Join IUCN ECARO as Ecosystem Management Project Officer, to support the implementation of the Nature-based solutions Programme in the region and the enviroLENS project as well as to develop activities under the Bonn Challenge and ECCA30 initiative. Apply by 5 April 2020. Vacancy announcement 

IUCN ECARO is seeking to contract Nature-based solutions field experts in Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia. Are you an expert in environmental sciences, experienced with working with government agencies, local authorities and the civil sector? Have you implemented disaster risk reduction interventions? If yes, consider applying for a consultancy position with ADAPT by 5 April 2020. Announcement

Cold Winter Deserts in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are among six globally significant biodiversity sites in Central Asia that could potentially qualify for World Heritage status, according to a new report launched by IUCN, the official advisor on natural World Heritage. Read more

Wetlands provide habitats and breeding grounds for countless plant and animal species, but we’re losing these critical ecosystems at an alarming rate. Ambitious policy and on-the-ground action is needed to conserve wetlands and save their unique wildlife, argue members of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Freshwater Conservation Committee. Read more

As we mark World Wetlands Day under a biodiversity theme, we must all recognise that 2020 provides us with a unique opportunity to make an ambitious global commitment to protect and restore our wetlands and the biodiversity that both depends on and underpins them. Read more

In February, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP13) adopted a decision for the CMS Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI). CAMI’s Programme of Work for the period 2021-2026 was approved, incorporating IUCN Save Our Species’ Central Asia initiative as a possible funding mechanism for the conservation of key threatened migratory species and their habitats. Read more

The Egyptian vulture is the last of the four species of European vultures that still breeds in Albania, with less than 10 occupied territories. Learn about the efforts that PPNEA, an IUCN Member, has been investing in the conservation of this species for more than 8 years. Read more

The depletion of fish stocks, incidental bycatch in fishing nets, invasion of alien species, epizootics and the pollution of the sea are treatening the three species of cetaceans that occur in the Black Sea. To combat these threats, the researchers suggest to establish the ban on the use of three-wall trammel nets and promote the fishing of non-native species as well as development of testing acoustic deterrents on fishing gears and establishment of new marine protected areas. Read more

Europe’s forests are critical for biodiversity protection and for mitigating and adapting to climate change, while being under increasing pressure from the growing bioeconomy. But how can the many demands on forests be managed while keeping sight of these priorities? What is the role of the European Green Deal? Read more

The document describes the initial actions for the upcoming 3 years. It defines federal executive, legal and regulatory measures, as well as the order of the development of sectoral and regional plans, informative and scientific components. “This document is essential and very well-timed", comments Aleksey Kokorin, the Head of Climate and Energy program of WWF Russia. Read more

Bringing together expertise (practitioners, politicians and other stakeholders) from forestry, agriculture and water management and economics around pilot areas to improve the effectiveness of forest ecosystem services for water and monetization of ecosystem services, a project by CNVP and the Research Institute for Forest Ecology and Forestry (FAWF), financed by Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU). Read more

With growing global concern over the biodiversity and climate crises, the importance of nature-based solutions has been widely recognised from the United Nations and national governments to the private sector and civil society.The first-ever Standard for Nature-based solutions has been developed by IUCN, to be launched at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. Read more

UNEP and IUCN are jointly launching the Global Fund for Ecosystem-based Adaptation [2020-2024], which aims to provide targeted and rapid support mechanisms through seed capital for innovative approaches to ecosystem-based adaptation. The Federal Environment Ministry of Germany (BMU) announced its support at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 25) in Madrid. Read more

Informal meeting of the IUCN Russian National Committee took place in February 2020. The IUCN Secretariat is looking forward to strengthen cooperation with its Members and commissions in Russia to enhance existing and identify new cooperation opportunities. Read more (in Russian)

Anna is a leader in environmental education in the system of federal protected areas of Russia. As a senior scientist of Kronotsky Zapovednik she works with the projects that introduce children to nature, organises environmental camps and delivers encouraging courses at the Kronotsky Nature Reserve Visitor Center and in the villages of the indigenous people of Kamchatka. Read more

This Scholarship is a great opportunity for young professionals who have chosen to develop a career in our natural and cultural heritage. Each scholarship is worth €3.000 and enables successful applicants to undertake a study visit on a particular theme to one or more Protected Areas in European countries. The call is open to all young professionals working in topics related to Protected Areas in Europe and closes on 3 May 2020. Read more

The degradation of nature can lead to gender-based violence including sexual assault, domestic violence and forced prostitution, according to a new IUCN study. Competition over increasingly scarce and degraded resources can exacerbate these forms of violence, the study finds. Read more

Privately protected areas (PPAs) are an important and growing part of the conservation landscape worldwide and have enormous potential to contribute to global biodiversity and protected area goals. This Summary Report summarizes the legal, policy, and institutional mechanisms used in 30 countries, including Kazakhstan, to establish and incentivize PPAs.

Read more

Issue #5 available here

Earth Day (themed Climate action)

International Day for Biological Diversity

European Day of Parks

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