From Wild Silk to Fine Art: A Collaboration with Proud Mary What happens when rare Malagasy wild silks meet the imagination of the local artisan team behind Tanana Madagascar regenerative textiles? A new collection of five original textile artworks created by Tanana Madagascar in collaboration with Proud Mary offers one beautiful answer. "The vibrant colors, abstract imagery, radiant silk and sense of movement immediately captivate. When local artisans are given freedom to cr

Introducing a new, limited-edition Tanana Madagascar contemporary textile artwork that celebrates cultural heritage in rare silk. Pictured: Detail from the 'alo alo' wild silk textile artwork. A limited number of the new tapestry will be released by Tanana Madagascar in Fall 2026. 'Alo alo': Connections through time Crafted from the rare wild silks of Madagascar's ghostly silk moth (Ceranchia apollina) and lappet moth (Callopizoma malgassica), the new Tanana Madagascar 'alo

In northeastern Madagascar the future of conservation depends on families who live alongside nature seeing fair benefits from sustaining biodiversity. In the first half of 2026, CPALI and SEPALI Madagascar continued to work hand-in-hand to deliver an impact-driven social enterprise and to advance initiatives that strengthen economic lives, regenerate nature, and elevate innovative local ideas in one of the world's most precious biodiversity hotspots. At the mid-year point, jo

'The Art of Craft', an exhibition opening July 23, 2026 in Charleston, South Carolina at the Allegory Art Collective, will bring together original works commissioned from artisans across Mexico, India, Namibia and Madagascar. 'Folera Mena,' an original wild silk tapestry by Tanana Madagascar artisans, is among the selected works that will be exhibited this July through September.

Mamy Ratsimbazafy, entomologist and Founder of SEPALI Madagascar, shares his insights on purpose-driven leadership and the importance of putting local values first in conservation. From insect scientist to founder - An entomologist by training, Mamy Ratsimbazafy leads Sehatry ny Mpamokatra Landy Ifotony, the Organization of Wild Silk Producers (SEPALI Madagascar). His organization works hand-in-hand with Conservation through Poverty Alleviation International (CPALI) to delive

Lalaina Raharindimby, Lead Artisan for the social enterprise Tanana Madagascar, shares her insights on value leadership. And on how nature-inspired design is helping improve local economic lives and preserving cultural arts in a critical biodiversity hotspot.

Kyley Schmidt, outgoing General Manager of CPALI's social enterprise, reflects on how the venture has grown and what she'll take away as she embarks on her next chapter. Kyley Schmidt and Lalaina Raharindimby display Tanana Madagascar textiles at the Shoppe Object New York Global Artisan Project pavilion in Fall 2024. (Photo: Tanana Madagascar) When you first joined CPALI to oversee Tanana Madagascar, what drew you to the organization's mission? During my Peace Corps service

"We’re built on a simple belief: that local ideas can create transformative change. In this annual report, we proudly outline latest measures of our impact and extend gratitude to all who help our innovative conservation model to succeed." Rachel Kramer, CPALI Executive Director Changing Lives and Landscapes The newly released Annual Report from Conservation through Poverty Alleviation International (CPALI) shares stories and milestones from the past year. It explores how loc

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

Converting invasive plants into a nature-positive local fuel source Over the last year, the SEPALI Madagascar agroforestry and biochar team has used a CPALI seed grant to iterate fuel "bricks" made from invasive water hyacinth combined with local seeds and cemented with banana glue. These team-developed biochar bricks are now powering specially-designed cookers to reduce charcoal and firewood consumption for dye baths at our artisans workshop in northeastern Madagascar. Next

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 remarkable

Each October, the World Lemur Festival helps raise awareness of lemurs and the ongoing effort to conserve these imperiled primates and their habitats together with local communities. Inspired by children's drawings, CPALI's sister artisans in northeastern Madagascar have designed a line of lemur-themed textiles that celebrate many iconic species. Certified Wildlife Friendly and Fair Trade, every lemur made by local artisans for the collaborative social enterprise, Tanana Mada

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

Thanks to a new rainwater catchment system that arrived by boat from the capital this week, all artisans and technicians on the SEPALI Madagascar team now have access to clean water and sanitation drops to help keep them and their families healthy.

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

At the end of June 2025, Dr. Catherine Craig formally retires from the Board of Directors of Conservation through Poverty Alleviation...

With Father's Day approaching, we’re celebrating the amazing fathers on the team in Madagascar! Join us in honoring Tsoly and all the...

This week, we're celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity by sharing joyful scenes from our first tree planting of the season.

With support from a new grant, the first in a series of trainings for village-based women launched last week at our sister team’s...

Celebrating connections to the natural world through renewable materials and ecological themes Artists have long found inspiration in the...