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. This map may make you feel better about the state of the planet

” Last summer, Thomas Crowther, an ecologist at ETH Zurich, launched Restor, a mapping tool that shows where in the world people are doing this sort of restoring or conserving of ecosystems. “

2. Latest survey demonstrates population boom for the Griffon Vulture in Sardinia, Italy

 “The survey started with data collected as part of the preceding project, LIFE Under Griffon Wings, which, over five years, grew Italy’s only indigenous Griffon Vulture population, located in North-West Sardinia. The population increased in all its parameters: from 27 Griffon Vulture breeding pairs and 20 young fledged in 2015 to 51 breeding pairs and 37 young fledged in 2020.”

3. Seeing 1,000 glorious fin whales back from near extinction is a rare glimmer of hope

” One thousand fin whales, one of the world’s biggest animals, were seen last week swimming in the same seas in which they were driven to near-extinction last century due to whaling. ”

4. ‘I feel I’ve made a mark’: the man who built homes for 60,000 swifts

“Stimpson has one achievement in particular to mark: he has just completed his goal of building 30,000 swift boxes, which could house half of the UK’s breeding population of 60,000 pairs. “

5. Giant pristine coral reef discovered off Tahiti

” Marine explorers have discovered a “pristine” 3km (2-mile) coral reef at depths of 30m (100ft) off the coast of Tahiti, French Polynesia. It is one of the largest discovered at that depth, says the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which led the mission. “

6. Four conservation stories from 2021 to make you smile

” These include stories from around the world, including traditional knowledge in the Cook Islands, Orangutans in Indonesia and more “

7. Bangladesh has a new Marine Protected Area!

“Government moves to protect waters around Saint Martin’s Island, home to Bangladesh’s only coral reef and threatened Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and whale sharks. The new MPA covers 1,743 square kilometers (672 square miles) and brings Bangladesh one step closer to the goal of protecting 10 percent of its marine waters in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity and Sustainable Development Goals”

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