Overview
FINDING SPECIES, INC (www.findingspecies.org) was founded in 1996 and formally incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 2003. It has US staff based in Takoma Park, Maryland, and in San Marcos, Texas. It maintains an international program in Ecuador, one of 17 megadiverse countries of the world that harbor more than 60% of the world’s total biodiversity. Finding Species’ operations in Ecuador were officially recognized on September 18th, 2007, upon the signing of an agreement for Technical Cooperation and Operation with Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Finding Species’ mission is To Conserve, Preserve, and Sustain Using Photography, Science, Technology, and Teamwork.
Institutional Development:
Finding Species is: A respected organization which operates in megadiverse countries and in select temperate locations; a sought-after partner for conservation initiatives that values open communication; an inter-disciplinary team of photographers, biologists, policymakers, and finance experts; a builder of partnerships with federal and local governments, local communities, non-government organizations, scientists, and United Nations institutions such as UNESCO and UNDP. Finding Species operates with minimal overhead, prioritizing key areas of program investment.
Values:
The organization’s work always reflects responsibility, teamwork, professionalism, artistic creativity, honesty, respect, idealism, commitment, courage, enthusiasm, and high aesthetic quality.