Global Conservation's Top 4 News Articles from 2023
Note from the Editor,
It's been a noteworthy year for GC. We've expanded our operations into more parks than ever to protect wildlife, are leading new initiatives at conservation-oriented Summits around the world, and are targeting new goals to make 30x30 a reality. There's no time to rest. We're entering 2024 with excitement in our hearts and fire under our feet.
Protecting wildlife and wildlands has never been more important. That might sound like a cliche, but as nature is torn apart literally every single day to make way for human expansions' greeds or needs, it's important to remember that humans rely directly on nature to survive. And all ecosystems are maintained by all wild animals, which means that saving them is actually saving ourselves, not to mention also saving the beauty of this colorful, fragile Earth.
We've been able to share the stories of our work with global news outlets, so in celebration of our work from the past year, we now get to share our Top 4 News Articles of the Year with you in 2024!
We wish you a happy and prosperous year!
Joshua Asel
Elephants in Cardamom Mountains National Park, Cambodia (right). Photo by Paul Hilton.
Targeting 3% of protected areas could accelerate progress on 30×30 goals, says Global Conservation’s Jeff Morgan
"To help protect these vulnerable National Parks and Indigenous Territories in developing countries, non-profit organization Global Conservation works with national park authorities and indigenous leaders to deploy Global Park Defense and Community Protection, providing rangers and local community patrols with the systems, equipment and training they need to combat increasing threats from illegal loggers and wildlife poachers."
As Ecotourism Booms, Conservation Leader Says Global National Parks Need More Protection Now
"In December, world leaders adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, targeting the conservation of 30% of Earth by 2030.
However, Jeff Morgan, founder of Global Conservation, points out that simply designating protected areas is not enough to safeguard nature. His organization, therefore, focuses on strengthening protection within UNESCO World Heritage Sites in lower and middle-income countries, utilizing cost-effective technologies for law enforcement against poaching, illegal logging, and more."
‘A war on nature’: rangers build mountain out of wildlife traps found in Ugandan park
"The pile, nicknamed 'snare mountain', was collected over 12 months as part of continuing conservation efforts at Uganda’s Murchison Falls national park. At the bottom are so-called bear traps, used by poachers to catch elephants, hippos and lions. At the top are wire snares used for smaller animals."
Defending National Parks Globally
"Ecocide" in Venezuela's national parks, elephant and rhino poaching in African parks, wildlife trafficking in Vietnam's parks, and illegal gold mining in Belize's parks are just some of the blights on the global collection of national parks and protected areas. It's an ugly list of threats to biodiversity that keeps Global Conservation busy.
The eight-year-old nonprofit organization funds efforts to stop illegal wildlife killing and logging in parks and marine protected areas worldwide, and is already seeing results, including no elephant killings three years in a row in Mana Pools World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe, said Jeff Morgan, executive director.
