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Biodiversity

About This Collection

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. It is necessary for life to thrive on Earth.

Aldo Leopold, one of the great thinkers of conservation, observed more than half a century ago the importance of protecting species. "To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering," he wrote. Losing species is like throwing away one by one the engine parts of an airplane while flying.

Biodiversity is a major initiative of Conservation International.

Biodiversity conservation provides substantial benefits to meet immediate human needs, such as those for clean, consistent water flows; protection from floods and storms; and a stable climate. 

Curated by mokiethecat

A Wild Gila River
April 25, 2022

Originating in the United States’ first federally protected wilderness, the Gila River stands as the Southwest’s last major free-flowing waterway. From New Mexico to the Gulf of California, it carves a vital green corridor through Arizona’s arid Sonoran Desert, sustaining endangered species like Chiricahua leopard frogs and yellow-billed cuckoos.

Watch this video to explore the Gila’s breathtaking beauty and rich history, featuring insights from Center for Biological Diversity cofounder Todd Schulke.

Learn more: Center for Biological Diversity | Wild Gila River | National Wild and Scenic Rivers