Why Island Restoration Is the Best Investment in Biodiversity 

Our CEO, Penny Becker, joined Planet Money to talk about how holistic restoration on islands yields the biggest return on investment in the environmental space. In the episode, titled “The Cost of Saving a Species”, Hugh Possingham of the University of Queensland says island species are particularly save-able without a lot of financial investment. 

And Possingham’s not the only one. “If you care about endangered species, there’s no bigger bang for your buck than island restoration,” says novelist and Island Conservation supporter Jonathan Franzen. 

Hugh Possingham

University of Queensland

The Pinzón Tortoise: A Case Study in Stopping Extinctions 

Penny shared the story of the Pinzón Tortoise in the Galápagos Islands—a species that hadn’t seen successful hatchlings in over 150 years due to invasive rats.  

After Island Conservation implemented a strategic predator removal campaign in partnership with the Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Foundation, the results were immediate and profound.  

“Just immediately, within one to two years, you’re seeing hatchlings that are successfully growing up on the island again,” Penny shared. 

These quick results are rare in the environmental world, where you sometimes have to wait decades to see the benefits of your work. Islands, though, are special. 

The Biggest Impact in Conservation 

If you’re looking to make a high-impact donation—one that saves species, restores ecosystems, and strengthens communities—look no further than island restoration.

Here’s why: 

• Islands are extinction hotspots: Though they make up only a fraction of Earth’s landmass, islands are home to nearly 40% of all critically endangered animals. 

• Invasive species are the root cause: A staggering 86% of island extinctions are linked to invasive mammals. 

• Restoration delivers exponential returns: On Palmyra Atoll, removing invasive rats led to a 5,000% increase in native tree populations. 

• It yields results: Island restoration can lead to the downlisting of rare species such as the Peruvian Diving-Petrel, which was reclassified from “Endangered” to “Near Threatened” thanks to population resurgence on its newly-healthy island home.   

As Penny said on the podcast, “We’re not just saving one species. We’re restoring entire ecosystems.” 

Your Donation Actually Makes a Difference 

We’re proud to be recognized with a 100% rating on Charity Navigator, meaning your donation goes directly toward high-impact conservation. Whether you’re giving $20 or $20,000, your support helps us: 

• Prevent extinctions and restore healthy populations 

• Restore food security to island communities

• Revive culturally significant species 

• Build resilient ecosystems 

• Bolster the health of marine ecosystems 

And we’re just getting started. As we celebrate 30 years of impact, we’re scaling up our efforts across the globe. This includes pushing the envelope of innovation, too, as we invest in exciting technologies such as heavy-lift drones to make every dollar go further. 

If you want your donation to be cost-effective, high-impact, and truly make a difference, Island Conservation is the best investment in biodiversity. Join the most effective conservation movement on Earth today!