Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium provide jobs, tax revenue, and pump millions of dollars into the local economyNEW YORK (May 28, 2009) – John Calvelli, Executive Vice President for Public Affairs of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), testified today before the New York City Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs about the tremendous economic importance of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium to the City, and the other NYC cultu...

“I must also say that we must not be short-sighted in cutting resources to those institutions and organizations that contribute to our economic vitality and may well be part of the solution in restoring prosperity.” Frank J. Franz, Belmont Business Improvement District NEW YORK (May 27, 2009)—The following testimony was given by Frank J. Franz, Chairman of the Belmont Business Improvement District, to the New York City Council in support of the full restoration of funds for New York City’s 34 cu...

WCS applauds the inclusion of forestry provisions in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which paves the way to comprehensive climate change policy.

WCS finds Vietnam’s commercial wildlife farms are hurting, not helping wildlife. A new report says the farms are a detriment to conservation efforts and enforcement.

Landmark Legislation Paves Way to Comprehensive Climate Change Policy NEW YORK (MAY 21, 2009) - The Wildlife Conservation Society applauds U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for including provisions on forestry preservation in the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The provisions call for action to avoid the burning or cutting down of the world’s forests. Deforestation results in one-fifth of total greenhouse...

New report says farms are a detriment to conservation efforts & enforcement NEW YORK (May 21, 2009)—Commercial wildlife farms in Southeast Asia—where rare snakes, turtles, crocodiles, monkeys, and other species are bred and raised in captivity for the purpose of producing meat and wildlife products—do not alleviate the exploitation of populations in the wild. In fact, wildlife farms make the problem worse, according to a recent joint study by the Wildlife Conservation Society and Vi...

It’s Not Only Fish That Need Coral Reefs WASHINGTON (MAY 20, 2009) The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) held a Congressional policy briefing today on Capitol Hill highlighting the need for better policies to protect the world’s coral reefs in the face of climate change. Featured speakers included WCS President and CEO Dr. Steven E. Sanderson, WCS Director of Marine Conservation Dr. Caleb McClennen, and WCS Senior Conservation Zoologist Dr. Tim McClanahan. Honorary hosts at the brief...

Scientists discover the world’s largest nesting population of leatherback sea turtles on the beaches of Gabon. The finding offers new hope for the future of this endangered species.

Wildlife Conservation Society applauds the launching of Coral Triangle Initiative at CTI Summit in Manado, Indonesia NEW YORK (MAY 15, 2009) On May 15, 2009, the Heads of State of Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Malaysia, signed a “leaders declaration” to officially launch the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF). As part of this historic initiative, the six countries pledge “accelerated and colla...

Bronx, NY – May 14, 2009 -- The Wildlife Conservation Society today released economic impact numbers showing that it generates about $414.6 million in economic activity in New York City annually, creating jobs, purchasing goods and pumping money into the cash registers of local businesses, many in underserved areas.A break down of the $414.6* million economic impact on NYC by WCS looks like this:$285,800,000, due to operational expenditures$76,200,000, due to capital expenditures$52,560,000, due...