Est. 1995 · Active 2026

Strengthening
regional resilience
through spatial intelligence

We strengthen the ecological integrity, economic vitality, and community resilience of landscapes and places.

1995Founded
501(c)(3)Status
3Core programs
Ecological
Integrity
Land Use
Planning
REGIONAL
RESILIENCE
NETWORK
Economic
Vitality
Community
Resilience
Habitat
Connectivity
Spatial
Data
What we believe

Our principles

Five interlocking ideas that guide our projects, partnerships, and programs.

Principles
01

Regions

Regions exist at many scales and overlap—each a lens for understanding place.

02

Resilience

The capacity to absorb disturbance and reorganise while undergoing change.

03

Habitat connectivity

A vital ingredient of ecological integrity across working landscapes.

04

Human needs

Economic vitality and community resilience are inseparable from ecological health.

05

Collaborative web

Most actions toward regional resilience require a web of willing partners.

2026 focus

Our approach

Facilitating the access and analysis of spatial data required for prudent land-use policy and planning.

Spatial synthesis & communication

Synthesizing spatial analyses and communicating results in ways that bolster knowledge and enable wise decisions by communities and policymakers.

Core expertise · 01

Wildlife habitat connectivity mapping

A core expertise in wildlife habitat connectivity, linkage design, and synoptic connectivity modeling—mapping what ecological integrity requires across working landscapes.

Core expertise · 02

Regional web-mapping atlases

Community-centered atlases built on principles of knowledge sharing integrity—prioritizing data ownership, control, and interaction. Evaluating Data Basin and other platforms.

Core expertise · 03
What we do

Initial programs

Three programs address distinct gaps in how communities access and act on spatial knowledge.

Flagship · Fiscally Sponsored Partner Org

The Linkage Mapper Project

Wildlife habitat connectivity mapping and analysis at the regional scale. Linkage Mapper Services translates complex spatial data into conservation intelligence that directly informs land-use policy.

Featured capability
Synoptic Connectivity Modeling — broad-scale landscape-level analysis for regional planning decisions.
ConnectivityGISConservation
Service

Consulting program

Our full range of land-use planning and policy expertise applied to client needs—resilience mapping, urban planning, and spatial analysis tailored to each region and community.

Resilience mappingUrban planning
Platform · Standalone or bundled

Regional Atlas Program

Atlases designed around community needs for data ownership and interaction. Built on Principles of Knowledge Sharing Integrity. Example: Santa Barbara County Conservation Blueprint (2019), co-created by Dr. Gallo.

Data BasinOpen dataCommunity
Conception Coast Project

Coming off standby. Evaluating the most effective avenues to re-engage with the region. More details to follow.

Regions of interest

Initial list under active development. Will be shared when five regions are confirmed—possibly sooner.

Our story

History

1995

Origins in Santa Barbara

A grassroots effort to map and protect core wildlife habitat areas and the linkages connecting them—within the region and to neighboring regions. Community members organized a weekend retreat to launch the work.

1999

Conception Coast Project · 501(c)(3)

Incorporated and began delivering a Regional Conservation Guide plus extensive mapping, analysis, and data services to the Santa Barbara community.

2007

Broadening scope

Branched out to explore the world and put lessons learned into practice. Entered standby while continuing to share insights and strategize for re-engagement.

2020

Became Regional Resilience Network

Adopted the RRN name to reflect multi-regional work and a broadened focus on resilience across ecological, economic, and community dimensions.

2026

Reactivating

Coming off standby with renewed purpose. Launching three core programs, growing our team, and reconnecting with communities ready to build resilience.

People

Staff

A small expert team with deep roots in conservation science, geospatial technology, and community-based planning.

JG

John Gallo, Ph.D.

President & Science Director
CV
NB

Niall Bell, MSc

Technology Director
CV
JB

Justin Brice

Senior Geospatial Facilitator
CV

Board & Volunteers

Significant growth expected in 2026. We have openings on our Executive Board, Advisory Board, Board of Trustees, and for Volunteers and Interns.

Express interest →
Monthly meeting cycle
M1Executive Board only
M2+ Advisory Board
M3+ Board of Trustees
M4+ Volunteers & Interns
M5All together
M6Executive Board only
Reach out

Contact

Interested in partnering, commissioning an analysis, or getting involved?

Primary contact
John Gallo, Ph.D.
President & Science Director
Technology
Niall Bell, MS
Technology Director
Geospatial
Justin Brice
Senior Geospatial Facilitator