IUCN Save Our Species supports science-based conservation action to address the main threats to biodiversity and save species from extinction. As part of IUCN, we work with experts across the Union, including the IUCN Species Survival Commission, to design conservation initiatives.

We focus our efforts where they will have the biggest impacts by funding frontline conservation organisations with unique knowledge of the region and local biodiversity.

Our projects prioritise species most in need, in particular those that have been assessed as Vulnerable, Endangered and Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™.

We never look at species in isolation. All of our projects follow a three-pillar approach to provide positive outcomes for threatened species, their habitats, and people.

• Species: We create the conditions necessary for species populations to increase, thrive, and naturally recolonise their habitats.

• Habitat: We aim to improve the management of protected and conserved areas, restore degraded ecosystems and enhance connectivity of critical species habitats. 

• People: We reduce unsustainable dependency on natural resources by investigating options for alternative livelihoods and supporting communities with relevant capacity-building initiatives that promote sustainable practices and foster improved coexistence with wildlife.

We build capacity and learning

We provide trainings and technical support to help partners maximise their impacts. IUCN also provides a platform for frontline conservation actors to exchange knowledge, lessons learned, and best practices.

We raise awareness and influence policy

We share knowledge and stories from our projects to evidence that conservation works, inspire more enabling policy and scale conservation action globally.

How we work

IUCN enables biodiversity conservation through four essential steps: the Species Conservation Cycle.

• Assess: Developing species assessments in collaboration with the IUCN Species Survival Commission for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, assessing the conservation status of species, their distribution, population size and trend, and the main threats to their survival.

• Plan: Developing national and regional species conservation plans and strategies for the recovery of threatened species.

• Act: Implementing action on the ground to address threats and protect threatened species.

• Communicate: Sharing information to raise awareness and scale up conservation action.

IUCN Save Our Species is IUCN’s main contribution towards the ‘Act’ and ‘Communicate’ Components. 

Current initiatives

IUCN Save Our Species’ current portfolio is made up of almost 60 projects from all over the world. They are integrated into region-focused or species-focused initiatives.

Region-focused

Species-focused