IUCN Save Our Species

Through the hard work of our grantees, advice from IUCN’s many species experts and the support of our incredible donors and partners, we are able to deliver great impact for species threatened with extinction.

Why protect species

The alarm has been raised repeatedly about the decline in biodiversity across the planet. By allowing this decline to continue, we erode the very foundations of our existence.

Find out more about why protect species

Current initiatives

IUCN Save Our Species’ current portfolio is made up of almost 90 projects from all over the world. They are integrated into region-focused or species-focused initiatives.

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Creación del Fondo de Inversión Ambiental para la Reserva Marina de Galápagos

El objetivo es constituir y capitalizar un fondo fideicomisario, que esté anclado al Fondo de Inversión Ambiental Sostenible (FIAS), con la finalidad de proteger preservar y conservar la Reserva Marina de Galápagos (RMG), asegurando su sostenibilidad financiera.

El principal hito a largo plazo que se quiere alcanzar con este fondo es aumentar las 40 millas de la RMG. Además, con este fondo se pretende elaborar e implementar un plan de prevención, conservación y preservación de la RMG. Para lograr estos hitos se definieron tres programas principales. Sin embargo, fueron identificados dos ejes transversales a estos programas como cruciales para lograr una buena preservación y conservación de la RMG, estos son Cambio Climático y Comunicación y Educación Ambiental.

Los tres programas son:

  • Mantener y repotenciar el programa de Control y Vigilancia de la RMG para proteger el patrimonio marino;
  • Garantizar la conservación de la RMG y su integridad ecológica, a través del monitoreo e investigación para el uso racional de sus bienes y servicios ambientales;
  • Contribuir con la elaboración e implementación del Plan de Emergencia para la RMG.
  • La actualización del valor del cobro de las patentes de operación turística;
  • En el Ecuador existe un Fondo de Inversión Ambiental Sostenible (FIAS) que nos permitirá crear este fondo de la RMG bajo su paraguas;
  • La existencia de un Fondo para las Especies Invasoras de Galápagos, anclado al FIAS, es un ejemplo de éxito para la creación del fondo de la reserva marina, aportando confianza para los inversionistas.
  • La creación de este tipo de fondos ayudan a mitigar la inestabilidad del financiamiento por parte del Estado y cooperación externa;
  • En las negociaciones con la cooperación externa para buscar su voluntad para invertir en este fondo, o la ayuda en la busqueda de donantes para el mismo, ha tenido bastante acogida en este medio debido al factor de sostenabilidad en el tiempo;
  • El Estado a través de su Ministerio de Finanzas ha recibido de forma positiva la iniciativa de la DPNG para implementación del fondo;
  • Una de las principales barreras que se tuvo que sortear fue la inestabilidad política. Sin embargo, como explicado en el building block anterior, el caracter técnico de este proyecto superó al político.

How a real estate project can ensure longterm financing for the conservation of a wilderness area

Through a real estate project “Reserva Ecologica Oasis de la Campana” it is possible to protect 1000 hectares of sclerophyllous forest of Mediterranean ecosystem. The project destines a sector that is subdivided into properties of 0.5 hectares for real estate purposes and another sector of 1000 hectares to conservation of Mediterranean forest and its biodiversity. Through the legal framework of reciprocal environmental easements between the parcels of the real estate sector and the area destined for conservation and the delivery of these lands to a non-profit Foundation, the legal protection in perpetuity of the 1000 hectares is ensured. On the other hand, this same legal framework ensures that the common expenses of the owners of the real estate subdivision finance not only the maintenance of their common areas but also the maintenance activities of the wilderness area to be conserved. This includes protection and restoration activities.

Se Buscan Héroes: turismo, alianzas y comunicación para el financiamiento en áreas marinas protegidas

Cuatro organizaciones de la sociedad civil (OSC) integran Paralelo 28 con el objeto de captar recursos para contribuir al manejo y vigilancia de las áreas naturales protegidas (ANP) del Golfo de California. En 2016 lanzan la campaña Se Buscan Héroes en el Parque Nacional Islas Marietas, en colaboración con la Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP) y la Oficina de Visitantes y Convenciones de la Riviera Nayarit.

Se establecen acuerdos entre Prestadores de Servicios Turísticos (PST), OSC y gobierno para instalar un mecanismo de financiamiento que contribuya al buen manejo del ANP. PST forman la asociación Bahía Unida y aportan $40 pesos por turista al Fondo Marietas. Paralelo 28 ejecuta la campaña de comunicación reconociendo a las empresas participantes (+95%). Las OSC y el gobierno ejecutan las acciones de manejo con los fondos generados, ofreciendo transparencia y claridad en el manejo financiero e inician réplicas en otras ANP. Aumenta 5,500% el presupuesto anual.

The Franklinia Foundation – for Conservation Threatened Trees

The Franklinia Foundation is a private foundation under Swiss law established in 2005 that provides financial support for nature conservation projects. Its objective is to ensure the conservation of threatened tree species throughout the world and to improve their conservation status.

Fonseca Species Conservation Fund (FSCF)

The Fonseca Species Conservation Fund (FSCF) was established in 2024 by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Re:wild to honor the passion of the late Gustavo Fonseca, long-standing GEF director of programs, for species conservation and building capacity of the next generation of conservationists.

The FSCF draws on the expertise of IUCN Species Survival Commission Specialist Groups and other key partners to ensure all funding goes toward priority projects. Through the FSCF, grantees will access funding support, the expertise of the selection committees, and connections with partner organizations.

The Terra Viva Grants Directory

The Terra Viva Grants Directory is an online information service on funding opportunities for the developing world in (1) Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry; (2) Biodiversity, Conservation, Wildlife; (3) Energy, Climate Change; (4) Water Resources; and (5) Cross-Cutting Subjects. The platform lists current grant opportunities and profiles of over 800 grant programs, including application deadlines by month, subject area, and form of grant support. Funding News is a blog of open calls for proposals that is updated regularly.

Basic access for project funding or scholarships is free resources. Full access requires a paid subscription.

The Gulf of California Marine Endowment – a public-private partnership to sustainably finance Marine Protected Areas

Mexico’s progress towards meeting the Aichi Targets includes the expansion of the protected area system. Unfortunately, the budget of the National Commission for Protected Areas (CONANP) is not keeping pace, resulting in chronically underfunded protected areas. Thus, supplementary funding from private, bilateral and multilateral donors is crucial for their effective operation. In order to address lacking financial resources and to ensure long-term sustained funding, the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature (FMCN) and CONANP created the Fund for Protected Areas to support the management of 29 federal protected areas. Based on this experience, FMCN created the Gulf of California Marine Endowment (GCME) in 2007 with the goal of contributing long-term conservation of the marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Gulf of California. The GCME currently has a capital of US$9.5 million and a fundraising target of US$30 million.

Palau’s Protected Areas Network Act

The solution establishes a nationwide framework that empowers communities to designate and manage marine and terrestrial protected areas in cooperation with partners. It provides standards, criteria, application processes, and technical and financial assistance for management and monitoring of sites.

OASIIS: Opening Access to Sustainable Independent Income Streams

Social Capital is a critical resource and is the basic building blocks of society, including the economy. At Assist Social Capital (ASC) we put social capital first, and apply it’s principles to the sustainable development solution: OASIIS.

OASIIS is an innovative online platform which aims to promote sustainable economies for the prosperity of people and planet.

Businesses run by social entrepreneurs hold huge potential for driving positive change in our global communities however those which have positive social and/or environmental impacts, struggle to report on their impact and access the capital needed to start, grow and expand their businesses.

By measuring and showcasing the socio-economic footprint of social businesses across protected areas and connecting social entrepreneurs with each other, and with social investors we aim to attract social investment into these areas and stimulate new responsible Protected Area markets and therefore resilience.

Public-private partnership to develop a climate-proof PA network

Fifteen percent of the Western Cape is formally protected. Unfortunately, this network is unrepresentative of the biodiversity contained within the province and does not adequately buffer the province against the impacts of climate change. In an endeavor to supplement the existing network, priority areas, which have been identified through systematic biodiversity plans, are being safeguarded through elaborate public private partnership agreements and mainstreaming avenues.

Biodiversity Tax Incentives For South Africa’s Protected Area Network

South Africa identified protected area expansion as a key tool to ensuring the persistence of its biodiversity and ecosystems essential for its people and economy. Approximately 75% of South Africa is held in private ownership. Landowners bear the responsibility of managing protected areas and face financial commitments as a result. The Fiscal Benefits Project was launched to test biodiversity tax incentives as a financial benefit for landowners declaring protected areas. This began with the introduction of a new tax incentive into legislation. The impact of the incentive was tested at pilot sites across the country, resulting in the successful inclusion of the tax break in a tax return. This has paved the way for other privately owned protected areas to receive financial recognition and ensure the continued governance and management of South Africa’s protected areas, utilising building blocks of policy and grassroots engagement, niche expertise and a supportive community of practice.

La Minga-An Endowment to Secure Community Driven Conservation on Colombia’s Pacific Coast

Conservation International (CI)  and Fondo Acción  (FA)have been actively supporting and contributing to the creation, development and strengthening of three protected areas (RDM Golfo de Tribugá, RDM La Plata and RNP La Sierpe) and communities. To further this work and provide continuity, CI and FA have launched “La Minga” which means “everyone together.” La Minga is an endowment fund and a sinking fund designed to guarantee the financial sustainability of this community-driven network of protected areas (IDM Golfo de Tribugá in Chocó and IDM La Plata, NRP of la Sierpe in valle del Cauca)The fund´s goal is to ultimately help secure the protection of invaluable biodiversity, a deeply prized cultural heritage, and the natural capital on which the local communities depend. This is the first time in
Colombia where long-term financial sustainability for protected area management is being developed with the people who live there, who have driven this process since the very beginning.