Wondering what went right this week in the conservation world? We’ve got you covered with our Conservation Optimism Round-Up! We are collating stories of optimism from around the globe so that you never miss your dose of weekly motivation.

1. ‘Extinct’ wood-feeding cockroach rediscovered on Lord Howe Island

” A wood-feeding cockroach unique to Lord Howe Island has been rediscovered The native cockroach was last seen more than 80 years ago and was believed to be extinct on the main island ”

2. Colorado’s state fish, once considered extinct, is reproducing naturally in native waters

” Colorado’s state fish, the greenback cutthroat trout, was once considered completely extinct, but state biologists announced Friday that the species is now reproducing on its own.  This is just another affirmation that our conservation practices work and that we can save species on the brink,” said Kevin Rogers, an aquatics researcher for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “

3.

Guatemala’s rainforest is expanding thanks to community efforts

“‘A community-led conservation programme in Guatemala has halted and started to reverse two decades of deforestation in an area that was severely threatened by the land grabs of cattle ranchers and drug traffickers.”

4. Australia announces plan to halt extinction crisis and save 110 species

” The federal government has set a goal to prevent any new extinctions of Australian wildlife. It is the first time a federal government has announced a zero extinctions target for the country’s plants and animals. The goal forms part of a 10-year plan to improve the trajectory of 110 species and 20 places, and protect an additional 50m hectares of land and sea area by 2027. ”

5. Ospreys make triumphant return as breeding pairs spread across UK

““I’m over the moon. We’ve waited a long time for this.” Beth Dunstan, environmental project manager at Belvoir Castle is celebrating the birth of the first osprey chicks in Leicestershire for two centuries this summer, one of a series of recent successes in bringing the osprey back across the UK.”

6. Eurasian Beaver now legally protected in England

“Eurasian beavers have been recognised as a European protected species in England, making it illegal to capture, kill, injure or disturb them.”

7. Bolivia’s former ‘death road’ is now a haven for wildlife

” A steep and narrow road north from La Paz once claimed an average of 300 lives per year. However, since the construction of a safer road in 2007, traffic has dropped 90% and wildlife has returned. Scientists placed camera traps on and around the road and spotted 16 species of medium and large mammals including the Andean bear and the dwarf brocket deer, and 94 species of birds. “

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