South America

Snowy owl flying

The U.N. grants international protection to 40 new migratory species

By / / Good News For Humankind

At the CMS COP15 summit in Campo Grande, Brazil, 132 nations expanded UN migratory species protections on March 29, 2026, adding 40 animals — including the snowy owl, giant otter, striped hyena, and great hammerhead shark — to the treaty’s legally binding protection lists. The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species now covers more than 1,200 unique species. A new UN interim report released at the summit found that 49% of already-protected species populations are declining and 24% face extinction. The decisions set binding conservation obligations for member nations and signal that coordinated international action remains the strongest tool available to slow wildlife loss.

Seal underwater

Chile surpasses 50% ocean protection with the world’s third-largest fully protected marine zone

By / / Good News For Humankind

Chilean President Gabriel Boric has signed a decree extending full Chile ocean protection to roughly 140,000 square miles around the Juan Fernández and Nazca-Desventuradas marine parks, pushing national coverage past 50% of its exclusive economic zone. Once implemented, the fully protected zone will rank as the third largest in the world, behind the Ross Sea and Papahānaumokuākea. The Organización Comunitaria Funcional Mar de Juan Fernández — a community of fewer than 1,000 people managing a sustainable lobster fishery since 1890 — drove the proposal forward. Their success demonstrates that durable ocean conservation starts with the people who live there.

Dolphins

Brazil creates critical coastal protection area to save Atlantic biodiversity

By / / Good News For Humankind

Brazil has achieved a historic conservation victory by establishing a 271,000-acre protected area along the coast of Rio Grande do Sul via federal decree. This decision secures a vital future for the endangered Lahille’s bottlenose dolphin and a rare prehistoric fossil record containing giant ground sloths. While environmentalists maintain a measured outlook regarding the need for increased federal ranger patrols and enforcement, the new reserve ensures that industrial development cannot destroy these sensitive dunes and seagrass beds. This progress provides a practical model for how nations can meet international climate goals while protecting local livelihoods.

Giant tortoise

Giant tortoises return to Galápagos island after 180 years

By / / Good News For Humankind

For the first time in 180 years, giant tortoises are once again roaming Floreana Island in the Galápagos. The native species was hunted to extinction in the mid-nineteenth century, but scientists recently discovered descendants living on a neighboring island. Following a highly successful, decade-long captive breeding program, conservationists and local park rangers have officially released 158 juvenile tortoises back into their ancestral homeland. As vital ecosystem engineers, these young tortoises will disperse seeds and restore habitats, marking a monumental first step in a broader project to revive the island’s natural biodiversity.

Rainforest canopy

Bolivia protects over 2.4 million acres of Amazonian rainforest in major conservation win

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a massive victory for the Amazon, Bolivia has established the Rhukanrhuka Municipal Protected Area, safeguarding nearly 2.4 million acres of critical rainforest. This achievement is the result of a powerful partnership between the municipal government of Reyes and the Tsimane, Movima, and Yuracaré Indigenous communities. The new reserve protects vital habitats for endangered species like the Bolivian river dolphin and secures a massive carbon sink. This initiative empowers local stewardship and promotes sustainable economic alternatives to deforestation.

Bees

Stingless bees from the Amazon granted legal rights in world first

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a historic environmental breakthrough, the Peruvian municipalities of Satipo and Nauta have become the first in the world to grant legal rights to native stingless bees. The ordinances recognize the bees’ right to exist and flourish, protecting them from threats like deforestation and invasive Africanized honeybees. This legislation integrates the traditional knowledge of the Asháninka and Kukama-Kukamiria peoples with modern law. It allows human guardians to represent the bees in court, setting a powerful new precedent for protecting biodiversity through the Rights of Nature.

Mountain landscape with blue sky in background

More than 325,000 acres of Chilean Patagonia now protected after “remarkable” local fundraising

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a monumental victory for grassroots conservation, a local coalition has successfully raised 78 million dollars to purchase and protect approximately 328,000 acres of pristine wilderness in Chilean Patagonia. This massive area, known as Hacienda Pucheguin, is home to ancient alerce forests, glaciers, and endangered wildlife like the huemul deer. The initiative, led by the NGO Puelo Patagonia, prevents industrial development and establishes a new model for private conservation that integrates sustainable ecotourism and community stewardship.

Aerial view of river running through rainforest

Bolivia declares its first Indigenous protected area in its Amazon

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a historic victory for conservation and Indigenous rights, Bolivia has designated Loma Santa as the first Indigenous Protected Area in its Amazon region. This landmark decision grants legal authority to the Moxeño Ignaciano, Yuracaré, and Tsimane peoples to manage their ancestral lands. By securing land tenure, the move protects vital rainforest ecosystems from illegal encroachment and deforestation. This model of Indigenous-led stewardship empowers local communities and sets a powerful precedent for environmental justice across the Amazon basin.

River running through rainforest

Colombia bans all new oil and mining projects in its Amazon

By / / Good News For Humankind

In a decisive victory for the environment, the Colombian government has declared a halt to all future industrial extraction within its rainforest territories. This policy protects 42% of the nation’s territory, immediately stopping hundreds of pending permits. The ban prioritizes biodiversity, water systems, and Indigenous land rights over short-term profit. By shifting focus to a sustainable bioeconomy, Colombia is setting a powerful example of environmental sovereignty for the entire Amazon basin.

Nine nations commit to recognizing 395 million acres of Indigenous land by 2030

By / / Good News For Humankind

A landmark international coalition has committed to formally recognizing 395 million acres of Indigenous and traditional community lands worldwide. The nine countries making this pledge are Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Gabon, Guatemala, the Republic of Congo, Peru, and Venezuela. This massive commitment to land tenure security empowers millions of Indigenous and local people to be the primary stewards of their ancestral territories, ensuring the permanent protection of globally vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots.