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. (Featured Image: French Polynesia)
1.Eleven Countries Launch First Commitment to Protect Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs
At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), a growing coalition of countries and partners launched and signed a high-level global commitment to protect climate-resilient coral reefs, setting a new bar for ocean action in a warming world.
🧵 from #UNOC3: 11 countries signed a commitment to protect climate-resilient coral reefs.
— WCS (@TheWCS) June 11, 2025
This is vital, said @MelissaW_Enviro of @BloombergDotOrg at the announcement, as earlier this year we learned that 84% of reefs have been exposed to heat stress. pic.twitter.com/L9YMRYJ0TG
2. Reintroducing native grazing breeds for landscape reintroduction
“Ten Highland cattle and eight Exmoor ponies are being introduced to the Trent Valley in Derbyshire as part of a rewilding project intended to restore habitats and increase biodiversity.
The hope is their behaviour will mimic that of their ancestors, such as aurochs, elk and wild horses, creating so-called “mosaic landscapes” where wildlife can thrive.”
You can read more here.
"They are ecosystem engineers. They create fantastic, diverse mosaic habitat which boosts wildlife and creates a resilient eco-system overall." #rewilding #conservationoptimismhttps://t.co/zrNbfNm1u5
— Citizen Zoo (@CitizenZoo) June 13, 2025
3. Highest number of Great Indian Bustard spotted in years!
“73 GIBs spotted in a waterhole survey in the semi arid region of India. This is a big win for the breeding centre of GIB as there numbers are slowly rising in the wild.”
🌟 Big win for #wildlife!
— Mukesh Mathrani (@mukeshmathrani) June 17, 2025
73 #GreatIndianBustards spotted in Jaisalmer during June 11 waterhole census — highest in years! 🐦💚
Hope shines for this critically endangered bird.#GIB #Jaisalmer #WildlifeCensus #Conservation #Rajasthan @wii_india @BustardProgram pic.twitter.com/dY21f2hh5k
4. Schools of fish thrive after fishing ban in Yangtze
“Less than five years into China’s 10-year ban on fishing in the key waters of the Yangtze River basin, massive fish schools were spotted in a tributary.”
Less than five years into China's 10-year ban on fishing in the key waters of the Yangtze River basin, massive fish schools were spotted in a tributary. #ecology #fish #Yangtze #restoration pic.twitter.com/RE7gVk6ECP
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) June 16, 2025
5. Japanese railways install turtle tunnels
“Japan’s West Japan Railways come up with turtle tunnels to prevent turtles from getting stuck in the tracks.”
Japan’s West Japan Railway Company took a unique approach to protect turtles that were getting stuck on train tracks. Instead of relocating them or putting up barriers, they built U-shaped concrete "turtle tunnels" under the tracks. pic.twitter.com/1MP2zjBv7i
— Facts & Wisdom (@FactPoint) June 14, 2025
6. UK bans bottom trawling in more than 40 marine protected areas
“Thanks to the film OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, the world has seen the destruction caused by bottom trawling. Building on that momentum, over 17K people signed the e-action promoted by Only One, Oceana and Blue Marine Foundation. In response, the UK government announced its intention to ban on bottom trawling in 41 offshore marine protected areas.”
Bottom trawling tears up fragile seabed habitats & harms the life that depends on them.
— RSPB (@Natures_Voice) June 9, 2025
Today’s UK Government decision to ban it in 40+ Marine Protected Areas offers hope: a chance to let our seas recover & life return. 🌊
Let's see Marine Protected Areas live up to their name. pic.twitter.com/o65clY155F
7. An industrial wasteland becomes home to birds and bees
“The Stratford site was an industrial wasteland before the London Olympics. But surprisingly a variety of bees, birds and lichens made it their home now.”
"I have been really surprised at the biodiversity that's been achieved here in such a short time – especially considering how polluted a lot of the ground here was before the London 2012 Games." #rewilding #conservationoptimismhttps://t.co/3wDYI3cFAH
— Citizen Zoo (@CitizenZoo) June 16, 2025
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