Our mission is to inspire worldwide environmental stewardship by fostering a cultural shift in the perception of insects through research, education, and conservation.
GEC is a young non-profit, but has already made strides in the international science community, earing the 2025 Best in STEM award and one of the Entomological Society of America's 2024 Science Communication Awards. The rest of the entomology field is primarily focused on agriculturally significant insects and vector control, which is very important, but our work centers on conservation through discovery and exploration: documenting biodiversity, identifying new species, and studying the intricate ecological roles insects play in stabilizing global ecosystems rather than how to control them. Every new insect discovered, every behavior recorded, and every ecological connection revealed brings us closer to understanding the planet’s most fundamental life systems, and ultimately how to protect them. We collaborate with scientists, institutions, governments, the public, and field stations worldwide to fill critical gaps in global insect data and ensure that conservation strategies are not only created with insects as just part of the equation, but with insects recognized as the key indicators of environmental health that they are. Through programs like Expedition Entomology, a STEM accredited experience, we connect research directly to our international community, bringing scientific discovery into the public sphere. Our education programs are designed to immerse participants in the living world of insects. From tropical rainforests to urban habitats, GEC creates hands-on, sensory learning experiences that reveal the beauty, complexity, and necessity of invertebrate life. These experiences go beyond lectures and exhibits, they’re participatory explorations where science, storytelling, and conservation meet. Participants don’t just learn about insects, they discover alongside us, helping collect real scientific data, explore wild habitats, and build a personal connection to the environment that lasts long after the experience ends. We are building a global coalition where individuals of all races, ethnicities, cultures, genders, abilities, and identities are not only welcomed but empowered to lead. We affirm and support LGBTQ+ communities and actively oppose all forms of racism, discrimination, and systemic exclusion. We recognize the critical importance of uplifting historically marginalized voices in science, education, and environmental leadership. Diversity drives discovery: Scientific progress is enriched by a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas. Equity builds resilient systems: Fair access to resources, leadership, and opportunity strengthens science and conservation outcomes. • Inclusion makes progress possible: A culture of belonging fosters innovation, collaboration, and long-term impact. Because our best hope for a healthy planet walks on six+ legs.
Expedition Entomology is an award winning initiative by the Global Entomology Coalition that takes science to the community. Through immersive field expeditions to some of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems, our teams work to discover new insect species, document critical populations for conservation, and deepen our understanding of the natural world. Each expedition connects scientists, students, and curious explorers in hands-on research and education, bridging the gap between discovery and public engagement.
Your donations directly empower this mission: they supply vital research tools and field equipment, fund new discovery-driven conservation projects, and support local communities by helping integrate conservation science philosophies into education and livelihood programs. Contributions also subsidize costs for students and public participants, ensuring these transformative research experiences remain accessible to the next generation of scientists and nature advocates. Funding this project allows our taxonomists to dedicate the time needed to describe new species and publish their findings, turning field discoveries into lasting scientific knowledge.
Our public education programs immerse participants in the fascinating world of insects, offering hands-on experiences that teach about biodiversity, ecology, and conservation. From interactive workshops to guided field explorations, these programs connect people of all ages to the critical role insects play in sustaining ecosystems. Donations directly support these programs by funding educational materials, field equipment, program development, and scholarships, ensuring that students, educators, and the public can experience science firsthand, regardless of financial means.