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. Endangered Mar Menor lagoon in Spain granted legal status as a person

“A law to afford it the special protection was approved by congress in July and was ratified by Spain’s senate on Wednesday – the first time such a measure had been approved in the country. The legislation codifies the lagoon’s right “to exist as an ecosystem and to evolve naturally” and recognises its right to protection, conservation and restoration.”

2. Rare image of Arabian leopard and cub captured in Oman’s nature reserve

“According to the Oman News Agency (ONA) the preliminary results of the large mammal survey project in the Jabal Samhan Reserve in the Dhofar Governorate showed that rare images of the leopard and her cub, which did not exceed a few weeks, were detected, which is a positive indicator for the survival and reproduction of this species in its natural environment.”

3. Maternity unit gives Canada’s caribou a boost

“Gauthier, a member of the Saulteau First Nation in British Columbia, is part of an Indigenous-led effort that has saved a caribou herd from destruction. The group’s success in using a carefully guarded maternity pen has become an example for Indigenous communities grappling with the catastrophic loss of biodiversity.”

4. Sea-turtle poaching is dropping sharply

“The first worldwide estimate of the number of adult sea turtles moved on the black market suggests that 1.1 million of the reptiles were illegally harvested between 1990 and 2020. But poaching is dropping sharply, and most populations worldwide are doing well. “The silver lining is that, despite the seemingly large illegal take, exploitation is not having a negative impact on sea-turtle populations on a global scale. This is really good news,” says co-author and marine conservation scientist Jesse Senko.”

5. Some good news for albatrosses on Bird Island, South Georgia

“The final wandering albatross chick census has been completed for the year and no chicks have been lost since the last count. That means 502 wandering albatross chicks have received unique ring numbers which will allow the team to identify them in the future.”

6. European Commission decides to protect 16,000 km2 of vulnerable marine ecosystems

“In the Atlantic Ocean, bottom-fishing trawlers will now have to avoid 87 areas forming an almost continuous line from the northwest of Ireland to the southwest coast of France, then along the coast of Spain and down to the tip of Portugal.”

7. Legal agreement to permanently close oil wells, restore habitat in California’s Carrizo Plain National Monument

“Conservation groups today announced a legal agreement securing the permanent closure and restoration of 11 long-dormant oil wells inside the Carrizo Plain National Monument, a unique landscape in central California famous for its vibrant springtime wildflower displays and rare wildlife.”

Have a story to share for our weekly round-up? Use #ConservationOptimism on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

Conservation Optimism
We are a global community dedicated to sharing stories and resources to empower people from all backgrounds to make a positive impact for wildlife and nature.