Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
23704 results for "protected areas"
Ghana just declared its first Marine Protected Area, marking a breakthrough in ocean conservation while fighting illegal fishing and protecting food sources for millions. The announcement on World Oceans Day 2026 signals real action on sustainable fishing.
French Polynesia just protected 540,000 square miles of ocean, reaching the global 30% conservation goal while keeping local fishing traditions alive. The island nation combined large-scale protection with community-led stewardship to create a model for the world.
Ghana just launched its first community-led Marine Protected Area, proving that when fishing communities lead conservation, everyone wins. The initiative protects critical ocean habitats while strengthening food security and local livelihoods.
Ghana just declared its first ever marine protected area, protecting 703 square kilometers of ocean that's critical for fish populations. After 15 years of work, this historic move could save the country's collapsing fishery and protect food security for millions.
The Karajarri people just established Australia's first Indigenous Protected Area that includes marine ecosystems, protecting nearly 587,000 acres of ocean and coastline they've cared for across generations. It's a historic recognition that healthy land, healthy sea, and healthy people are inseparable.
California's Bay Area is building a new kind of flood protection that looks more like a nature preserve than a wall. These "horizontal levees" spread gently across the landscape, filtering pollution while creating homes for endangered species.
French Polynesia just expanded its ocean protections to cover an area larger than Alaska, banning seabed mining and industrial fishing across 30% of its waters. The move protects critical breeding grounds for endangered species and showcases what island nations can accomplish.
Mexico just announced an ambitious plan to restore 32 protected natural areas by planting 300 million trees this year, putting rural farmers at the heart of conservation. The initiative combines ecosystem healing with economic support for some of the country's poorest communities.
Four Pacific island nations just announced plans to create one of the world's largest connected ocean reserves, protecting some of the planet's most biodiverse coral reef ecosystems. Papua New Guinea has already committed to protecting an area the size of Great Britain as a no-fishing zone.
Australia's little-known Indigenous Protected Areas now cover an area the size of Colombia, and they're inspiring First Nations conservation worldwide. What started with one man's childhood dream has become a global model for protecting nature.
After a mining company destroyed ancestral burial grounds, traditional owners fought for four years and won historic protection for their sacred land. The Darrajayin area is now Western Australia's first new Aboriginal heritage protected area in three decades.
A groundbreaking international treaty now safeguards migratory sharks and rays as they travel across the high seas, closing a dangerous protection gap. The agreement creates a pathway to establish marine protected areas in international waters where two-thirds of the ocean previously lacked comprehensive protection.
Local communities and Indigenous groups in Bolivia just protected nearly a million hectares of rainforest by working with their towns instead of waiting for national action. The four new protected areas create wildlife corridors while protecting water sources and forests that local families depend on for their livelihoods.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F5e%2F3f%2F5e3f4d30-35db-47c9-a978-48bc30db8600%2Fffgkf3.jpg)
Researchers discovered that two-thirds of West Africa's best surfing spots sit next to areas rich with marine life, creating a perfect opportunity to protect both waves and wildlife. By turning surf breaks into protected zones, communities could safeguard coral reefs, mangroves, and endangered species while keeping beaches pristine.
Fishing communities in the Mediterranean are witnessing something remarkable: properly protected marine areas are helping fish stocks bounce back and supporting bigger catches. A new summit in March 2026 will share these success stories and prove that ocean conservation works for everyone.
Bloomberg Philanthropies is investing a quarter billion dollars to turn ocean protection promises into reality. The funding will help small island nations enforce conservation plans and monitor vast marine areas using cutting-edge technology.
Hong Kong's planned 63-hectare marine park around Sharp Island will safeguard the majority of the area's precious coral reefs. Advanced underwater mapping technology helped authorities identify and protect the most ecologically sensitive zones.
A new global atlas pinpoints 816 ocean areas that could save struggling shark and ray populations, covering less than 3% of the ocean. The map gives governments a clear roadmap to protect species that have declined over 70% since 1970.
Generous landowners across the US and Australia are donating millions of acres to conservation, creating protected wilderness areas larger than America's national park system. Private citizens are leaving a legacy by ensuring threatened ecosystems survive for generations.
Greenland is working with communities to preserve pristine fjords for local wildlife, fishing, and recreation while still welcoming responsible tourism. The Arctic destination is developing new guidelines that balance protecting natural areas with making them accessible to visitors.
Showing 20 of 23704