When it comes to keeping track of the well-being of species, there are two resources you can look at. You check to see how they’re listed under the Endangered Species Act or look at the IUCN Red List. You’re already familiar with the ESA, but what about the IUCN?
The IUCN is the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It’s a democratic union that is made up of memberships of governmental and non-governmental organizations. It consists of over 1,400 organizations, 17,000 experts, and has projects going in over 160 countries.1
The IUCN is the oldest global environmental organization in the world. They meet every four years at their World Conservation Congress, where they elect their council and decide the goals they focus on.2
Their work usually includes:
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Scientific research
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Putting conservation legislation in place
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Managing projects in the field
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Publishing books, reports, and more2
They also manage their Red List of Threatened Species, which was created in 1964.3This list evaluates the risk of extinction of both plants and animals throughout the world. They use it as a way to share information that can influence policy and conservation action. There are more than 134,000 species on the list, and over 37,000 of those are at risk for extinction.3 Their goal is to both save species and maintain the biodiversity of our environment. Their list helps inform where people should put their focus for their environmental efforts.3
At the Wolf Center, our efforts are focused on providing the public with the facts about our wildlife. The first step in taking action is having the proper knowledge to make informed decisions.
You help us do that. Your donation helps us:
- Bring resources to students
- Expand our reach across the country
- Get the word out about our carnivores
None of this work is done without you.
If you haven’t already done so, please consider donating to the Wolf Center by clicking here or at the button below. It ensures we can continue our work and bring you the resources you love.
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