NICE, FRANCE (JUNE 11, 2025) – At the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, a bold new global commitment was launched to center coastal women as leaders in marine conservation and sustainable livelihoods. The Women Ocean Guardians commitment was signed by leading governments including Costa Rica, Grenada, and the UK as well as a roster of international partners – all pledging to further gender equity in oceans work. “For me, as an Indigenous marine woman, this global commitment ...

New York, New York — June 10, 2025 — The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) will host its annual gala on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the iconic Central Park Zoo, in celebration of WCS’s global mission to protect wildlife and wild places through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. This year’s event will honor Dr. Cristián Samper, an esteemed conservation biologist and environmental leader whose decade of leadership as...

Nice, France, June 10, 2025 – At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), a growing coalition of countries and partners today launched and signed a high-level global commitment to protect climate-resilient coral reefs, setting a new bar for ocean action in a warming world. Championed by WCS alongside the Government of Papua New Guinea, WWF, and TNC, this voluntary commitment prioritizes coral reefs with the greatest potential to survive climate change – and to serve...

Images of the “butcher paper” being used by fish markets in New York and New Jersey to spread the word about protecting the underwater Hudson Canyon about 100 miles off the coast of NYC. New York, NY – June 10,  2025 — WCS is launching a new campaign—Petition Paper— to drive awareness and action around the protection of Hudson Canyon, a vital underwater ecosystem located just 100 miles off the coast of New York City i...

Nice, France, June 10, 2025 – The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) today announced over $40M in active funding commitments for 30x30 action, catalysed by its 30x30 Ocean Accelerator. The Ocean Accelerator is designed to be fast, efficient and flexible—helping governments, local communities, and conservation organizations seize time-sensitive opportunities to protect the ocean in ways that are inclusive, durable, and impactful. “This initiative meets countri...

Nice, France, June 10, 2025 – At the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the Government of Tanzania announced the designation of two new marine protected areas (MPAs) in the biodiverse waters off Pemba Island, a major step forward for marine conservation in the Western Indian Ocean. The North-East Pemba Conservation Area (837 km²) and the South-East Pemba Conservation Area (468 km²) together span over 1,300 km² and protect vital coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves,...

Coney Island, NY, June 6, 2025 – The WCS New York Aquarium’s partners and volunteers picked up more than 200 pounds of litter today along the Coney Island beach in less than two hours in recognition of World Oceans Day, which is Sunday, June 8. More than 150 volunteers picked up plastic straws and bottles; shoes; soccer balls; cigarette butts; metal bottle caps and cans; and other litter that could harm wildlife and people. “The cleanup of the lit...

Coney Island, NY, June 4, 2025 – WCS’s New York Aquarium has organized a beach cleanup for Friday, June 6. All are invited to pick up litter and debris along the beach to help ensure the ocean is safe and healthy for people and wildlife. World Oceans Day is Sunday, June 8. All volunteers are invited to pick up litter outside the New York Aquarium along the Atlantic Ocean beach front, preventing marine debris and microplastics from entering the waterways. At the end of the cle...

LA PAZ, BOLIVIA, June 4, 2025—A new scientific study has confirmed that Andean bears (Tremarctos ornatus)—South America’s only bear species considered threatened on the IUCN Red List—have a significantly greater presence in protected areas of the northern Bolivian Andes. The study, published in the Journal for Nature Conservation, underscores the effectiveness of protected areas while warning of the negative impacts of roads and human encroachment. A multinatio...

Coney Island, NY, May 27, 2025 -- In celebration of World Oceans Week,  REEL WILD™ New York Film Festival is hosting a special screening of The Last Dive on Wednesday, June 11, at our New York Aquarium. The screening will be in Ocean Wonders: Sharks!. Film description: Terry is a legendary figure in Baja Mexico, an American veteran who has spent decades living on—and in—the water. Once a man burdened by a troubled past, Terry’s life w...