
Empowering Europe’s youth to protect pollinators and address biodiversity threats – IUCN SOS
The IUCN Save Our Species programme, in collaboration with the European Union, is pleased to announce the launch of the European Fund for Youth Action on
The IUCN Save Our Species programme, in collaboration with the European Union, is pleased to announce the launch of the European Fund for Youth Action on
As human-wildlife conflicts become more frequent, serious and widespread worldwide, they are notoriously challenging to resolve, and many efforts to address these conflicts struggle to make progress. These Guidelines provide an essential guide to understanding and resolving human-wildlife conflict. The Guidelines aim to provide foundations and principles for good practice, with clear, practical guidance on how best to tackle conflicts and enable coexistence with wildlife. They have been developed for use by conservation practitioners, community leaders, decision-makers, researchers, government officers and others. Focusing on approaches and tools for analysis and decision-making, they are not limited to any particular species or region of the world.
Displaced organisms are individuals and groups of animals, plants, or fungi that have been recovered from legal or illegal trade, driven from their habitats through habitat destruction or human-wildlife conflicts, displaced or incapacitated by catastrophic events (fires, floods, and extreme weather events) or climate change, or captured or collected by humans. The full scale of irresponsibly translocated organisms is difficult to measure as most are unrecorded. Following the steps in this guidance, attempts can be made to maximise the conservation benefit of translocations of displaced organisms.
Societies around the globe harvest wild species, to a greater or lesser extent, for food, building materials, healthcare, medicines, pest control, ornamentation, income, recreation, and cultural and spiritual purposes. While this use of wild species directly contributes to the well-being of billions of people globally, over-exploitation of wild species is one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss. The IUCN Guidelines on harvesting threatened species advise decision-makers on whether, how and what to harvest to ensure the sustainable use of threatened animal, plant and fungal species. Drawing on insights from the IPBES Sustainable Use Assessment, they complement and expand on existing guidance and tools, such as the Guidelines for the Appropriate Use of IUCN Red List Data in Harvesting of Threatened Species and recent CITES guidance on the conduct of Non-Detriment Findings.
Tabe’a III addresses the status and trends in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in the Arab region during the period from 2015 to 2019. This review was conducted in the context of emerging global trends and priorities associated with the World Heritage Convention, as well as other related global natural heritage platforms and programmes. Tabe’a III documents progress made in the conservation of natural and mixed World Heritage sites in the Arab region, as well as providing an update on the state of conservation of natural sites. Additionally, special themes address key priorities which have emerged from heritage protection, conservation challenges and opportunities arising in the region. Finally, there is a summary update on the Arab States’ lists of possible candidate sites, known as Tentative Lists, with notes on their development since the Tabe’a II report.
Protected and conserved areas (PCAs) have been proven to provide enormous value to nature, people and the economy. They are an effective means by which species, habitats and ecosystems can be conserved, restored and sustainably utilised. This Guide provides detailed frameworks, descriptions and insights into the use of conservation finance solutions to achieve PCA outcomes. The guidance presents the case for PCA investment and sustainable finance, describes the role and use of finance and economics to achieve PCA outcomes, and presents guidance on how to conduct strategic and practical financial planning in support of these outcomes.
Ngao Model Forest in Lampang, Thailand, faces significant wildfire challenges due to agricultural burning, which affects the environment and local livelihoods. The community, led by a team of women in Ban Pong village, has successfully managed to keep the area fire-free for the past decade through regular patrols, awareness campaigns, and the use of modern technology. Their efforts have not only reduced wildfires but also expanded community forests, created economic opportunities, and empowered women in leadership roles. This initiative highlights the importance of community engagement and sustainable practices in addressing environmental issues while bringing social and economic benefits.
Ngao Model Forest, located 250 kilometers from Thailand’s second-largest city, spans 175,159 hectares. Established in 1964 to address social, economic, and environmental challenges, it joined the International Model Forest Network in 2000. The community’s shift towards sustainable practices has preserved over 60% of forest cover and diversified economies with bamboo businesses, medicinal plant cultivation, and edible insect farms. Biodiversity conservation is central, ensuring species survival and contributing to global carbon emission reduction.
Tun Mustapha Park (TMP) is Malaysia’s largest multi-use marine protected area, supporting diverse coral reef ecosystems and coastal communities that rely heavily on marine resources for their livelihoods. However, like many coral reefs globally, parts of TMP’s reef systems have been severely degraded due to destructive fishing practices, climate change impacts, and other human-induced pressures. To address this, a large-scale coral restoration initiative was introduced using the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS) — an innovative method that uses hexagonal steel structures, called reef stars, to stabilize rubble fields and accelerate coral regrowth. A key strength of this initiative is its emphasis on collaboration and local engagement. The project actively involves local communities and stakeholders fostering a sense of shared responsibility in reef rehabilitation. Through these partnerships, the project has improved coral cover and fish habitat, and strengthened stewardship of marine resources.
In the south of Kilifi County, Kenya, deforestation pressures intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic led to extensive degradation of mangrove ecosystems. In response, WWF-Kenya, through the Bengo Project, partnered with the Kenya Forest Service and the Mtwapa, Takaungu, and Kilifi Community Forest Associations (CFA) to restore these vital landscapes. This solution focused on revitalizing community governance by restructuring the CFA, building local capacity through training on governance and leadership, and developing a Mangrove Participatory Forest Management Plan. Other actions included supporting community-managed mangrove nurseries and deploying trained community scouts. The initiative restored 47 degraded mangroves, enhanced community ownership, improved local livelihoods, and increased resilience to climate change, demonstrating how empowering local institutions can lead to long-term ecosystem recovery.
In response to growing environmental challenges, Montenegro is embracing digitalization and new technologies to safeguard its biodiversity. As part of the “Biodiversity Mainstreaming into Sectoral Policies and Practices and Strengthening Protection of Biodiversity Hotspots in Montenegro” (GEF 7) initiative, the project has facilitated cross-sectoral and multi-institutional cooperation while piloting innovative solutions aimed at improving decision-making processes and biodiversity protection through enhanced data collection, institutional collaboration, and the application of new technologies.
Lions like any other big carnivores need large, connected areas to thrive, but in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, human-lion conflict—especially due to lion-livestock attacks—has prompted to retaliatory lion killings. To address this, KopeLion developed the Ilchokuti model which involve training and employing local pastoralist young warriors from Maasai and Tatoga pastoralist communities. These trained individuals monitor lions, warn herders of the presence of collared/non-collared lions, recover lost livestock, and respond to conflicts. By reducing threats to both lions and livestock, the Ilchokuti help foster coexistence and build community support for conservation. Their work has improved tolerance for lions, reduced lion killings, stopped traditional lion hunts and enabled safe movement for dispersing lions across village lands. As a result, lions are increasingly seen as a valued part of the landscape, and the Ilchokuti model is now a vital part of securing sustainable lion populations and connectivity in the area.
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