Scientist at ViaGen Pets & Equine adding cell culture to test tubes. ViaGen is a Revive & Restore biobanking partner. | ViaGen Pets & Equine
The award supports innovative use of artificial intelligence to protect biodiversity and advance climate solutions worldwide
[Sausalito, California] — October 23, 2025 — Revive & Restore has been selected as one of fifteen global teams awarded funding through the Bezos Earth Fund’s AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge, receiving $2 million to innovate and scale artificial intelligence solutions that address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges — from biodiversity loss to climate change.
Revive & Restore’s research team will develop two breakthrough AI tools that democratize advanced genomics for wildlife conservation. The first tool will automate the time-intensive final steps of assembling complete genome sequences for endangered species, dramatically accelerating the pace at which scientists can decode an animal’s full genetic blueprint. The second tool will function as an AI-powered conservation advisor, analyzing genetic data to provide actionable recommendations for genetic rescue—identifying which populations need genetic intervention and how to implement it effectively. Together, these tools will enable any conservationist, regardless of genomic expertise, to make science-backed decisions that protect species for generations to come.
“For the first time, we’re creating tools that will put the power of genomic conservation into the hands of field biologists and wildlife managers worldwide,” said Ryan Phelan, Co-founder & Executive Director of Revive & Restore. “This is about interpreting genomes to help save endangered species and making these powerful insights accessible to conservationists everywhere before it’s too late.”
Launched in 2024, the Bezos Earth Fund’s AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge is a $100 million initiative designed to harness the power of artificial intelligence to tackle the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The program connects innovators with resources and mentorship from leading technology partners including AWS, Google.org, NVIDIA Corporation, Microsoft Research, AI2, and Esri.
“These projects show how AI, when developed responsibly and guided by science and local knowledge, can strengthen environmental action and ensure its overall impact on the planet is positive,” said Dr. Amen Ra Mashariki, Director of AI and Data Strategies at the Bezos Earth Fund.
Ben Novak, Revive & Restore’s Lead Scientist, will lead the project in partnership with Dr. Erich Jarvis and Dr. Giulio Formenti of The Rockefeller University’s Vertebrate Genome Lab and Dr. Ayshwarya Subramanian of Cornell University. Through an established collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Informed Biobanking Initiative, the team will test these AI tools , assembling complete genomes and generating conservation strategies for at least 60 endangered U.S. species. USFWS biologists have already proposed 70 threatened and endangered species for the project spanning mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, molluscs, and plants—a diverse portfolio that will demonstrate the tools’ broad applicability across the tree of life. The tissue samples collected will simultaneously build a critical biobank, creating a genetic safety net for future conservation interventions.
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About Revive & Restore
Revive & Restore is the leading wildlife conservation organization promoting the incorporation of biotechnologies into standard conservation practice. The Sausalito, California, nonprofit was formed in 2012 with the idea that 21st-century biotechnology can and should be used to enhance genetic diversity, build disease resistance, and facilitate adaptation. Its mission is to enhance biodiversity through the genetic rescue of endangered and extinct species.
