Congratulations to the government of Honduras for establishing the first inter-institutional control post to protect the critical Tawahka Asangni Reserve and Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve in the Honduran Moskitia Forest.
The Moskitia Forest is one of the Five Great Forests of Mesoamerica and it is critical to protecting the region’s biodiversity and ensuring its resilience to climate change. In addition to vital forests and endangered wildlife, the new control post will help to protect Indigenous Tawahka and Miskitu communities from land grabs, deforestation, and violence driven by illicit cattle ranchers.
This is one of a number of actions necessary to fulfill the administration’s commitments to the conservation and restoration of the Moskitia Forest.
📷 : Daniel Olivera and Jhonny Sevilla/Wildlife Conservation Society
Congratulations to the government of Honduras for establishing the first inter-institutional control post to protect the critical Tawahka Asangni Reserve and Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve in the Honduran Moskitia Forest.
The Moskitia Forest is one of the Five Great Forests of Mesoamerica and it is critical to protecting the region’s biodiversity and ensuring its resilience to climate change. In addition to vital forests and endangered wildlife, the new control post will help to protect Indigenous Tawahka and Miskitu communities from land grabs, deforestation, and violence driven by illicit cattle ranchers.
This is one of a number of actions necessary to fulfill the administration’s commitments to the conservation and restoration of the Moskitia Forest.
📷 : Daniel Olivera and Jhonny Sevilla/Wildlife Conservation Society
Congratulations to the government of Honduras for establishing the first inter-institutional control post to protect the critical Tawahka Asangni Reserve and Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve in the Honduran Moskitia Forest.
The Moskitia Forest is one of the Five Great Forests of Mesoamerica and it is critical to protecting the region’s biodiversity and ensuring its resilience to climate change. In addition to vital forests and endangered wildlife, the new control post will help to protect Indigenous Tawahka and Miskitu communities from land grabs, deforestation, and violence driven by illicit cattle ranchers.
This is one of a number of actions necessary to fulfill the administration’s commitments to the conservation and restoration of the Moskitia Forest.
📷 : Daniel Olivera and Jhonny Sevilla/Wildlife Conservation Society
One of the ‘best-guarded’ reptiles in the world is making a comeback on the Caribbean’s Union Island—thanks to the hard work and commitment of Union Island residents, regional government, and a coalition of local and international conservation organizations, including Re:wild. The bejeweled Union Island Gecko was first described by science in 2005 and immediately became a coveted exotic pet. Aggressive poaching for the pet trade nearly drove the species to extinction.
But a recent survey shows that conservation efforts are working, including: expanded protected areas, better management of those areas, anti-poaching patrols, 24/7 camera surveillance in the forest, and the highest level of protection against illegal trade under CITES.
The gecko’s population has increased from 10,000 in 2018 to around 18,000 today. The species is found only in the Chatham Bay #KeyBiodiversityArea, which is a site of critical important to the persistence of biodiversity and the health of our planet.
Key partners include the Union Island Environmental Alliance, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Forestry Department, @faunafloraint and @rewild
📷: Jacob Bock/Fauna & Flora International
Galapágos National Park Directorate (@parquegalapagos), in conjunction with other groups, has found several juvenile and hatchling Pink Iguanas on Isabela Island for the first time since the species was discovered in the 1980s. The discovery is helping our partners answer important questions about the Critically Endangered species that will help prevent its extinction.
The Pink Iguana lives atop Wolf Volcano, the tallest peak in the Galapágos archipelago. The volcano is still active, posing a threat to the species, and invasive species brought to Isabela by humans have hunted the iguanas to near extinction. In younger years, the iguana is green and camouflaged from predators, but as it gets bigger and becomes less vulnerable, it loses its pigment, giving it a pink hue from the blood vessels underneath the skin.
“This discovery is a significant breakthrough that helps us identify the pathway to save the Pink Iguana,” said Danny Rueda Cordova, director of the Galapagos National Park. “Knowing all of the threats that make the species vulnerable allows us to implement the actions—primarily against invasive species—that will allow natural processes to continue in these fragile ecosystems.”
Congrats to the national park, the park rangers in the field, and other implementing partners and individuals, including @Rewild, @fundacion.jocotoco, @galapagosconservancy, @islandconservation, @sandiegozoo, @unitorvergata department of biology, @houstonzoo, @ncstate, and @luis.ortiz.catedral
Galapágos National Park Directorate (@parquegalapagos), in conjunction with other groups, has found several juvenile and hatchling Pink Iguanas on Isabela Island for the first time since the species was discovered in the 1980s. The discovery is helping our partners answer important questions about the Critically Endangered species that will help prevent its extinction.
The Pink Iguana lives atop Wolf Volcano, the tallest peak in the Galapágos archipelago. The volcano is still active, posing a threat to the species, and invasive species brought to Isabela by humans have hunted the iguanas to near extinction. In younger years, the iguana is green and camouflaged from predators, but as it gets bigger and becomes less vulnerable, it loses its pigment, giving it a pink hue from the blood vessels underneath the skin.
“This discovery is a significant breakthrough that helps us identify the pathway to save the Pink Iguana,” said Danny Rueda Cordova, director of the Galapagos National Park. “Knowing all of the threats that make the species vulnerable allows us to implement the actions—primarily against invasive species—that will allow natural processes to continue in these fragile ecosystems.”
Congrats to the national park, the park rangers in the field, and other implementing partners and individuals, including @Rewild, @fundacion.jocotoco, @galapagosconservancy, @islandconservation, @sandiegozoo, @unitorvergata department of biology, @houstonzoo, @ncstate, and @luis.ortiz.catedral
Galapágos National Park Directorate (@parquegalapagos), in conjunction with other groups, has found several juvenile and hatchling Pink Iguanas on Isabela Island for the first time since the species was discovered in the 1980s. The discovery is helping our partners answer important questions about the Critically Endangered species that will help prevent its extinction.
The Pink Iguana lives atop Wolf Volcano, the tallest peak in the Galapágos archipelago. The volcano is still active, posing a threat to the species, and invasive species brought to Isabela by humans have hunted the iguanas to near extinction. In younger years, the iguana is green and camouflaged from predators, but as it gets bigger and becomes less vulnerable, it loses its pigment, giving it a pink hue from the blood vessels underneath the skin.
“This discovery is a significant breakthrough that helps us identify the pathway to save the Pink Iguana,” said Danny Rueda Cordova, director of the Galapagos National Park. “Knowing all of the threats that make the species vulnerable allows us to implement the actions—primarily against invasive species—that will allow natural processes to continue in these fragile ecosystems.”
Congrats to the national park, the park rangers in the field, and other implementing partners and individuals, including @Rewild, @fundacion.jocotoco, @galapagosconservancy, @islandconservation, @sandiegozoo, @unitorvergata department of biology, @houstonzoo, @ncstate, and @luis.ortiz.catedral
Galapágos National Park Directorate (@parquegalapagos), in conjunction with other groups, has found several juvenile and hatchling Pink Iguanas on Isabela Island for the first time since the species was discovered in the 1980s. The discovery is helping our partners answer important questions about the Critically Endangered species that will help prevent its extinction.
The Pink Iguana lives atop Wolf Volcano, the tallest peak in the Galapágos archipelago. The volcano is still active, posing a threat to the species, and invasive species brought to Isabela by humans have hunted the iguanas to near extinction. In younger years, the iguana is green and camouflaged from predators, but as it gets bigger and becomes less vulnerable, it loses its pigment, giving it a pink hue from the blood vessels underneath the skin.
“This discovery is a significant breakthrough that helps us identify the pathway to save the Pink Iguana,” said Danny Rueda Cordova, director of the Galapagos National Park. “Knowing all of the threats that make the species vulnerable allows us to implement the actions—primarily against invasive species—that will allow natural processes to continue in these fragile ecosystems.”
Congrats to the national park, the park rangers in the field, and other implementing partners and individuals, including @Rewild, @fundacion.jocotoco, @galapagosconservancy, @islandconservation, @sandiegozoo, @unitorvergata department of biology, @houstonzoo, @ncstate, and @luis.ortiz.catedral
Galapágos National Park Directorate (@parquegalapagos), in conjunction with other groups, has found several juvenile and hatchling Pink Iguanas on Isabela Island for the first time since the species was discovered in the 1980s. The discovery is helping our partners answer important questions about the Critically Endangered species that will help prevent its extinction.
The Pink Iguana lives atop Wolf Volcano, the tallest peak in the Galapágos archipelago. The volcano is still active, posing a threat to the species, and invasive species brought to Isabela by humans have hunted the iguanas to near extinction. In younger years, the iguana is green and camouflaged from predators, but as it gets bigger and becomes less vulnerable, it loses its pigment, giving it a pink hue from the blood vessels underneath the skin.
“This discovery is a significant breakthrough that helps us identify the pathway to save the Pink Iguana,” said Danny Rueda Cordova, director of the Galapagos National Park. “Knowing all of the threats that make the species vulnerable allows us to implement the actions—primarily against invasive species—that will allow natural processes to continue in these fragile ecosystems.”
Congrats to the national park, the park rangers in the field, and other implementing partners and individuals, including @Rewild, @fundacion.jocotoco, @galapagosconservancy, @islandconservation, @sandiegozoo, @unitorvergata department of biology, @houstonzoo, @ncstate, and @luis.ortiz.catedral
Galapágos National Park Directorate (@parquegalapagos), in conjunction with other groups, has found several juvenile and hatchling Pink Iguanas on Isabela Island for the first time since the species was discovered in the 1980s. The discovery is helping our partners answer important questions about the Critically Endangered species that will help prevent its extinction.
The Pink Iguana lives atop Wolf Volcano, the tallest peak in the Galapágos archipelago. The volcano is still active, posing a threat to the species, and invasive species brought to Isabela by humans have hunted the iguanas to near extinction. In younger years, the iguana is green and camouflaged from predators, but as it gets bigger and becomes less vulnerable, it loses its pigment, giving it a pink hue from the blood vessels underneath the skin.
“This discovery is a significant breakthrough that helps us identify the pathway to save the Pink Iguana,” said Danny Rueda Cordova, director of the Galapagos National Park. “Knowing all of the threats that make the species vulnerable allows us to implement the actions—primarily against invasive species—that will allow natural processes to continue in these fragile ecosystems.”
Congrats to the national park, the park rangers in the field, and other implementing partners and individuals, including @Rewild, @fundacion.jocotoco, @galapagosconservancy, @islandconservation, @sandiegozoo, @unitorvergata department of biology, @houstonzoo, @ncstate, and @luis.ortiz.catedral
Deforestation is one of the largest climate issues as vast numbers of precious trees are cut down every year for human needs. Venezuela sees some of the largest deforestations in the world, with the loss of pristine forest estimated to be increasing by around 170%.
Deforestation causes soil erosion, flooding, increased greenhouse gas emission, fewer crops, and a host of other problems.
For more on this story from @newscientist, click the link in bio.
📷: Jorge Silva
New research prioritizes restoring and rewilding islands to maximize benefits for our oceans, our wildlife and our communities. Together, we can establish a new era of holistic restorations – one that embraces the connections between islands and oceans.
The paper, published this month in @thenasciences, unveils a model for effective land-sea conservation and management. We need governments, foundations, Indigenous peoples, local communities, NGOs and conservationists to commit to restoring and rewilding islands.
That’s why @IslandConservation, @Rewild and @Scripps_ocean launched the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge, which aims to restore 40 island-ocean ecosystems by 2030.
#conservation #IOCC #conservationoptimism #climateaction #oceanconservation #seabirdconservation
Climate change and deforestation have created unprecedented drought conditions in northeastern Kenya. Now in its fifth below-average rainy season, the region has failed to produce enough moisture to replenish its scorched landscape. This severe drought presents an uncertain future for the wildlife species and local communities living in the region.
Critically Endangered species like the Hirola antelope—which are already on the verge of extinction—are threatened now more than ever. Indigenous lead non-profit @hirola_conservation has taken immediate action to help provide access to water for wildlife, livestock, and locals, working to mitigate the loss of life and livelihoods during this prolonged drought. Dried-up vegetation has led to a continued deterioration of wildlife and livestock, causing them to become more susceptible to malnutrition, and opportunistic diseases. Hirola Conservation Program works to also provide high-quality food sources to some of the affected species beyond Hirola—including Grevy’s Zebra, Warthog, Water Buffalo, and Somali Giraffe.
With a rapidly changing climate, these conservationists in northeastern Kenya are dedicated to continuing drought emergency measures until their next reliable rains have fallen.
Photo credit: Hirola Conservation Program
Climate change and deforestation have created unprecedented drought conditions in northeastern Kenya. Now in its fifth below-average rainy season, the region has failed to produce enough moisture to replenish its scorched landscape. This severe drought presents an uncertain future for the wildlife species and local communities living in the region.
Critically Endangered species like the Hirola antelope—which are already on the verge of extinction—are threatened now more than ever. Indigenous lead non-profit @hirola_conservation has taken immediate action to help provide access to water for wildlife, livestock, and locals, working to mitigate the loss of life and livelihoods during this prolonged drought. Dried-up vegetation has led to a continued deterioration of wildlife and livestock, causing them to become more susceptible to malnutrition, and opportunistic diseases. Hirola Conservation Program works to also provide high-quality food sources to some of the affected species beyond Hirola—including Grevy’s Zebra, Warthog, Water Buffalo, and Somali Giraffe.
With a rapidly changing climate, these conservationists in northeastern Kenya are dedicated to continuing drought emergency measures until their next reliable rains have fallen.
Photo credit: Hirola Conservation Program
Climate change and deforestation have created unprecedented drought conditions in northeastern Kenya. Now in its fifth below-average rainy season, the region has failed to produce enough moisture to replenish its scorched landscape. This severe drought presents an uncertain future for the wildlife species and local communities living in the region.
Critically Endangered species like the Hirola antelope—which are already on the verge of extinction—are threatened now more than ever. Indigenous lead non-profit @hirola_conservation has taken immediate action to help provide access to water for wildlife, livestock, and locals, working to mitigate the loss of life and livelihoods during this prolonged drought. Dried-up vegetation has led to a continued deterioration of wildlife and livestock, causing them to become more susceptible to malnutrition, and opportunistic diseases. Hirola Conservation Program works to also provide high-quality food sources to some of the affected species beyond Hirola—including Grevy’s Zebra, Warthog, Water Buffalo, and Somali Giraffe.
With a rapidly changing climate, these conservationists in northeastern Kenya are dedicated to continuing drought emergency measures until their next reliable rains have fallen.
Photo credit: Hirola Conservation Program
As COP15 comes to a close, it’s important we reflect on the role humanity plays in the climate crisis, especially with other living beings we share the planet with. Destruction of forests, wetlands and other natural ecosystems have put more than a million species at risk of extinction globally.
The Convention on Biological Diversity brings together more than 190 countries globally with the intent of slowing the decline in nature.
Read more from @npr at the link in bio.
📷: Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images
In 2009, National Geographic Pristine Seas (@natgeopristineseas) explored the Southern Line Islands in the Pacific Ocean and found pristine coral reefs, with thriving corals and large fish abundance. But in 2015-16, an unprecedented ocean warming event killed half of the corals. The Pristine Seas team returned in 2021, hoping to see some signs of recovery. What they found instead was the most spectacular recovery of coral reefs ever witnessed, thanks to the full protection of the reefs from human activity as a Marine Protected Area. The full-length Super Reefs film will premiere in 2023.
Repost from @guardian • Nature is under threat as never before, but what does that actually mean?
Planet Earth is enduring the largest loss of life since the time of the dinosaurs, according to scientists. This loss is being driven by human behaviour, and governments are split on how to respond.
Our Age of Extinction reporter Phoebe Weston explains the five ways we’re killing nature, how the climate crisis is inextricably linked and why the Cop15 summit – which is taking place in Canada right now – is a once-in-a-decade chance to stop the loss of biodiversity.
#Biodiversity #Nature #Plants #Animals #Climate #Environment #LearnOnTikTok
The existence of peatlands is essential to the environment and scientists are sounding the alarm for the protection of the world’s carbon capsules. In a signed state released at the start of this month, more than 40 scientists say the global importance of peatlands must be addressed. Peatlands contain twice as much carbon as is found in all the world’s forests and if they are degraded or drained, they quickly become a source of atmospheric carbon.
To read more on this, click the link in bio.
📷: Nanang Sujana/CIFOR
Repost from @conservationorg
A new study co-authored by @ConservationOrg scientists offers a new way to approach conservation by measuring and mapping areas that provide critical benefits for humanity — like fresh water, protection from flooding and fodder for grazing livestock.
The research is not only the most comprehensive global mapping of nature’s benefits to people, but its methodology can be adapted to national or sub-national decision-making — helping to better account for the impacts of conservation policies and investments on local communities.
Repost from @nowthisearth
•
Connecticut will become the second state in the U.S. to require teachers to educate students about the climate crisis once a new law goes into effect in July. Connecticut’s new law will make it mandatory for grade 5-12 education and will protect the initiative from potential budget cuts by climate-denying politicians. New Jersey became the first state to require climate crisis education in grades K-12 in 2020.
Connecticut State Rep. Christine Palm (D) told the Guardian, ‘The conservative turn in our country … often starts at a very hyper-local level of local town boards of education. There is this push towards anti-intellectualism, anti-science … anti-reason, and I didn’t want local boards of education to have the power to overturn the curriculum and say, ‘Climate change is too political.’’
As the climate crisis worsens, and anxiety along with it, educators are finding it more important to teach the science and give students the chance to innovate solutions. A survey of 10,000 young people conducted in December 2021 found that 59% reported being very or extremely worried about the climate crisis, with 50% reporting negative related emotions such as sadness, anxiousness, anger, and guilt. 75% of respondents said they felt frightened about the future.
#climatecrisis #schoolcurriculum #climatelessons
In a massive win for the planet, world leaders early this morning agreed to a historic deal in Montreal to protect nature. Countries agreed that we must stop biodiversity loss through high ambition changes to our relationship with nature and significantly increased funding to conservation, including the removal of subsidies that aid in the decline of wildlife and ecosystems. This includes a plan to protect at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas by 2030. The plan focuses on protecting the places that are the most important for biodiversity and that provide the greatest benefits to life on Earth, while recognizing and respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities.
Now that this global deal for nature is in place, we must hold our leaders accountable for supporting and enforcing its implementation, ensuring the health of our planet now and for future generations.
#CampaignForNature #COP15
Repost from @bezosearthfund
•
“We will not be able to solve the climate dilemma if we don’t protect nature.”
As Managing Director and Leader for Nature Solutions at the Bezos Earth Fund, Cristián Samper focuses on:
🌊 Protecting the natural ecosystems that remain,
🌳 Restoring the vital landscapes that we’ve lost, and
🌾 Transforming food systems.
Growing up in the tropics instilled Cristián’s fascination for the diversity of life. It inspired him to pursue a career conserving species and wild places, especially since many of the places he once visited to study wildlife have since been destroyed.
To protect and restore these critical ecosystems, we must support the efforts of Indigenous Peoples and local communities – work that Cristián helps champion for the Earth Fund. As he notes, “They need to be our partners and part of the solution.”
To learn more about Cristián’s work at the Earth Fund, visit the link in our bio.
#NaturePositive #ForNature #ForOurPlanet #BezosEarthFund
We could be moments away from a historic global deal for nature that protects at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas by 2030. This plan will focus especially on areas of importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, while recognizing and respecting Indigenous and traditional territories. World leaders in Montreal must keep their ambitious pledges and vow to follow the science about how to address nature’s unprecedented collapse. The world is calling on all countries to do the right thing for the greater cause of all life on Earth. #CampaignForNature #COP15
