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. Salmons spawn in the whole length of River Elan (Wales) for first time since the 1970s

“The Wye & Usk Foundation has recorded an increase in salmon numbers in the Elan Valley – resulting in the fish spawning in all parts of the Elan for the first time since records began.”

2. World leaders pledge to halt Earth’s destruction ahead of UN summit

“France, Germany and UK among more than 60 countries promising to put wildlife and climate at heart of post-Covid recovery plans.”

3. The endangered maleo bird population is recovering on Sulawesi thanks to conservation efforts

“Since 2006, the maleos in Tompotika have been successfully protected and form the healthiest, fastest-growing population of maleo anywhere.”

4. New Zealand Green Party promises $50 million for kauri tree protection

“Co-leader Marama Davidson announced the party’s kauri protection plan on Sunday at West Auckland’s Arataki Visitors Centre, the gateway to Auckland’s biggest kauri forest at the Waitākere Ranges.”

5. A 54,689-acre reserve was declared in Vietnam

“Conservationists have hailed the establishment of the new Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong Nature Reserve as a major step for the protection of Vietnam’s wildlife. “

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Conservationists have hailed the establishment of the new Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong Nature Reserve as a major step for the protection of Vietnam’s wildlife. The new reserve is home to a number of threatened species, including two species of muntjac deer (Muntiacus vuquangensis and M. truongsonensis), the Annamite striped rabbit (Nesolagus timminsi), the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), the southern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus siki), the red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus), and the crested argus (Rheinardia ocellata), which resembles a peacock. Conservationists debate whether it may also shelter the saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), a mysterious antelope-like bovine so rare it has been called the “Asian unicorn.” Read about it on www.mongabay.com. Photo by: David Cook via Flickr (CC BY 2.0). #animals #wildlife #conservation #wildlifeconservation #vietnam #protectedareas #forests #tropicalforests #biodiversity #environment

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6. Turkey announced over 350 km of coastline as new Marine Protected Areas

“This new area represents a significant expansion of the existing marine protected area network along the country’s Mediterranean coast and firmly establishes Turkey as a leader in marine conservation in the most overfished sea on the planet.”

7. Thai villagers saved ancestral forest using activism and scientific research

“At a ceremony to celebrate the Equator Prize earlier this month, Chiang Rai province acting governor Kritpetch Petcharaburanin acknowledged the community’s efforts.”

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