Posted In Conservation | 30th June 2021
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
Dublin Zoo is an official supporter of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030
We are delighted to announce that Dublin Zoo is an official supporter of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Dublin Zoo joins hundreds of other institutions that have responded to the call initiated by UNEP for World Environment Day on Saturday, June 5th 2021.
Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier ecosystems are, the healthier the planet and its people. The last decades saw the deterioration of all world ecosystems: human activities have led to the climate and nature crisis, with now one million species at risk of extinction. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims at boosting actions to restore and preserve our planet, helping to end poverty, combat climate change, prevent a fauna and flora mass extinction, and allow next generations to be amazed and inspired by the beauty of nature while benefitting from its resources. We must act now to create a better world for people and the planet in 10 years.
In February 2021, we were proud to become the first Irish organisation to officially join the European Commission’s Global Coalition “United for Biodiversity”, to help fight the biodiversity crisis. We joined forces with dozens of others, including the World, European and British & Irish associations of zoos and aquariums, to speak up for nature ahead of the crucial CoP15 meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming, China in October 2021. During this summit, the 196 Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity are expected to adopt a new global framework to protect and restore nature.
By announcing our support to the UN decade on ecosystem restoration, we want to reinforce our commitment to nature and hope to inspire many others to get involved.
What we’re doing
Dublin Zoo’s aim is to save wildlife and inspire a passion for nature – one person, one family at a time. We achieve this by providing world class animal care, participating in international conservation and breeding programmes for endangered species, and to educate visitors on the importance of the natural world. We hope to engage our communities in the common efforts to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide, through these actions.
Peatlands are vital carbon sinks and home to a wide variety of plants and animals which is why Dublin Zoo supports the Irish Peatlands Conservation Council, protecting peatlands of conservation importance. Since 2000, we have been supporting the Golden Lion Tamarin Association, an organisation that is actively involved in restoring the Atlantic Forest where this species is found. We have also provided support to the Bongo Surveillance Project, which works with local communities to protect the forest ecosystem where the mountain bongos reside.
What you can do
Dublin Zoo is home to over 400 animals from all around the world! Many of the animals living here are extremely rare species whose very survival is under threat in the wild. We want to spread the word, and for everyone to learn as much as they can about these incredible animals – which is why we’re excited to bring you our Animal Adoption Packs!
This month, with our sustainability partner, SSE Airtricity, we launched ‘For Our World’, a series of interactive and fun online learning adventures, to educate families about the natural world and the animals, habitats and conservation programmes at Dublin Zoo. We’re encouraging the public to take part in these activities and enjoy exploring the incredible ecosystems around them. Find out more here.
Bring Dublin Zoo to your Classroom
Dublin Zoo’s Discovery and Learning Team highlight the importance of the natural world through various educational events and activities, including the ‘Champions of conservation’ virtual primary school programme, which focuses on the threats facing wildlife. Find out more here.
