Oikonos
Ecosystem knowledge
Oikonos
Ecosystem knowledge
We are a non-profit organization that studies and protects imperiled ecosystems by engaging diverse communities through innovative scientific and artistic collaborations.
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What we do
We create and implement concrete conservation solutions through rigorous field research and collaborations with communities and the public-private sector.
Species we protect
We have studied over 100 species of birds, plants, mammals and amphibians that live in 16 major ecoregions, from Valdivian temperate forests to the Bering Sea. Learn about some of the birds we are committed to conserving.
Wedge-tailed Shearwater
Wedge-tailed Shearwater This shearwater species is often seen foraging with tunas and is a significant ecosystem indicator in the subtropical and...
Tufted Puffin
Tufted Puffin An iconic species of the North Pacific, the Tufted Puffin has been declining for several decades throughout much of its range.Natural...
Wilson’s Phalarope
Wilson’s Phalarope A banner species of saline lakes in the interior west of North America, that is rapidly losing habitat as saline lakes dry...
Cassin’s Auklet
Cassin’s Auklet Experts at diving for small krill and larval fish, these seabirds are vulnerable to changes in ocean temperature and...
Northern Fulmar
Northern Fulmar Frequently encountered in the northern Pacific and Atlantic; important indicators for marine plastic pollution and threatened by...
Rhinoceros Auklet
Rhinoceros Auklet Long-lived ecosystem engineers and indicators of marine and island health.Natural history A close relative of puffins, the...
Masafuera Rayadito
Masafuera Rayadito It is a poorly known and critically endangered landbird unique to only one island in the worldNatural history Endemic to the...
Juan Fernández Firecrown
Juan Fernández Firecrown Endemic to Robinson Crusoe Island and on the verge of extinction. Natural history Only inhabits the native forest of...
Black-footed Albatross
Black-footed Albatross A charismatic ambassador for ocean stewardship, this species travels vast distances to forage and encounters many threats...
Pink-footed Shearwater
Pink-footed Shearwater A seabird that travels thousands of kilometers across the Pacific, returning to three Chilean islands to nest.Natural history...
Jessie Beck
Stories
Jessie Beck leads Año Nuevo Island and Fisheries Programs from our nest in Santa Cruz, California.
“We work with resource managers, fishers, and researchers to better understand how our fisheries interact with seabirds, and what sustainable fishing systems might look like. I am inspired every day by our partners in the U.S. and South America as we work together to better understand the ecology of our oceans and protect the resources we all rely on”.
Tiare Varela
Stories
Tiare is the local Coordinator of Research and Education Projects on Isla Mocha, Chile. She grew up on the Island.
“In these years working with Oikonos, I realized how special and fragile the ecosystem that surrounds us can be. There is a large group of people who are passionate about conservation, who have shown me another perspective that I did not have before. I learned new tools to protect our environment and in turn, taught others. This has helped me to grow as a person and with a lot of encouragement, to preserve the beautiful paradise we have.”
David Calleri
Stories
David Calleri, Super volunteer for the Año Nuevo Program for over 20 years.
“It has been a privilege to be part of a team that is committed to restoring an important seabird habitat. Working with people who are courageous, talented, and fun to be with, gives me faith in a positive future for our planet”.
Guillermo de Rodt
Stories
Guillermo de Rodt walks at least twice a week to the sector of Piedra Agujereada, where he guards a fence that excludes exotic mammals from a very important colony for nesting marine birds endemic to Chile. Guillermo also monitors each of the White Fardela (Ardenna Creatopus) burrows during the reproductive season, accounting year to year the number of chicks that are born, as well as recording the birds that die from invasive mammals.
“I never thought that I would be working for the conservation of the island where I grew up, and less with other islanders of my generation. I am happy to be able to continue contributing to my native land”.
Blog
Stories of an islander: Mocha Island, my home
My name is Tiare Varela, and I want to share something deeply meaningful to me: the beautiful Mocha Island.
Uniting for migratory shorebirds at the International Phalarope Working Group meeting in Laguna Mar Chiquita, Argentina
Phalaropes are small to medium-sized shorebirds best known for congregating in huge flocks. Their distinctive feeding technique involves spinning in circular motions on the water’s surface to stir up food.
A world where science and art intertwine
On July 7, Oikonos and the Seymour Center hosted an art exhibition highlighting artwork from four local artists that spent a few days completely immersed in the ecological wonders of Año Nuevo Island.
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