The Nature Conservancy

Protecting our planet isn't just an environmental issue—it's also a health issue. As Bill Frist emphasizes in Forbes, our personal health is deeply intertwined with the health of our planet. Let's prioritize conservation efforts to safeguard both.

Did you know trees can actually save lives? A new study found that neighborhoods that are predominantly people of color, suffer from over 190 deaths and 30,000 more doctors visits due to heat related emergencies. This study directly links tree canopy to public health, showing how maximizing urban tree benefits could cut power demand 1.4 terawatt hours (TWh) per year – equivalent to the typical annual power consumption of ~150,000 U.S. homes. Let’s prioritize reforestation for healthier, more equitable communities. Read more on this fascinating study below.

Home to three-quarters of the world’s coral species, Indonesia’s Bird’s Head Seascape is known as “the global jewel of marine biodiversity.” This unique seascape is also the lifeblood of many local communities that are highly dependent on marine resources for income and food. That’s why TNC and our local partner Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara are working closely with the Government of Indonesia to establish a network of marine protected areas – and with local communities to ensure their traditions, like the annual “sasi” harvest of lobster and sea cucumbers, have a place in the seascape’s plans. Learn more about our work in the Bird’s Head Seascape made possible by the support of collaborators like the Blue Action Fund: https://nature.ly/3UDwW3V Learn more about the “sasi” tradition of the Matbat tribe in Aduwei Village: https://nature.ly/3xZ08tm 📸 © Della Yulia/YKAN

Ready to make waves in marine conservation? Join us for an immersive remote externship experience where you'll explore local and global issues, connect with experts and propose solutions to protect our oceans. You’ll research and explore a marine conservation issue and how communities come together to sustainably resolve it. Ages 18-25 are encouraged to apply by May 6th for the National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy Marine & Community Conservation Externship. https://nature.ly/3Uc4F32 #MarineConservation #Externship #careeropportunity

Embarking on the journey of climate adaptation is a collective endeavor. One that calls for unity, learning and action. In a collaborative effort, The Nature Conservancy in Washington and Stacy Nguyen created ‘Climate Shorts’ to inspire shared solutions that will protect our planet for future generations. 🌎

It was a great week for climate and communities with federal agencies announcing new regulations and programs that will slash greenhouse gas emissions, speed up clean energy development and reduce hazardous pollution. These steps will help ensure we have a stable climate and clean air and water. Here are just a few of the highlights: First up, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced a new rule for power plant emissions that will help the U.S. meet its goal of 100% clean power by 2035. This will give energy utilities and regulators the certainty they need to plan for and invest in our clean energy future. For us to achieve a clean energy future we need to build a lot more transmission to carry that clean energy to homes and businesses. Currently, that process takes a long time but with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s new transmission program and rules the average time for siting and permitting of new transmission could be cut in half! The EPA made two new announcements that they’re strengthening standards for the toxic waste, heavy metals and mercury emissions from coal power plants. This will provide cleaner air and water for our communities. In another win for communities, EPA announced $7 billion in Solar for All grants that will deliver residential solar power to over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Expanding access to the benefits of clean energy is good for these communities and for us all.

Along with our partners at National Geographic, we’re helping to equip young changemakers with leadership opportunities and keep the momentum going as they continue to advocate for nature and the planet. Learn more here: https://nature.ly/3UBiiua

Live from the Lek is back! Tune in now through early May for a live feed of lesser prairie chickens in action at Smoky Valley Ranch. Males are active on mating grounds called leks for a few hours beginning shortly before sunrise and females can usually be observed at the edges. Many times, they return to the leks at sundown. Tune in any time and scroll back to the previous morning or afternoon. Watch live: https://nature.ly/3Uj1UwO

Calling all nature lovers! 📸🦋🌼 Join TNC and partners as we take on the City Nature Challenge from April 26–29. How do you participate? Head outside! Explore local parks, gardens, and green spaces, sign up for a bioblitz, or visit a TNC nature preserve—you can even participate from your own backyard. Then, download the iNaturalist app to snap photos of the plants, animals, insects, and other organisms you see and upload these observations to your city’s iNaturalist project. Together, we’ll contribute to global wildlife research and celebrate the wonders of nature around the world. Find an event or project near you: https://nature.ly/49Lp84s

We applaud the White House’s launch of the new America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge, which aims to reconnect, restore and protect 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers and streams by 2030. The Nature Conservancy is committed to supporting the United States as it works to turn this important commitment into action. Commenting on the launch, The Nature Conservancy CEO Jennifer Morris said: “It’s past time that we stand up for our nation’s rivers, lakes and wetlands. For far too long, we have taken these systems, and the waters they carry, for granted. We can and must do better." “Doing more requires that we work together—NGOs, companies, Federal and State agencies, Tribal nations and local communities—to protect and restore these systems. This is what America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge is all about." Read the full statement here: https://nature.ly/3Wbs338 📸: Kevin Russell/TNC Photo Contest 2016