Story | 28 Jul, 2014
Rising murder toll of park rangers calls for tougher laws
With poachers responsible for more than half of ranger deaths over the past two years, IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the International Ranger Federation (IRF) call for a toughened stance against wildlife crime globally, marking World Ranger Day celebrated across…
Publication | 2014
Urban protected areas : profiles and best practice guidelines
As our cities continue to grow, we should defend the protection of natural areas and even try to create new space for nature within this urban fabric. This volume explains the context and concept of urban protected areas, profiles urban protected areas in 15 metropolitan areas around the world,…
Story | 01 May, 2014
Viet Nam ratifies the Nagoya Protocol
Montreal, 1 May 2014 – With four new ratifications in the last week, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization has received 66% of the necessary ratifications, with only 17 more ratifications needed for it to…
Press release | 21 Mar, 2014
Assessing countries’ true land restoration potential now possible, says IUCN
The largest landscape restoration initiative in history gained further momentum today - the International Day of Forests - as IUCN and other partners provide the world’s nations with new guidance on assessing their national restoration potential.
Story | 23 Feb, 2014
(Un)protected Areas: Rosewood Poaching in Thailand’s Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai World Heritage Site
The Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex encompasses some of the most pristine forests and wildlife habitats in Thailand and is globally important for its biodiversity; that is why it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. However, in recent years, the four national parks and…
Story | 04 Feb, 2014
Entrepreneurship for World Heritage in Africa: sign up to the workshop
The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), in partnership with the Centre for Heritage Development in Africa (CHDA) and Ecole du Patrimoine Africain (EPA), launch the call for applications for the training workshops on entrepreneurship.
Press release | 02 Feb, 2014
IUCN welcomes Total’s ‘no-go’ commitment in World Heritage sites
Oil and gas company Total has confirmed that it will not carry out extractive operations within natural World Heritage sites, including Virunga National Park. IUCN welcomes this decision and calls on all oil and gas companies to follow suit.
Story | 06 Jan, 2014
IUCN World Parks Congress - a video preview
They provide inspiration and adventure, supply food and water, offer natural defences against climate change and support the livelihoods of millions of people.
Story | 14 Nov, 2013
Myanmar seeks global standards to conserve its natural heritage
Myanmar is renewing efforts to implement the World Heritage Convention. As the country opens up to international conservation processes, IUCN is providing expertise to help identify potential natural heritage sites.
Story | 14 Nov, 2013
Scientists identify the world’s most irreplaceable protected areas
A new scientific study has identified the protected areas most critical to preventing extinctions of the world’s mammals, birds and amphibians. Resulting from an international collaboration, this analysis provides practical advice for improving the effectiveness of protected areas in conserving…