Massachusetts and California intend to join the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They would be the first U.S. states to do so. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll made the announcement at the same time the 2025 World Conservation Congress was taking place from Oct. 9-15 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. “Massachusetts is leading the way to a future where people and nature thrive. As the first states to announce our intention to join the IUCN, Massachusetts and California are standing firm by our commitments to lead the nation on biodiversity conservation,” said Healey. “The value of this work is undeniable—this will help us protect wildlife, strengthen our local economies and really preserve what makes Massachusetts so special.” The two states would become official members in 2026.
Article by The Wildlife Society
