Leslie Brunetta, long-time CPALI Board Director and Clerk (2004-2025) and co-author of Spider Silk: Evolution and 400 Million Years of Spinning, Waiting, Snagging and Mating (Yale University Press 2010) with CPALI Founder Dr. Catherine Craig, reflects on two decades of service to the organization, and what she's learned watching CPALI grow from idea to impact. Leslie Brunetta (Photo credit: Petra Silton/CPALI) Twenty-plus years ago, I joined CPALI as a favor to my friend and

Take a closer look at the endemic species behind CPALI's Nature-based Textiles Initiative An Antherina suraka wild silk moth in northeastern Madagascar. This endemic moth's brown silk cocoons are sustainably collected by trained local farmers and converted into stunning Certified Wildlife Friendly and Fair Trade textiles by SEPALI Madagascar artisans in partnership with CPALI.ORG . Our collaborative nature-based social enterprise, Tanana Madagascar , connects these remarkabl

At dawn, before the first rays of sun touch Madagascar's Bay of Antongil, Fabriola is awake. She prepares for her day, cares for her young son, and cooks with rainwater brought home from work. Life as a young mother in rural Madagascar (or anywhere, for that matter) leaves little room for rest — and even less for certainty. But this year, Fabriola looks to the future with confidence, thanks to her return to work. Fabriola sews wild silk cocoons on a Singer sewing machine. Wh

Scaling opportunities for village women to participate in nature-based enterprise can help advance conservation and deliver livelihood...