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

1. Nairobi National Park in Kenya has more than doubled in size

“Nairobi National Park’s size has been increased by more than double to 78k acres from the initial 29k acres, Tourism CS Najib Balala has said.”

2. In Guatemala, refugees find new calling as park rangers

“FUNDAECO, a local conservation NGO, has partnered with UNHCR and other groups to find jobs for some refugees working as park guards in Guatemalan biodiversity hotspots.”

3. Oxfordshire village builds a hedgehog highway to help the species travel safely

“With their miniature ramps, stairs and holes cut into fences and stone walls, the gardens of Kirtlington in Oxfordshire are a haven for wildlife.”

4. There are reasons to be hopeful for the state of freshwater ecosystems and species

“Synchronicity Earth has been supporting freshwater conservation almost since its inception, and has witnessed extraordinary organisations making unprecedented successes.”

5.  Forests that originally belonged to Indigenous Peoples across the Ecuadorian Amazon are being restored by organisation COICA Amazonia

“More than 200 Indigenous leaders and community members planted more than 1,800 trees at the headquarters of the Federation of the Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE).”

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Indigenous Peoples are the the guardians of some of the healthiest forests in the world, teeming with wildlife and sequestering carbon. @coica_amazonia_oficial is restoring forests that originally belonged to Indigenous Peoples across the Ecuadorian Amazon and have been returned to them after being destroyed by oil palm plantations and mining. The restoration project officially started in September, and involved Indigenous leaders from every part of the Ecuadorian Amazon. It launched with a ceremony called a “guayusada.” The ceremony, which started before the sun came up, included communal boiling and drinking of a medicinal tea called “guayusa.” The guayusada was followed by a “minga.” During the minga, the entire community joins together to build something or complete a job that has community-wide benefit. More than 200 Indigenous leaders and community members planted more than 1,800 trees at the headquarters of the Federation of the Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE). But the restoration won’t stop there. Over the next year, Indigenous Peoples all over the Ecuadorian Amazon will continue the project and restore areas of forests within their own territories. "When we plant a tree, we are creating life for the planet," says Tuntiak Katan, vice coordinator of COICA. #IndigenousPeoplesDay

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6. Scientists still have hope that the world’s coral reefs can be saved

“From coral farming to 3D printing, scientists are using novel methods to save a vital part of our ecosystem.”

7. A private nature reserve in the Australian state of New South Wales has been expanded to conserve additional woodland habitat

“Bush Heritage’s purchase of a parcel of land adjacent to its Tarcutta Hills Reserve will extend the protection of habitat for swift parrots and other woodland species.”

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