Conservation efforts in Jordan set to safeguard cultural heritage and expend national protected area coverage

IUCN’s Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA), in partnership with the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) and Jordan’s Ministry of Agriculture, has revitalised the Shoubak Nursery to propagate native tree species, supporting the restoration of juniper forests on the ridges overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra. The project is strengthening climate resilience while improving livelihoods through income-generation opportunities for local communities, particularly women and youth.

Through the Taziz project, more than 850 local initiators—including women and young people—have been actively engaged in restoration activities, helping to shift social norms by expanding women’s participation in field-based environmental work. Beyond its ecological impact, the initiative is fostering intergenerational knowledge transfer and skills development, particularly through the Shoubak Forestry Nursery, positioning women as key contributors to restoration and reinforcing inclusive, long-term resilience outcomes for both people and nature.

“It is inspiring to see IUCN and its partners implementing ecological restoration and delivering Nature-based Solutions that benefit local communities while contributing to global conservation goals,” said IUCN Deputy Director General Stewart Maginnis, who visited several project sites around Petra and Shoubak last week with ROWA colleagues. “These forest landscape restoration efforts are essential to restoring ecosystem functionality and preserving vital ecosystem services in Shoubak and around the ancient city of Petra—protecting this globally significant archaeological site from environmental degradation and safeguarding the well-being of local communities.”

In addition to ecological restoration, the Taziz project has identified opportunities to expand Jordan’s protected area network through a major national review. The proposed revisions include the designation of a natural protected area within the Petra Archaeological Park and an extension to the Shoubak Proposed Protected Area.

These additions will enhance the representation of key ecosystems within Jordan’s protected areas network and safeguard critical biodiversity sites along the Red Sea Flyway—used by millions of migratory birds each year, including many species listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

“This initiative demonstrates how integrated conservation approaches can deliver multiple benefits for biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage, and local development,” said ROWA's Regional Director, Dr Hany El Shaer. “Implemented in full coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment, it directly supports Jordan’s National Reforestation Strategy and IUCN’s programme of work. This would not be possible without the excellent cooperation of our many partners.”

Funded by Global Affairs Canada, the Taziz project is building a model for landscape-scale restoration in Jordan—linking climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and community well-being.

About IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, bringing together governments, civil society organisations, Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, and experts in a shared mission to conserve nature and ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. With more than 1,400 Member organisations and over 15,000 experts across six Commissions, IUCN provides science-based knowledge, global standards, and on-the-ground action to address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, from biodiversity loss to climate change.

About IUCN Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA)

The IUCN Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) advances nature-positive development across the region through biodiversity conservation, protected and conserved areas, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and community empowerment. ROWA partners with governments, civil society, academia, and local communities to translate global frameworks into regional action—supporting countries in achieving their biodiversity and climate goals while ensuring that people remain at the heart of conservation. Through initiatives such as Taziz, IUCN ROWA demonstrates how science, policy, and community leadership can come together to build resilient landscapes and a sustainable future for West Asia.

About Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada leads the Government of Canada’s international engagement, including diplomacy, development, trade, and humanitarian assistance. Through its international development programming, Global Affairs Canada supports partner countries in building inclusive, sustainable, and resilient societies. By funding initiatives such as the Taziz project in Jordan, Global Affairs Canada helps advance climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and gender equality—delivering lasting benefits for communities, ecosystems, and future generations.