Our History
Our Team
In Memoriam
Dr. Larry H. Thompson
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend & mentor, Dr. Larry H. Thompson, in December 2024. A retired molecular biologist and geneticist, devoted conservationist, and gifted bird photographer, Larry
was a passionate advocate for nature, women's education, and reproductive rights, and for those working tirelessly to protect our planet. His legacy lives on through the lives he inspired and the causes he championed.
Our generous heart and visionary leader.
Larry's generosity made a profound and lasting impact on the future of conservation. As the very first donor to seed fund Women for Conservation's initiatives, his initial gift of $25,000 helped transform a vision into a reality, formalizing years of dedication and groundwork. Larry believed in our mission from the very beginning. His contributions continue to fund scholarships for education and family planning for girls and women, creating brighter futures for countless individuals. Beyond financial support, Larry's belief in young leaders uplifted and empowered conservationists like Seejan Gyawali-fouder of Birds Nepal-helping shape them into the impactful leaders they are today
A Legacy That Lives On: Dr. Larry H. Thompson's kindness, vision, and generosity will never be forgotten. His legacy lives on in the flourishing conservation efforts he helped establish, the young scientists he mentored, and the communities he uplifted. His unwavering belief in the power of conservation through
education and empowerment continues to inspire us all. For further details of late Dr. Lawerence Thompson, here is a link: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.radres.org/resource/collection/27173576-33E8-4AE5-A277-884D41DA2019/Larry_Thompson_DNA_Repair_Obituary.pdf
About US
Birds Nepal is a Nepali nonprofit dedicated to protecting birds and their habitats through long-term monitoring, scientific research, and community-based conservation outreach. The organization focuses on Nepal's most ecologically important and most threatened landscapes, with particular emphasis on the grassland and wetland species whose populations have been hit hardest by habitat loss, illegal hunting, and climate pressure. The organization was founded in honor of the late Dr. Lawrence Thompson, a molecular biologist at the Livermore laboratory in California whose post-retirement passion for bird photography led him to support conservation organizations around the world. Birds Nepal carries that legacy forward, applying rigorous field science and direct community engagement to the protection of some of South Asia's most endangered birds.
Our Challenges
Nepal sits at the intersection of what Birds Nepal calls the "triple planetary crisis"—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—and the country's bird populations are bearing a disproportionate share of the impact. Local pressures compound the picture: illegal hunting and poaching of birds and wildlife, illegal fishing, the degradation of grasslands by fire and overgrazing, and significant research gaps that leave protected area managers without the data they need to respond effectively. Grassland and wetland specialists—including some of Asia's rarest birds—are among the most exposed.
Our Approach
Birds Nepal works as an action-oriented organization that combines field science with direct community partnership. Their core activities include long-term monitoring and scientific research on key bird species and habitats; conservation awareness and outreach in areas with the highest hunting and poaching pressure; training programs designed to help local communities transition from nature-dependent livelihoods to alternative income sources; and direct engagement with protected area managers and government stakeholders to translate field data into species action plans.
Why We Need Your Help
As a young organization working in one of South Asia's most biodiverse but most under-resourced bird habitats, Birds Nepal relies on international donors to fund the fieldwork, training, and stakeholder engagement that keep their conservation work moving. Through Conservation Allies, 100% of every donation flows directly to the program—funding the science, the outreach, and the action plans that will determine whether Nepal's most endangered birds have a future.