the development and implementation of conservation projects which are implemented locally and replicated globally.

Stakeholder Forums provide a setting for the development of mutually beneficial strategies among parties vested in ecosystem management. 

In addition, we are attracting the attention of many scientists from around the world with our Affiliate Wildlife Specialist program.

Ecosystem Projects

Canopy facilitates the implementation of local wildlife programs. We work with scientists and businesses to develop and expand innovative projects that meet economic, social, and environmental objectives. 

To derive the greatest benefits for wildlife conservation, Canopy selects pilot programs that offer widespread geographic, cultural and ecological applicability. Our model is therefore developed for replication across a variety of species and locations. The international networking of projects promotes the exchange of valuable ideas and resources for the furtherance of global conservation and sustainable business practices.

To read about one of Canopy’s Ecosystem Projects click here: Project CAT

Stakeholder Forums

Canopy also hosts forums, uniting organizations and people who have a stake in the future of a local ecosystem or bioregion. Forums allow participants to address the needs of wildlife and habitat conservation and seek solutions that will benefit all concerned parties.

To lay the foundation for a forum, we identify priority ecosystems, bioregions and species and build a coalition of relevant individuals, organizations, and sponsors. Then, in concert with Canopy’s network of Affiliate Wildlife Specialists and with the collaboration of coalition members, we undertake exploratory research to illuminate the key ecosystem issues that must be addressed. Canopy publishes the research findings in a white paper, which serves as an information resource for the forum that will follow.

Canopy organizes and facilitates the forums, which assume various forms depending on need. One forum might consist of working sessions held over a three to four day period. Another could offer a series of conferences and follow-up planning sessions held over the course of a year. The forum can also take the form of a leadership council responsible for follow-through on developing plans to implement a conservation and business strategy.