Act now to support wildlife conservation and science

A closeup of a Galapagos penguin looking back at the camera.

One of the reasons I started the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels at the University of Washington was to provide a place to train students in long-term ecological research and wildlife conservation. In these uncertain times, generating support for evidence-based science is more important than ever.

In 2009 we established the Center and the Wadsworth Chair in Conservation Biology. Our initial focus was on Galápagos and Magellanic penguins, but we have since expanded our work. Now, the Center includes African wild dogs, whales, and human-wildlife conflicts.

This is YOUR opportunity to make a lasting impact in support of wildlife conservation and science. Your tax-deductible contribution can be made as a one-time donation, monthly, or over a 5-year period such that a donation of 50K/year will result in 250K for the Center. Any amount is welcome and will help advance the Center’s goals. This is a decisive moment for the next generation of students and scientists. Please donate to help the Center do what we do best.

Wildlife is telling us the state of our planet. We listen. We take action.

Dee Boersma, founder

Make a donation

scroll down for more information about our five funds

Send a check

Send checks payable to the University of Washington Foundation to:

Center for Ecosystem Sentinels
UW Biology
Box 351800
Seattle, WA 98195-1800

Benevity

If your company matches donations through Benevity, make a donation to the UW Foundation and then contact us with the donation details.

General Questions

If you have any questions about giving, such as how to give through your donor advised fund or make a tribute gift, please 1-877-UW-GIFTS (1-877-894-4387).

The cost of research

Here are examples of some of our most recent expenses for different field work trips:

Penguin research at Punta Tombo, Argentina

$50-$100 – Purchase supplies for local field assistants (e.g., epoxy, liquid neoprene, Tesa tape)
$800 – Purchase new tires for our truck
$1,200 – Purchase satellite tag for live penguin tracking
$2,000 – Purchase field tablet
$3,000 – Fund a student’s field work travel and meals
$5,000 – Sponsor a Very Important Penguin

African wild dog research in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

$50-$100 – Purchase supplies for local field assistants (e.g., binoculars, GPS device)
$500 – Purchase field computer
$1,500 – Purchase radio tracking equipment (e.g., radio-antenna and receiver)
$3,000 – Fund student research & field experiences
$5,000 – Purchase a tracking device & sponsor an endangered animal

Five funds, five causes

There are five different ways you can help fund our research:

Ecosystem Sentinels Research Fund: Our Magellanic penguin research is fully funded through this fund, as well as most of the salaries in the Center. This also acts as a general fund for the Boersma Lab, and the Center as a whole.
Wildlife Ecology and Global Change Discretionary Fund: This gift fund is a general fund for the Abrahms Lab.
Boersma Endowed Chair in Natural History and Conservation: This fund supports the Boersma Endowed Chair, currently held by Dr. Briana Abrahms.
Henry and Vivian Boersma Endowed Student Support Fund in Conservation Sciences: A fund for student-led research at the Center, undergraduate or graduate.
Sue E. Moore Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Marine Ecosystem Sentinels: A fund supporting graduate students in marine conservation whose studies or research involves the Center.

Kids Changing the World, One Drive at a Time

Learn more about three of our youngest donors and how they are making difference and inspiring others.

Pennies for Penguins. Zachary Touger helped raise attention for the endangered Galápagos penguins during his TedxYouth talk and runs an annual Pennies for Penguins campaign, raising more than $1,000 to help the Galápagos penguins.
It’s never too early to start giving. After a school lesson on compassion, Viola Miller broke open her piggy bank, and crayons, to help the penguins.
Recipient of the 2013 “Outstanding Youth Achievement Award” continues giving. Her 2013 fundraising event for the penguins of the Indianapolis zoo wasn’t the last event for the young philanthropist. After hosting a successful 2017 fundraiser, Lauren Harmon helped raise over $1,600 to help support our penguin research.