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. New data to help scientists protect smooth hammerhead sharks from extinction

New migration data produced by tagging hammerhead sharks in the Atlantic should help scientists to protect at least one of the 10 hammerhead species at risk of extinction.

2. Global Strategy for Plant Conservation highlights some reasons for plant optimism

“GSPC report highlights the considerable achievements of communities working together to address the challenges of safeguarding the world’s plant species and their habitats.”

3. Colombia’s yellow-eared parrot back from extinction after two decades of conservation

“Among the species that have recovered is the Yellow-eared Parrot after ProAves Foundation managed for two decades to boost its population from 81 to 2,600.”

4. The populations of 4 of the 5 species of rhinos saw significant growth in the past decade

Between 2007 and 2019, the populations of 4 of the 5 living species of rhinos saw significant growth showing that collective enforcement and conservation efforts are paying off.

5. Madagascan farmer developed a complex technique to propagate Rosewood trees

“Edmond is working on a rosewood conservation project coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Its aim is to safeguard a group of trees that is the world’s most trafficked wild product by value and volume.”

6. A floral mural in Warsaw is using a new type of paint which, when introduced to light, turns air pollutants to nitrates that do not harm the environment.

Converse City Forests‘s new piece is said to have the smog-eating ability of 780 trees and is conveniently located near a high polluting metro station.

7. Swift foxes returned to a historic part of their range on Native-owned lands in Montana

“After an absence of more than 50 years, the swift fox has returned to the grasslands of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Montana.”

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