 For the first few years, the organization operated on a volunteer basis.Duane Silverstein became the first employee in 1999, and headquarters were relocated to Berkeley, not far from his residence.Because of the high risk of extinction for island fauna and the decline in coral reef ecosystems, Seacology's primary focus is projects in which villagers sign contracts under which they agree to help protect either terrestrial or marine habitat for a specified time in return for new buildings or services.