Our Story

The end does not justify the means, the end and the means are one.

Our Mission

The Ecological Research & Development Group (ERDG), founded in 1995, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to protecting the world’s four horseshoe crab species. ERDG believes environmental stewardship and economic prosperity are not in conflict—they can and must evolve together.

To that end, we work to inspire and assist individuals, communities, governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and industries to solve problems, change behaviors, and make sound decisions that lead to sustainable ecosystems, compassionate conservation, and shared prosperity.

Our Philosophy

At ERDG, we believe conservation begins not with mandates, but with mindset. Our work is rooted in the conviction that real change arises when people care enough to act—not out of guilt or pressure, but from genuine understanding and connection. We are not here to dictate, but to listen.

We build trust, meet people where they are, and foster partnerships that turn conflict into cooperation. Whether working with resource users, regulators, researchers, or communities, we strive to illuminate the value of coexistence rather than compliance.”

We believe the story of the horseshoe crab is more than an ecological concern—it is a call to conscience. In their ancient resilience, we see a reflection of our responsibility. And in the quiet, persistent work of conservation, we see the power of heart-led leadership to shape a more compassionate future.

1995–2001

2002–2004

2005-2014

2015–Present

Timeline Lead Slide 1995-2001

1995–2001

Foundations of a Global Compassionate Movement

In a time when horseshoe crabs were largely overlooked, ERDG emerged with a singular focus: protect the world’s four species through education, collaboration, and community-based conservation.
These formative years laid the groundwork for an international movement grounded in compassion, science, and trust.

Timeline Content Slide 1995

1995

A Vision Is Born

Glenn Gauvry founds the Ecological Research & Development Group (ERDG), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a singular focus: the conservation of the world’s four horseshoe crab species.

Rooted in compassion, ERDG becomes the first and only organization of its kind devoted exclusively to protecting these ancient mariners and their fragile habitats, while helping foster a deeper appreciation for one of Earth’s oldest and most overlooked species.

Timeline Lead Slide 2002-2004

2002–2004

International Threads Begin to Form

As ERDG’s reputation and influence grew in the United States, it began looking outward toward Asia, where three of the world’s four horseshoe crab species faced increasing threats.
Starting in Japan and China and later extending to India, ERDG took its first steps into international conservation, seeking to better understand the status of Asian horseshoe crab species and the people working to protect them. These early efforts marked the beginning of a journey that would eventually connect people, ideas, and conservation initiatives across continents.