Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative

Black Cherry TreeThe mission of the Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative (NBI) is to conserve the native biodiversity of Nantucket through collaborative research, monitoring and education.

Objectives:

  • To work in partnership with conservation organizations, educational institutions, governmental agencies, local businesses and individuals to further the mission of the NBI;
  • To support and facilitate biodiversity research on Nantucket, Tuckernuck and Muskeget Islands and surrounding waters and share results with the scientific community and the general public;
  • To develop a comprehensive inventory of island species and document population trends;
  • To coordinate the cataloging of data and reports and organize the deposition of biological species at appropriate institutions;
  • To detect and manage invasive exotic species that pose a threat to biodiversity on the islands;
  • To educate the public about the significance of diverse biological communities and inspire them to become responsible stewards of the environment; and
  • To make biodiversity information available to conservation organizations, government agencies and the general public involved in decisions that affect Nantucket’s environment.

NBI is a collaborative effort of the following organizations: Linda Loring Nature Foundation, Maria Mitchell Association, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Spcies Program, Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Nantucket Islands Land Bank Commission, Nantucket Land & Water Council, Nantucket Memorial Airport, Science Department of the Nantucket High School, Trustees of Reservations, Tuckernuck Land Trust, UMass Boston Nantucket Field Station and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Learn more about the Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative (NBI).