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What is IUCN?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists itself as the oldest global environmental organization. Since its inception in the 1940s, IUCN has led the world in environmental research and conservation efforts. Today, the organization has over 1000 affiliate groups, and maintains offices and field sites in 140 countries worldwide.

In 1948, the director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) founded the group to give global environmental issues a central scientific base. The goal of the organization includes helping local communities understand the crises in their own ecosystems, to encourage conservation on the closest level. They try to maintain the balance between necessary development and the preservation of the natural world.

The IUCN has led the world in environmental research and conservation efforts.
The IUCN has led the world in environmental research and conservation efforts.

The organization ran into financial difficulty early on, before the spread of conservationist ideals took hold in world policy. Early members set up the World Wildlife Fund to act as a fundraiser and public relations firm for the work done through the International Union. After a grant from the Ford Foundation in the late 1960s, the organization was able to expand its international operations considerably, and has flourished ever since.

The classification of an animal or plant as threatened or endangered can help boost conservation efforts and save species before it is too late.
The classification of an animal or plant as threatened or endangered can help boost conservation efforts and save species before it is too late.

Since 1963, one of the key jobs of IUCN has been the maintenance of the organization’s red list, a compilation of every species alive on earth. Although early years involved some shaky science, today the list is managed under rigorous scientific standards, a peer review and petition systems. The most important feature of the red list is the tracking of conservation status of all species on the planet. The classification of an animal or plant as threatened or endangered can help boost conservation efforts and save species before it is too late.

IUCN operates six international commissions that oversee various projects and efforts of the organization. The Species Survival Commission (SSC) uses dozens of affiliated groups to closely monitor each species of animal by taxonomic classification. The World Commission on Protected Areas keeps tabs on the upkeep and creation of protected reserves for endangered species. The Commissions on Education and Communication, Environmental, Social and Economic Policy, and Environmental Law all work in advisory capacities with governments, lending a conservationist perspective to policy and education decisions. Finally, the Commission on Ecosystem management works with local communities to promote the idea that saving species is important for everyone.

Critics of IUCN come from both sides of the conservationist debate. Some claim that the group, despite its assertions otherwise, puts animal needs above those of humans, to the detriment of commercial expansion. Extreme environmental groups argue the opposite, that the organization is overly concerned with the greedy needs of industry and risks further ecosystem damage by pandering to politicians. Such criticism is to be expected with an organization that conscientiously tries to maintain a middle ground on a controversial subject. The usefulness of the scientific observation and data that IUCN produces is hardly debatable, and the red list is considered possibly the most valuable tool available in assessing the current condition of species.

If you would like to aid IUCN in its work to preserve and protect the plant and animal species of the world, there are many opportunities to help. The organization maintains offices in large cities worldwide, and frequently have job openings and internships available for those wishing to join. Check the organization’s website, www.iucn.com, for a list of affiliated environmental groups that are always in need of donations, volunteers and workers. Scientific studies have repeatedly show that ecosystems perform best when there is flourishing biodiversity to balance them; by aiding conservation efforts, you may play a very real part in saving not only animals but humans from eventual extinction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IUCN and what does it stand for?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. Founded in 1948, it's the world's oldest and largest environmental network, bringing together governments, NGOs, scientists, and local communities to tackle environmental challenges. The IUCN is renowned for its Red List of Threatened Species, a critical indicator of the health of the world's biodiversity.

What is the IUCN Red List and why is it important?

The IUCN Red List is a comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. It plays a vital role in guiding conservation activities by providing information on species' population trends, distribution, and threats. According to the IUCN, the Red List has assessed over 134,000 species, revealing that more than 37,000 are threatened with extinction, highlighting the urgency for conservation efforts.

How does the IUCN classify species' risk of extinction?

The IUCN classifies species' risk of extinction using a set of criteria that evaluate factors like population size, rate of decline, and geographic range. Categories range from 'Least Concern' to 'Extinct', with key classifications including 'Vulnerable', 'Endangered', and 'Critically Endangered'. This system helps prioritize conservation actions for those species most at risk.

Who are the members of the IUCN and what role do they play?

The IUCN's membership is diverse, encompassing over 1,400 member organizations, including states, government agencies, and a variety of non-governmental organizations. Members contribute to the IUCN's mission by participating in its governance, shaping conservation policies, and implementing programs. They also collaborate in the IUCN's six Commissions, which are networks of expert volunteers in fields like species survival and environmental law.

How does the IUCN influence global conservation efforts?

The IUCN influences global conservation through its scientific assessments, policy recommendations, and field projects. It works closely with international bodies, such as the United Nations, to inform environmental treaties and conventions. The IUCN's guidelines and strategies, such as those for protected area management, serve as global standards that shape conservation practices worldwide.

Can individuals contribute to the IUCN's work, and if so, how?

Individuals can contribute to the IUCN's work in several ways. They can support IUCN member organizations, participate in citizen science projects, or donate to conservation initiatives. Professionals can also join one of the IUCN's Commissions as expert volunteers, contributing their knowledge to critical conservation efforts and helping to drive positive environmental change.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a AllThingsNature writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a AllThingsNature writer.

Learn more...

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    • The IUCN has led the world in environmental research and conservation efforts.
      By: HappyAlex
      The IUCN has led the world in environmental research and conservation efforts.
    • The classification of an animal or plant as threatened or endangered can help boost conservation efforts and save species before it is too late.
      By: JohanSwanepoel
      The classification of an animal or plant as threatened or endangered can help boost conservation efforts and save species before it is too late.