Zoom Event: The Genetic Rescue Toolkit
Revive and Restore is a non-profit organization that uses biotechnology for their Bird Conservation Program.
Climate change and habitat loss have led to declines in many bird species. The Bird Conservation Program is geared towards restoring genetic diversity to dwindling bird populations, provide immunity to invasive disease, and use biotechnologies to provide adaptive traits to allow birds to overcome climate change. Their work centers around “the Genetic Toolkit.” The toolkit is an integrated platform of genomics (study of genetic data of a population), and reproductive technologies to enhance existing conservation measures, and create new opportunities to save species. Ben Novak, the lead scientist and our event speaker, is working to use these technologies for the de-extinction of the passenger pigeon, as well as innovations leading to conservation of all living endangered birds.
Additional info/resources:
https://reviverestore.org/projects/about-the-passenger-pigeon/
https://reviverestore.org/biotech-for-birds/
TED Talk: Intended Consequences of Helping Nature Thrive
Born in western North Dakota, Ben’s childhood immersion in the wilderness—witnessing reintroduced herds of bison and bighorn sheep—sparked his passion for conservation. Ben earned degrees in Ecology and Evolution at Montana State University and UC Santa Cruz. He manages over 20 projects developing Artificial intelligence genomics tools and reproductive technologies. He has led genetic rescue for the black-footed ferret and the de-extinction effort to restore the passenger pigeon.