Farmers in the Luangwa Valley in Zambia grow vegetables with a rural development model linking agriculture and local markets to natural resource management. WCS's COMACO business model rewards farmers with increased commodity prices for adopting improved land management and farming practices that can sustain higher food crop yields while reducing potential conflicts with natural resources.

NEW YORK (November 7, 2012)—The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) is currently soliciting applications for 2013 Conservation Awards, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society and other CLP partners. The application deadline is November 9th, 2012; awards will be announced in April 2013. CLP invites applications from early-career conservationists living and working in Africa, Asia, East/South-East Europe, the Middle East, the Pacifi...

Under the support of the Conservation Leadership Programme, Chinese researcher Wang Jie conducted a learning exchange at Purdue University where he learned techniques which help him conserve the endangered Chinese giant salamander- the largest amphibian species in the world.

Nov. 3, 2012 CONTACT: MARY DIXON, mdixon@wcs.org, 347-840-1242 (texts and emails are best) The following statement was issued by Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President of Zoos and Aquarium, Bronx Zoo Director: Last evening, we restored power and life support systems to the last remaining exhibits at the New York Aquarium. Assuming we can maintain this generator power, we have no immediate plans to relocate any animals. Since power went down during the storm and the ocea...

A statement issued by Jim Breheny, Executive Vice President of WCS Zoos and Aquarium and Director of the Bronx Zoo.

Nov. 2, 2012CONTACT: MARY DIXON, mdixon@wcs.org, 347-840-1242 (texts and emails are best) From Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President of Zoos and Aquarium, Director of the Bronx Zoo:We have restored power to three-quarters of the exhbits and holding quarters at the aquarium. Work progresses in restoring power to the last large exhibit building at WCS’s New York Aquarium, Explore the Shore. Progress to restore this power is slower than we anticipated due to the adverse conditions and extensive...

Nov. 1, 2012CONTACT: MARY DIXON, 347-840-1242, mdixon@wcs.org A statement issued by Jim Breheny, Executive Vice President of WCS Zoos and Aquarium and Director of the Bronx Zoo: Using generator power, we are making progress restoring life support systems to our aquatic exhibits throughout the WCS New York Aquarium. We have restored power to two of our main exhibit buildings -- Glover's Reef and Conservation Hall. However, we still have areas that we have not been able to fully assess as to when...

Here is an update on WCS's four zoos and aquarium following Hurricane Sandy: The Bronx Zoo is reopening Saturday, Nov. 3. The aquarium is closed due to storm and we'll keep you posted on reopening. The Queens Zoo is reopening Friday, Nov. 2. Central Park Zoo is reopening Friday, Nov. 2. Prospect Park Zoo reopened Thursday, Nov. 1.