About

A Partnership

The Global Center for Species Survival is built upon a partnership and a commitment to conservation.

As human pressure continues to drive biodiversity loss, the work of conservationists from around the world becomes more vital in protecting and restoring nature. Only through collaboration can we protect species and the spaces they call home.

That’s why the Indianapolis Zoo partnered with the world’s largest conservation organization – the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – which connects thousands of dedicated individuals under the Species Survival Commission (SSC).

The Global Center combines the expertise and resources of its partners to provide crucial capacity to support, connect and communicate the work of more than 10,000 conservationists joined together in more than 180 Specialist Groups, Task Forces and Conservation Committees of the IUCN SSC.

The Global Center for Species Survival

Securing a Future for Animals, Fungi and Plants

Learn More

A Commitment

Saving Wild Species and Wild Spaces

The mission of the Indianapolis Zoo is to protect nature and inspire people to care for our world. A critical component of the Zoo’s conservation mission is to promote sustainability. The Zoo tackles this mission on multiple fronts, including initiating and maintaining green practices and encouraging others to adopt a “greener” way of life through special programs and exhibit features at the Zoo, which help set a good example for sustaining a healthy environment in Indianapolis and beyond.

The Indianapolis Zoo is committed to conservation around the globe. One of the keystones of the Zoo’s commitment to conservation is to support efforts around the world to save wild species and wild spaces that are in peril. The Zoo’s support is boundless through its involvement and monetary assistance with many different organizations, researchers and scientists in the field whose hard work is helping to preserve unique species and their habitats for future generations.

Learn More

A Network

Conserving Nature Through Positive Action

The Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a science-based network of more than 10,500 of volunteer experts from almost every country in the world, all working together towards achieving the vision of “a just world that values and conserves nature through positive action to both prevent the loss and aid recovery of diversity of life on Earth.”

Working in close association with the IUCN’s Secretariat, SSC’s major role is to provide information on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, the provision of ecosystem services, and their support to human livelihoods. This information supports The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is shared widely on social media, scientific publications and popular articles.

SSC members provide scientific advice to conservation organizations, government agencies and IUCN Members, and support the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements.