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. Switzerland Set to Roll Out Solar Panels Between Railway Tracks–A World First

” With the Swiss national railway network stretching beyond 2,000 miles of track, estimates place the amount of power generation at potentially beyond 1 terawatt hour or 2% of the entire gross annual consumption.”

2. First Lion Spotted in Chad National Park in 20 Years Is ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Healthy’

” A trail camera snapped a photograph of the lounging big cat, giving wildlife officials renewed hope about the species’ recovery in West and Central Africa “

3. Community conservation benefits Sulawesi flying foxes, but more is needed, experts say

“After four years of conservation action, the number of flying foxes — large bat species — flocking to the Indonesian island of Mantawalu Daka has grown from around 8,000 to 40,000, according to PROGRES Sulawesi, an Indonesian NGO. Conservationists have worked with community members to change negative perceptions of bats and limit hunting on the island. Protecting bats can improve forest health, and since their return in greater numbers, local fishers report fish are easier to come by around the island.”

4. Funders commit $102.5 million to support tribal-led conservation efforts in the U.S.

” Fifteen funders have already committed $102.5 million to support the Tribal Nations Conservation Pledge goals since its launch in March. Projects to benefit will be selected by funders and could include natural resource and conservation projects, regrants and tribal-led conservation NGOs working in direct partnership with tribes, among several others. ”

5. The Mediterranean Monk Seal Is Making a Comeback

” n recent years, Mediterranean monk seals have rebounded sufficiently for the International Union for Conservation of Nature to bump up their status from “critically endangered” to “endangered.” They’re returning to places like Croatia and Albania, where they’d long been absent.”

6. Dam fine work: record number of barrier removals helps restore rivers across Europe

” A record number of river barriers, including dams and weirs, were removed across Europe in 2022, with at least 325 taken down in 16 countries, allowing rivers to flow freely and migratory fish to reach breeding areas.”

7. The 2023 Whitley Award winners were announced this week

” The 30th edition of the ‘Green Oscars’ was held at the Royal Geographical Society in London this week, celebrating seven grassroots conservationists identified after a worldwide search for locally led solutions to the global biodiversity and climate crises ”

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