“The sustainability of our economic system very much depends on the sustainability of nature and its ecosystems. We need to price nature’s services properly to reflect the true cost of our actions. The new paradigm does that by market valuing the ecosystem services of a living nature.”
~ Dr. Ralph Chami, International Economist
about +NATURE
We see living ecosystems as assets
Both flora and fauna provide essential services like carbon capture, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.
+Nature helps develop nature-positive solutions that benefit the market, communities, ecosystems, and future generations. Our role is catalytic, bridging the gap between pre-valuation and lasting financing so projects don’t stall due to the lack of funding.
Our mission is to advance nature-based solutions to sustain life on earth
Through our work with youth, published research, experience, artful storytelling, and collaboration with the growing number of carbon market creators, we see a nature positive future. Together with Blue Green Future, known for their groundbreaking ecosystem feasibility and methodology practices at the fore of natural asset valuation, we see a viable path forward, one where economic systems work with nature instead of against it. Valuing nature for what it is: the true market that sustains us.
Supporting a Nature Positive Regenerative Economy
Our current economy is an engineered, extractive economy and cannot be sustained. It is based on a consumption-driven model of "growth for the sake of growth" and treats nature as an externality, creating a future "ecological and resource debt" for future generations.
Through our organization, we support a public facing team addressing the urgent need for a nature positive economy. Our +Nature initiative works to offset economic growth with ecological regeneration.
+nature staff
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Bonnie Monteleone
Chief Executive Officer
Bonnie Monteleone is an environmental advocate and artist whose work has spanned oceans and continents. After sailing nearly 10,000 nautical miles through four of the five major oceanic gyres, she co-founded the Plastic Ocean Project in 2012, launching a global mission to combat plastic pollution. Bonnie has spent the past 17 years educating audiences around the world through scientific research, public speaking, and striking art installations created from marine debris. Her dedication has mobilized thousands to take action and rethink our relationship with plastic, helping to spark meaningful change for our oceans and future generations.
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Andres Ventura
Carbon Sequestration Project Lead
Andres is one of our youth leaders who obtained a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology with a concentration in Marine Conservation from the University of North Carolina Wilming.ton. Living in a coastal town is not an accident for Andres. Since an early age, Andres developed a deep connection with marine environmental restoration topics. His personal mission is to leave the world better than he found it. Andres first joined POP as an intern and later as a Lab Assistant, where he is actively assisting with laboratory work as well as field projects. He is currently assisting in a field project to measure the carbon sequestration of a re-vegetation project at the local
landfill.
+nature Board of directors
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Andy Schroeder
President
Andy Schroeder has dedicated his career to the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems. Originally from the Little Miami watershed of Ohio, Andy was stationed on Kodiak island, Alaska as a U.S. Coast Guard officer, serving two tours. After his service he made Kodiak his home, founding and running the nonprofit Island Trails Network for 17 years. In 2011, he helped launch a research vessel company to assist agencies and universities in conducting biological sampling and oceanographic surveys across Alaska. Most recently, he co-founded the Ocean Plastics Recovery Project, an initiative aimed at scaling marine debris cleanup while creating recycling pathways for recovered materials. Andy brings to +Nature a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, scientific collaboration, and innovation in ocean conservation.
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Ann Stewart
Secretary
Ann Stewart brings decades of global experience to +Nature, with a career rooted in environmental diplomacy and sustainable development. A former U.S. Foreign Service Officer, Ann served for 22 years with the Department of State, with postings in Haiti, Colombia, Costa Rica, and China. In her role with the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, she advised on regional environmental policy and played a key role in establishing 12 international environmental hubs. Her work has contributed to global initiatives such as the Afghan Conservation Corps, the Peru-Ecuador border peace park, and early warning systems following the 2004 Indonesian tsunami. Since retiring in 2006, Ann has trained U.S. diplomats in environmental and climate policy. She holds degrees in Spanish, French, and International Business Affairs from the University of Kentucky, and has pursued postgraduate studies in environmental economics and policy. Ann is a recipient of multiple U.S. Department of State awards and Colombia’s Orden de San Carlos.
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Brian Morgan
Treasurer
Brian Morgan is a strategic thinker and entrepreneur with a passion for innovation and sustainable growth. With a diverse background spanning investment, startups, real estate, and finance, Brian brings a keen ability to identify untapped opportunities and develop forward-looking solutions. He is known for his blend of analytical precision and creative problem-solving, as well as his talent for navigating complex business landscapes with emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership. A strong advocate for partnerships that drive positive impact, Brian’s work consistently reflects his commitment to fostering innovation and building meaningful, lasting value across industries.
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Jay Bassett
Jay Bassett is a systems thinker and regenerative leader with a deep commitment to reimagining our relationship with waste, resources, and community. With nearly 40 years of public service as a U.S. Naval Officer and senior leader at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Jay has championed a shift from linear models of consumption to circular, community-centered solutions inspired by nature. As a national advisor for Sustainable Materials Management (SMM), he helped reshape the EPA’s materials strategy to prioritize regeneration, environmental justice, and grassroots collaboration. Now deeply engaged in the Southeast, Jay supports frontline communities in accessing federal climate and circular economy funding, most notably through initiatives like Breaking Barriers and RebuildATL, a recipient of the DOE Community Clean Energy prize. His work bridges national policy with place-based innovation, reflecting +Nature’s mission to uplift both people and planet through systems aligned with natural intelligence.
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Anne Montgomery
Anne is a veteran policy analyst and health systems researcher with deep expertise in aging, caregiving, and long-term services and supports (LTSS). Her career spans senior roles in Congress, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Alliance for Health Reform, and Altarum, where she helped shape national policy on Medicare, Medicaid, and family caregiving. A member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and the American Society on Aging, Anne is also an Atlantic International Public Policy Fellow, recipient of multiple national awards for public service, and a founding member of the +Nature Coalition.
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John Gove
John Gove is a farmer, photographer, and storyteller with a deep-rooted connection to land and community. Raised on a fruit and vegetable farm in Massachusetts, John developed an early appreciation for sustainable food systems and food security. His love for the outdoors fuels a broader passion for environmental conservation. When he’s not tending fields, John documents the world through his lens—capturing stories of adventure, resilience, and often-overlooked perspectives. Through his work, he aims to inspire awareness and deeper connection to the natural world.
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Harry Antibus
Harry Antibus is a professional musician who has traded his career in music for a career in climate, due to his deepening concern for all life on the planet. Harry began his work in climate creating music for environmental movies, including Who Killed the Electric Car and short films for Telluride Mountainfilm. His time working at a recycling startup in San Francisco created deeper nationwide industry engagement which has led him to his involvement in +Nature, and his goal to sustain life on earth.
+ NATURE ADVISORS
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Nina Butler
Nina is the CEO of Stina Inc., a mission-driven company focused on aligning human behavior with the natural world. A respected voice in environmental leadership, Nina has presented on global stages including the United Nations Summit, World Plastic Summit, World Bank, and the Nat Geo Circular Economy Forum. She has testified before the U.S. Congress and served as a subject matter expert for organizations like XPrize and OPEC. Through her work, Nina leads groundbreaking research such as the Plastic Recycling Study—and champions collaborative initiatives that advance circular economy principles. Her team also developed CircularityInAction.com, a resource hub to support systemic change. Nina holds a master’s degree in environmental management from Duke University and serves as an advisor to both the Ocean Plastics Recovery Project and +Nature.
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Madison Haley
Madison Haley holds a Bachelor of Science in Science, Technology, and Society with a minor in Communication from Stanford University. She also pursued studies in Civil and Environmental Engineering at George Washington University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, where she engaged in research and teaching assistantships, academic tutoring, and international study in South Korea. Active in campus leadership, she contributed to Engineers Without Borders and other applied learning initiatives that connected technical innovation with social and environmental outcomes.