About us
An estimated 45,300 species are at risk of extinction. We are in a race against time to collect and preserve vital genetics that will, if needed, support breeding programmes and be instrumental in ensuring the survival of our natural world.
What we do
Nature’s SAFE began by a small group of cryoconservation specialists with a passion for wildlife. It has now grown into a global group of conservation scientists working to ensure all species can be safely stored in a living state.
We work with conservation partners across the UK, providing a free service of storage and stewardship of these priceless samples.
Donate NowTraditional biobanks focus on storing DNA in ultra-cold freezers for use in genetic research.
Vs
In our ‘Living Biobank’, we cryopreserve reproductive cells and tissues indefinitely in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. During the freezing process, the structure of the cells are protected so that they remain intact and in a living state.
Once thawed, these cells can be used for cell culture and within breeding programmes to increase genetic diversity in populations.
As a third-party service, sample ownership remains with the source institution.
Who we work with
We provide our service to zoos, wildlife parks and wildlife rescue centres across the UK, free of charge. By partnering with these institutions, we are expanding the range of species and individuals from which genetic material is collected, helping to preserve genetic diversity for threatened species.
Conservation PartnersDue to the scale of the challenge to preserve our natural world, it needs a collective approach. We work with businesses of all sizes who share our vision of a sustainable, and healthy future.
Corporate PartnersNature’s SAFE Ambassadors are a distinguished and expert group of people who have achieved a significant profile in their field and are dedicated to the work of NS.
our patron
Sir Ranulph Fiennes has been credited as ‘The World’s Greatest Living Explorer’ by the Guinness Book of World Records, and ‘one of the world’s top ten speakers’ by the Daily Telegraph.
He was the first person to ever cross both Antarctica and the Arctic Ocean via the Poles, and to cross Antarctica by foot. At the age of 65, he summited Mount Everest.
Through his 60-year career, he has led over 22 expeditions across the globe and witnessed the changes to our habitat and biodiversity first-hand.
governance
Nature’s SAFE is registered as a charity in England and Wales (No 1192876). We are governed by our Board of Trustees.