Natural Resource Extraction

With the continued growth of extractive industries worldwide, it is crucial that we provide sound research and support policy initiatives that mitigate the effects on the world's biodiversity. WCS conservationists are conducting research on the effects of such industries around the world. In coastal waters of Madagascar and Western Africa, Howard Rosenbaum is studying the effects of the oil and gas industry on marine mammals. In the Albertine Rift, we are examining the impact of oil excavation on the wildlands of Uganda. On the other end of the globe, conservation scientist Steve Zack continues to study wildlife dynamics and the impacts of the oil industry in the Arctic coastal plain in an effort to inform policy given the interests in further expansion of oil development in the area. Likewise, Joel Berger is continuing longterm research on the great pronghorn migration, in and out of Grand Teton National Park, in the western United States with particular attention to the effects energy development is having on this extremely valuable migration corridor.

WCS is working in Madagascar to mitigate the effects of the oil and gas industries on marine mammals

WCS also works with extractive industries to develop means by which they can offset the destructive impacts of their practices by investing directly in conservation. Our work in Mbam Djerem National Park in Cameroon serves as an innovative model as it is partially supported by the Foundation for Development and Environment (FEDEC), a foundation endowed by ExxonMobil from proceeds of the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline.