Sustainable Ecosystems Institute (SEI) is an organization of dedicated and ethical scientists committed to using their technical expertise to help solve ecological issues. SEI is out on the front lines in environmental conflicts and crises, acting as a catalyst to mobilize scientific and educational talents and apply them to real world issues. The Institute does not attempt to make value judgements concerning land use or resource policy; instead, we seek to educate society, to provide the scientific and technical know-how which is necessary to predict the consequences of possible decisions or actions, and to guide communities, governments, and the public in efficiently and effectively protecting and conserving the environment. We feel that everyone, from environmentalists to industry to regulators, has a valid stake in environmental decision making, and therefore deserves access to the most up-to-date, scientifically sound analyses available. SEI uses science not only to inform decisions, but also to bring differing constituencies together, mediate between conflicting value systems, and to demonstrate that, more often than not, common ground may be found. By building consensus, rather than contributing to environmental debates, we can maximize our chances of successfully protecting and rehabilitating the ecological systems upon which we all depend.

All of SEI's work must meet three criteria:

Be scientifically sound.
Directly benefit the communities which are affected by the ecological issue in question.
Be carried out in a non-partisan manner which fosters cooperative problem solving.

SEI categorically does not engage in litigation. Our goal is to guide communication and assist in cooperative problem solving; lawsuits run counter to this mission.

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SEI works to sustain natural communities and the human communities which depend on them using science-based, cooperative solutions.

The Institute was founded in 1994 by marine ecologist Dr. Deborah Brosnan, who explains its mission: "When you look at the major crises in the world today, most of them are rooted in the environment. National security, health, cultural integrity, and social justice: they all have roots in how we use and care for the environment. As scientists, we have dedicated our lives to learning about how ecosystems work and what maintains them. Yet, every day thousands of decisions which affect ecosystems and the human condition are made without scientific input. You would never build a bridge without an engineer, and yet we would rest the fate of the planet on a poorly informed decision. This is shocking. As scientists, we need to assume a greater role and responsibility in society. Science has a unique contribution to make in solving ecological problems. Scientists have enormous talents and knowledge, yet these lie unused. SEI was formed to bridge the gap between the scientific community and society at large."

Since its inception, the Institute has grown by leaps and bounds, expanding to cover not only coral reef and bird ecology, but also marine and terrestrial ecosystems more generally, as well as the sociopolitical interface between science and public policy. With ties to well over a hundred scientists at dozens of academic and research institutions across the country and abroad, SEI is more prepared than ever before to help guide environmental decisions at local, national, and international levels, wherever we are needed.

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SEI is staffed by a team of active scientists, interns, and volunteers who love science and the species, communities, and ecosystems with which they work. They care deeply not only for the environment itself, but also about what happens to the people who depend upon that environment for their living. Organizationally and personally, SEI is genuinely committed to leaving a strong ecological legacy for future generations and works hard to make this hope a reality. However, we also recognize that, with regard to the environment, very few simple answers exist, and that our best hope therefore lies in a careful, well-planned, scientific approach to conservation. SEI's board includes some of the best known biologists and conservation scientists in the world, and our areas of expertise cover a broad range of biological and ecological subjects, from marine ecology to forestry and endangered species issues to botany and fisheries. Our backgrounds are equally diverse, drawing scientists from academia, government, and the private sector. Given the complexity of environmental problems, and the incredibly high economic and ecological stakes involved in solving them, this breadth of background and experience is a great asset. To visit our personnel profiles, click here.

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Although SEI is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the Institute works nationally and internationally on ocean issues, forests, endangered species, and the interface between science and policy. Our programs range from the coasts and forests of the western United States to the coral reefs of the Caribbean and the forests of the Russian Far East and Siberia. A major branch office operates out of Meridian, Idaho, and SEI scientists are active in California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Montana. Additionally, SEI personnel frequently travel across the country to attend scientific meetings and conferences, converse with agency representatives, and discuss science and policy issues with Congressional delegations. Although SEI's efforts to date have focused in these locations, the Institute has no strong geographical bias, and, provided the resources are available, will go where it is needed.

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SEI's operations encompass four main activities. First, the Institute provides Scientific Advising services to individuals and organizations in need of assistance in dealing with ecological or natural resources issues. SEI scientists provide technical input, advise, and training for local personnel, as well as suggesting ways in which the scientific components of conservation or resource management plans may be strengthened. Second, SEI's Peer Review and Scientific Involvement program connects land owners, NGOs, businesses, resource managers and other interested parties with experts who can help design scientific programs. The Institute also organizes independent Science Advisory Panels in order to review materials and ensure that decisions are science-based. Third, SEI underwrites cutting edge Scientific Research in order to address current and emerging ecological problems. Often, the research undertaken by SEI scientists focuses on specific conservation issues, although the Institute also supports some more generalized, theoretical inquiries. Finally, SEI organizes meetings and symposia in order to Train Scientists to communicate more effectively with the general public while maintaining scientific integrity and credibility.

For more information, click on Programs and Services to the left.

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SEI starts projects in two ways. First, the Institute receives requests for assistance from individuals or groups and evaluates them with regard to our guidelines. If they meet our criteria and we have the necessary resources, SEI takes on the projects. Alternately, SEI identifies issues in urgent need of attention or which we anticipate may become future problems. The Institute then carries out the research and convenes the groups necessary to adequately address these topics, with the goal of prevent them from becoming major crises. In both cases, all participants must adhere to the three policies described in the Introduction, and all of the materials associated with the project are made publicly available.

If you or your organization has a project which you believe SEI may be able to assist you with, please review our main Program Areas and Services. If your project falls within these general headings, is consistent with our mission, and you are willing to abide by the Institute's principles of cooperation and transparency, please contact us directly. If you have any questions, feel free to call or write to Johnny Leuthold, Programs Coordinator, at 503-246-5008 or sei@sei.org.

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SEI is funded through a combination of government, individual, corporate and private monies. The Institute is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. For detailed information on funders and individual projects, including a copy of our 990 form (in Adobe PDF format), click here.

Projects deriving from outside requests for assistance may be supported in a variety of ways, depending on the issue and the client's ability to help fund the project. A certain amount of work each year can be performed pro-bono, and the Institute has, for instance, carried out population viability analyses and reviews for conservation groups free of charge. Without our help these groups would have been disenfranchised from ecological debates and decisions, due, in part to their lack of funding. Ultimately, we hope to be in a position to do more such work and "level the ecological playing field," so that everyone has access to the same levels of scientific information and expertise. Additionally, the SEI scientists acting as researchers or advisors on a specific project are often funded directly, either by the clients or by outside grants. If necessary, SEI will work with groups requesting assistance to seek funding for individual projects.

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SEI is funded in large part by government and foundation grants, in addition to private and corporate donations. As we attempt to build consensus and bring various constituencies together to solve ecological problems, we work with a wide variety of partners on all sides of environmental debates. A list of these Partners and Sponsors is available here.