Wise Ancestors
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Our mission is to protect biodiversity by enabling unprecedented collaboration between genomic scientists and Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities (IPLC).
Our goal is to significantly slow the rate of biodiversity loss while uplifting IPLC leadership. Wise Ancestors is a nonprofit on a mission to protect biodiversity by enabling unprecedented collaboration between genomic scientists and Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities. We aim to address the extinction crisis with biotechnology, Indigenous Science, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and unprecedented collaboration. Wise Ancestors is committed to co-creating and developing species-specific research projects (ie. “Conservation Challenges”) with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) for the purpose of producing genomic information, strengthening IPLC conservation efforts, and supporting Indigenous data sovereignty. Our goal is to contribute to worldwide efforts to significantly slow the rate of biodiversity loss while uplifting IPLC leadership. We are dedicated to building genuine relationships with IPLCs and researchers around the world to co-develop Conservation Challenges, raise funds, recruit collaborators and coordinate their work of sequencing and biobanking in a decentralized manner, while building a resource and education hub. Together we can accelerate IPLC-driven conservation initiatives and genomic research that protects biodiversity for a beautiful, abundant, and resilient future. Wise Ancestors is a fiscally sponsored affiliate of United Services Agency, a 501(c)3 corporation, EIN: 77-0311835. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
16/09/2026
We’re incredibly honored to announce that we’re a member of the IUCN and the IUCN US National Committee!
We plan to use our membership status to advocate for Indigenous rights including but not limited to Indigenous data governance and free, prior, and informed consent as it pertains to generating genomic data of plants, animals, and fungi.
We also plan to champion the need for utilizing both genomic and Indigenous knowledge systems (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) for effective species and habitat conservation.
Whenever possible, we are committed to supporting motions led by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
We are eager to be a part of one of the leading global networks working to protect biodiversity.
Read more about what this means for our nonprofit organization at the LinkTree link in our bio! 🧬
10/09/2026
Did a pure Bermuda cedar survive the devastating blight—and could genomics hold the key to its future? 🌳🧬
The The Bermudian Magazine goes behind the scenes of our Conservation Challenges for the critically endangered Bermuda Cedar (Juniperus bermudiana) with BioQuest, where cutting-edge genomic science and generations of local knowledge are coming together to protect one of Bermuda’s most iconic species.
Click our link in bio to read the article, and please let us know if you have any questions in the comments!
Did you know our work in Colombia is building local capacity for habitat restoration, bioinformatics research, and biodiversity monitoring?
Jhonatan is one of five Antioquia Biomonitores (Biomonitores_Norte), a new community-led conservation program helping complete Wise Ancestors Conservation Challenges 3-7 in partnership with Instituto Humboldt Colombia, Neotropical innovation® [Innovación Neotropical]], and Iniciativa de Conservación del Montañerito Paisa (iCMP).
These Conservation Challenges are generating new genomic research on two endemic species:
🐦 Critically Endangered Antioquia Brushfinch (Atlapetes blancae), known in Spanish as the “Montañerito Paisa”
🐦 Enigmatic antpitta in the genus Grallaria, whose taxonomic affinities are under study
Learn more about this initiative by visiting our link in bio!
High up the Andes mountains north of Medellín, five young adults from the local Paisa community are helping us complete Wise Ancestors Conservation Challenges 3 - 7. Today we’re sharing Cristian’s story.
Cristian is a part of the Antioquia Biomonitores Program (Biomonitores_Norte) in partnership with Instituto Humboldt Colombia, and Neotropical innovation® [Innovación Neotropical]].
He’s learning new skills in biodiversity monitoring and habitat restoration to support locally-led conservation efforts for two range-restricted birds:
1. Critically Endangered Antioquia Brushfinch (Atlapetes blancae), known in Spanish as the “Montañerito Paisa”
2. Enigmatic antpitta in the genus Grallaria, whose taxonomic affinities are under study
Cristian reminds us that we all have a role to play in protecting and restoring biodiversity. What’s yours? Let us know in the comments!
To learn more about our Conservation Challenges in Colombia, please visit our link in bio!
Video produced by Santiago Chiquito
Creating opportunities for community-led conservation is at the heart of what we do. This short video featuring Tatiana Restrepo Ruiz, one of five Antioquia Biomonitores, shows how impactful this work can be.
The Antioquia Biomonitores Program (Biomonitores_Norte) was born out of Wise Ancestors Conservation Challenges # 3-7 in partnership with Antioquia-based NGO Neotropical innovation® [Innovación Neotropical]] and Instituto Humboldt Colombia.
The Biomonitores are learning new skills in biodiversity monitoring, data collection, conservation genomics, and ecosystem restoration from experts at Instituto Humboldt Colombia and Neotropical innovation® [Innovación Neotropical]].
Once completed, the Conservation Challenges will generate:
🧬 reference genome for the critically endangered Antioquia Brushfinch (Atlapetes blancae), known in Spanish as the “Montañerito Paisa”
🧬 reference genome for an enigmatic antpitta whose taxonomies are under study (unnamed species in Western science)
🧬 diet studies for both birds
🧬 population studies for both birds
This research will significantly strengthen local conservation efforts, enable future studies, and ultimately support the regeneration of a critical ecosystem north of Colombia’s capital which is under threat due to deforestation and agriculture.
Visit our link in bio for more information about all our Conservation Challenges and take action on our website platform!
Video by Santiago Chiquito.
31/07/2026
🦬 July is National Bison Month! We hope this post serves as a reminder that we can not only bring species back from the brink of extinction, but, by doing so, restore cultures, knowledge systems, and ecosystems.
Swipe through to learn five fascinating facts about this remarkable species. ➡️ Let us know if you were surprised by any of them.
And, if you’re intrigued to learn more, we highly recommend watching “Bring Them Home” (Thunderheart Films) and “The American Buffalo” by Ken Burns on PBS.
All photos used in this post were taken by Katie Jones, our Community Engagement Director, at Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
22/07/2026
Last call to have your donation to our Indigenous led Bosenge tree 🐛🌳 planting & sequencing project for food security in Congo Basin multipied!
Thanks to Ma Earth and their philanthropic partners including Biome Trust and One Earth, donations made today will not only be matched, but multiplied based on an innovative quadratic funding model.
Learn more and give here at our link in bio! 💚🐛🌳
This project is a collaboration between the Indigenous Peoples of Botsike Village, Équateur province, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Local NGO APAGEC-RDC (Association des Peuples Autochtones pour la Gestion de l’Environnement au Congo), which maintains a strong relationship with local communities in the Équateur Province. Special thanks to African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP)! 🧬
Time’s running out! 🚨 Can you give $1 to our Bosenge tree 🐛🌳 restoration project on Ma Earth that will:
🧬 Generate the first reference genome for the Bosenge tree (Uapaca guineensis), a critical host species for edible caterpillars that support local food security and income, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples of Botsike Village in Équateur province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
🌳Plant 100 Bosenge trees close to Botsike Village in a location selected by community elders that will be tended and protected by community members for the production of edible caterpillars for both local consumption and economic value.
🐛 Tap our link in bio to learn more and donate! 🌳
All donations will be multiplied thanks to Ma Earth — but only if they’re received by July 21st!
Why give today? Commercial logging has reduced access to these trees, forcing community members to travel farther to harvest caterpillars and increasing pressure on subsistence livelihoods.
We appreciate everyone who has donated and shared. Together we can make this project a reality. 🌍
Can you give $1 by July 21st to our Congo Basin restoration project on Ma Earth that will:
🧬 Generate the first reference genome for the Bosenge tree (Uapaca guineensis), a critical host species for edible caterpillars that support local food security and income, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples of Botsike Village in Équateur province, Democratic Republic of Congo.
🌳Plant 100 Bosenge trees close to Botsike Village in a location selected by community elders that will be tended and protected by community members for the production of edible caterpillars for both local consumption and economic value.
🐛 Tap our link in bio to learn more and donate! 🌳
All donations will be multiplied thanks to Ma Earth — but only if they’re received by July 21st!
Why give today? Commercial logging has reduced access to these trees, forcing community members to travel farther to harvest caterpillars and increasing pressure on subsistence livelihoods.
We appreciate everyone who has donated and shared. Together we can make this project a reality. 🌍
crowdfund
17/07/2026
There are 4 days left to be a part of enabling breakthrough genomic science for a species vital 🐛🌳 to Indigenous food systems and biodiversity in the world’s second largest rainforest.
Despite its importance for local communities, there is no reference genome for the Bosenge tree (Uapaca guineensis) nor any other species in the genus Uapaca, leaving a gap in the scientific knowledge that is critical for sound conservation decisions.
Bosenge is an important host tree for several species of edible caterpillars which are a vital food and income source for the community. Commercial logging, an issue across the Congo Basin, has significantly impacted access to this tree and the caterpillars.
Community members from Botsike Village, an Indigenous community in Équateur province, Democratic Republic of Congo, describe having to devote significant portions of their day to travel much further to find Bosenge trees and collect caterpillars. In the face of industrialization and climate change, food insecurity is a primary concern.
Your contribution will help generate a reference genome for the Bosenge tree and plant 100 trees closer to the Botsike Village in an area selected community elders, that will be tended and protected by community members for production of edible caterpillars for both local consumption and economic value.
We know there are so many worthy causes to donate to nowadays, and would be very grateful to receive a donation of any size to our “Indigenous Led Tree Planting & Sequencing For Food Security in Congo Basin” project on Ma Earth, where it will be not only matched but multiplied!
Even $1 can make a huge difference thanks to Ma Earth’s quadratic funding model where the amount of individual donors matters more than the amount even.
This work is only possible with the community’s leadership, permission, and generations of stewardship.
🧬 Learn more and donate by clicking our link in bio!
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