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The Caucasus region stands as one of the world’s most remarkable treasures, combining extraordinary cultural heritage with unparalleled natural diversity. Nestled between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, this mountainous region spanning Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and portions of Russia, Iran, and Turkey has emerged as a critical focal point for global conservation efforts and heritage preservation. The Caucasus is one of the most biologically rich regions on Earth, ranking as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots according to both Conservation International and WWF. This article explores the multifaceted contributions of the Caucasus to world heritage and natural conservation, examining its UNESCO-protected sites, biodiversity initiatives, and the ongoing efforts to preserve this irreplaceable region for future generations.
The Caucasus as a Global Biodiversity Hotspot
Formed by the isthmus between the Black and Caspian Seas, the Caucasus ecoregion is a biological crossroads, where plant and animal species from Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa mingle with endemic species found nowhere else on earth. About the size of France, the hotspot spans 500,000 square kilometers including Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as small portions of Russia, Iran and Turkey.
The region’s exceptional biodiversity stems from its unique geographical position and varied topography. This relatively small area holds a number of different landscapes from semi-desert to high altitude tundra, from alpine meadow to deep forest. This remarkable diversity of ecosystems creates habitats for an astounding array of species, many of which exist nowhere else on the planet.
Plant Diversity and Endemism
The Caucasus region exhibits extraordinary plant diversity that places it among the most botanically significant areas in the temperate world. The hotspot boasts some 6,500 species of vascular plants, a quarter of which are found nowhere else. This level of plant endemism is particularly remarkable for a temperate region.
With over 25% of its 6,400 plant species known as endemic, the Caucasus has the highest level of endemism in the temperate world. The Caucasus is home to 2,791 endemic plant species–a level of plant endemism that is among the highest in the temperate world. These endemic species include ancient relict plants that survived the last ice age, providing scientists with invaluable genetic resources and insights into evolutionary processes.
About a third of these endemic species have their evolutionary origins in the Caucasus–17 plant genera are endemic to the Caucasus, nine of which occur in the high mountains. This concentration of unique plant life makes the region a priority for botanical research and conservation efforts worldwide.
Fauna and Wildlife Diversity
The animal diversity of the Caucasus is equally impressive, with the region supporting a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate species. More than 600 vertebrate animal species are distributed in the Caucasus, including 200 fish species (33% endemics), 77 reptile species (28 endemics), 400 bird species, and 150 mammal species.
There are about 130 mammal species in the Caucasus Hotspot, nearly 20 of which are endemic. Among the most notable mammals are several threatened large species that have become flagship species for conservation efforts in the region.
Priority Species for Conservation
Several charismatic and ecologically important species call the Caucasus home, many of which face significant conservation challenges. The leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) is the rarest species in the ecoregion. Less than 100 still roam the Caucasus Ecoregion: including approximately 50 in Northern Iran, 15 in Azerbaijan, 10 in the North Caucasus regions of Russia, 10-12 in Armenia, and perhaps a few in Georgia.
Several threatened large mammal species are found here, including the Endangered Caucasian tur (Capra caucasica), a member of the goat family. The region is also home to two species of Caucasian tur, both endemic to the Greater Caucasus mountains, representing unique evolutionary adaptations to the harsh mountain environment.
The European bison has a particularly poignant conservation story in the Caucasus. The Caucasus population became extinct by 1927. The species was reintroduced to the Northern Caucasus but it is once again under threat—there are just over 70 bison in two nature reserves in the Russian Caucasus. The site has a great diversity of ecosystems, with important endemic plants and wildlife, and is the place of origin and reintroduction of the mountain subspecies of the European bison.
Other notable species include the goitered gazelle, whose population has shown remarkable recovery thanks to conservation efforts. A hundred years ago, 60,000 gazelles roamed the steppe, but by 1961 only 130 animals were left. Conservation measures helped save the population from extinction and gazelle numbers in the Shirvan protected areas have grown to more than 5,000 today.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Caucasus
The cultural and natural significance of the Caucasus has been recognized through the designation of numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the region. In October 2023, Azerbaijan was granted its fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site, bringing the total number of properties in the South Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan) to 11. These sites represent the region’s rich historical legacy, architectural achievements, and natural wonders.
Natural Heritage: The Western Caucasus
The Western Caucasus, extending over 275,000 ha of the extreme western end of the Caucasus mountains and located 50 km north-east of the Black Sea, is one of the few large mountain areas of Europe that has not experienced significant human impact. This pristine wilderness represents one of the most important natural heritage sites in the entire region.
Its subalpine and alpine pastures have only been grazed by wild animals, and its extensive tracts of undisturbed mountain forests, extending from the lowlands to the subalpine zone, are unique in Europe. Along with the Virgin Komi World Heritage site, it is the only large mountain area in Europe that has not experienced significant human impact, containing extensive tracts of undisturbed mountain forests unique on the European scale.
Georgia’s UNESCO Heritage Sites
Georgia has 4 UNESCO listed sights and 14 on the tentative list. 3 are cultural: Mtskheta, Upper Svaneti, and Gelati; Colchic Rainforests is the natural one. Each of these sites represents a unique aspect of Georgia’s contribution to world heritage.
Mtskheta: Ancient Capital and Religious Center
Mtskheta is one of the oldest cities in Georgia and in the world, with an extremely long history of settlement. It is a city whose monuments have been under protection since 1994 and boasts a very important church and cultural centre of Georgia. The historical monuments of Mtskheta the Jvari Monastery, the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the Samtavro Monastery, are outstanding examples of medieval religious architecture in Caucasus.
Upper Svaneti: Medieval Mountain Villages
Preserved by its long isolation, the Upper Svaneti region of the Caucasus is an exceptional example of mountain scenery with medieval-type villages and tower-houses. The village of Chazhashi still has more than 200 of these very unusual houses, which were used both as dwellings and as defence posts against the invaders who plagued the region.
The region has been under UNESCO protection since 1996 and represents one of the highest regions of Georgia. The region has a famous site with the Svans towers, which were actually residential buildings that also had a defensive function. The land use and settlement structure reveal the continued dwelling and building traditions of local Svan people living in harmony with the surrounding natural environment.
Gelati Monastery: Center of Medieval Learning
Gelati Monastery is a monastic complex in central Georgia that dates back to the 12th century. This monastery has been under UNESCO protection since 1994 and represents an example of the Georgian Golden Age, an aesthetic that is applied to paintings and buildings. In medieval Georgia, the monastery was an important educational and cultural centre and functioned as the prototype of the first Georgian university.
Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands
Georgia’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site, as of 2021, is the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands, which includes an area along the Black Sea. This natural heritage site protects unique temperate rainforest ecosystems that are remnants of ancient forests that once covered much larger areas of Eurasia.
Armenia’s Cultural Heritage Sites
There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Armenia (all Cultural monuments), plus an additional four Tentative sites and seven Intangible Cultural Heritage elements. These sites showcase Armenia’s rich Christian heritage and architectural traditions.
Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin
In the high mountainous expanse of northern Armenia is the Haghpat Monastery, which has stood proudly since the 10th century. Thanks to its position, the Monastery is often hidden from unwelcome guests, shrouded in fog and low cloud cover. The Sanahin Monastery is located nearby, and together with the Haghpat Monastery, it forms a unique church unit, a place of medieval learning. These monasteries are also significant because of their unique architecture, a combination of Byzantine and vernacular styles. These monasteries have been on the UNESCO list since 1996.
Geghard Monastery and the Upper Azat Valley
Geghard Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its bas-reliefs and stunning scenery. Many of the monuments, including Geghard, date back to the 4th century and the days of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. This was the point in time when Armenia became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion.
Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin
Etchmiadzin Cathedral and Zvartnots Archaeological Complex were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. Etchmiadzin Cathedral (301AD) is the world’s first official church and current center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, making it a site of immense religious and historical significance.
Azerbaijan’s Heritage Contributions
With four World Heritage Sites (three Cultural and one Natural), Georgia ties with Azerbaijan for the highest number of UNESCO-protected properties in the region. Azerbaijan’s sites reflect its position along the ancient Silk Road and its unique cultural traditions.
Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace
Sheki is the newest UNESCO World Heritage Site in the South Caucasus (inscribed only in 2019). The city of Shaki in the northwestern region of the country has been inhabited since antiquity and is a significant staging post on the former Silk Road. Sheki Khans’ Palace (18th century) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built without glue or nails and famous for its stained glass and miniature paintings.
Khinalig People and Cultural Landscape
The village Khinalug was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 2023. Khinalug is one of the most ancient settlements in the country where people have been continuously living for more than 5,000 years. The alpine village – one of the highest in the Caucasus – is an absolutely breathtaking culmination.
Conservation Challenges and Threats
Despite its remarkable biodiversity and cultural heritage, the Caucasus faces numerous conservation challenges that threaten both its natural ecosystems and cultural monuments. Understanding these threats is essential for developing effective conservation strategies.
Habitat Loss and Degradation
Major contemporary threats to the region’s biodiversity include illegal logging, fuel-wood harvesting, overgrazing and pollution. Unsustainable, illegal logging, often by large commercial operators for export, is rapidly driving wild species to extinction and it is now estimated that less than 12% of the vegetation of the Caucasus remains unspoiled.
The impact of deforestation extends beyond the loss of forest cover. It fragments habitats, disrupts wildlife corridors, and threatens the survival of species that depend on intact forest ecosystems. The loss of forest cover also affects watershed protection, soil stability, and carbon sequestration, creating cascading environmental effects.
Climate Change Impacts
Climate change poses an increasingly serious threat to the Caucasus region. The area’s high-altitude ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to temperature changes, which can alter the distribution of plant and animal species and disrupt ecological relationships that have evolved over millennia.
Changes in precipitation patterns, glacier retreat, and shifting seasonal cycles all impact the region’s biodiversity. Alpine species, which are adapted to specific temperature ranges and cannot easily migrate to higher elevations, face particular risks from warming temperatures.
Human-Wildlife Conflict
As human populations expand and development encroaches on wildlife habitat, conflicts between people and animals have increased. Large predators such as leopards and bears sometimes prey on livestock, leading to retaliatory killings. Balancing the needs of local communities with wildlife conservation remains an ongoing challenge.
Conservation Initiatives and Protected Areas
Recognizing the critical importance of the Caucasus for global biodiversity, numerous conservation initiatives have been established to protect the region’s natural and cultural heritage. These efforts involve collaboration among governments, international organizations, local communities, and conservation groups.
The Ecoregional Conservation Plan
The Ecoregional Conservation Plan (ECP) for the Caucasus represents a comprehensive, science-based approach to conservation in the region. This collaborative effort brings together expertise from across all six Caucasus countries to identify conservation priorities and coordinate action.
The ECP identifies key conservation landscapes, priority species, and critical ecosystems that require protection. It also addresses the need for sustainable resource management, community engagement, and policy reform to support long-term conservation goals. The plan is regularly updated to reflect new scientific knowledge and changing conservation needs.
Protected Area Networks
The Caucasus region hosts an extensive network of protected areas, including nature reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. These protected areas serve as refuges for endangered species, protect critical habitats, and preserve representative examples of the region’s diverse ecosystems.
Key Protected Areas
Several protected areas stand out for their conservation significance and contribution to preserving the Caucasus’s natural heritage:
- Teberda Nature Reserve: Located in the Russian Caucasus, this reserve protects high-mountain ecosystems and serves as habitat for numerous endemic species.
- Mount Elbrus National Park: Surrounding Europe’s highest peak, this park protects alpine and subalpine ecosystems while managing sustainable tourism.
- Lagodekhi Protected Areas: Situated in Georgia, these protected areas preserve temperate forests and provide habitat for large mammals including bears and lynx.
- Shahdag National Park: Azerbaijan’s largest national park protects diverse mountain ecosystems and supports sustainable ecotourism development.
- Khosrov Forest State Reserve: One of Armenia’s oldest protected areas, preserving unique forest ecosystems and serving as habitat for the endangered Bezoar goat and Armenian mouflon.
The Caucasus Nature Fund
Established to provide long-term financial support for protected areas in the Caucasus, the Caucasus Nature Fund represents an innovative approach to conservation financing. This endowment fund generates sustainable income to support the management and protection of key conservation areas across the region.
The fund supports protected area management, community development projects, and conservation research. By providing reliable, long-term funding, it helps ensure that conservation efforts can continue even during periods of economic uncertainty or political change.
Species Recovery Programs
Targeted conservation programs focus on recovering populations of critically endangered species. These initiatives combine habitat protection, anti-poaching efforts, captive breeding when necessary, and community engagement to address the specific threats facing priority species.
The Caucasian leopard recovery program, for example, works to protect remaining leopard populations, restore prey species, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and create wildlife corridors connecting isolated populations. Similar programs target other flagship species including the Caucasian tur, European bison, and various endemic birds.
Community-Based Conservation
Successful conservation in the Caucasus requires the active participation and support of local communities. Community-based conservation initiatives recognize that people who live in and around protected areas are essential partners in conservation efforts.
Sustainable Livelihoods
Conservation programs increasingly focus on developing sustainable livelihood opportunities that provide economic benefits to local communities while supporting conservation goals. These initiatives include ecotourism development, sustainable agriculture, traditional craft production, and payments for ecosystem services.
By demonstrating that conservation can contribute to local economic development, these programs help build community support for protected areas and wildlife conservation. They also help reduce pressure on natural resources by providing alternative income sources.
Traditional Knowledge and Practices
The Caucasus region is home to diverse ethnic groups with deep traditional knowledge of local ecosystems and sustainable resource management practices. Conservation initiatives increasingly recognize the value of this traditional knowledge and work to integrate it with modern conservation science.
Traditional grazing practices, for example, have shaped many of the region’s alpine meadows and can contribute to maintaining biodiversity when managed sustainably. Traditional agricultural varieties and livestock breeds also represent important genetic resources that merit conservation.
Research and Monitoring
Scientific research and monitoring are essential foundations for effective conservation in the Caucasus. Understanding species distributions, population trends, ecological processes, and threats enables conservation practitioners to make informed decisions and adapt strategies as needed.
Biodiversity Surveys and Documentation
Despite more than a century of biological research in the Caucasus, significant gaps remain in our knowledge of the region’s biodiversity. It is especially the fauna and diversity of the invertebrate species, which is still largely unknown in the Caucasus. Despite a history of more than 150 years of zoological research in the region, nobody has even a rough idea of how many species of, for example, diptera (flies and midges), hymenoptera (bees and wasps), beetles and spiders exist in the Caucasus.
Ongoing biodiversity surveys work to document species distributions, discover new species, and assess conservation status. These efforts provide the baseline data needed for conservation planning and help identify priority areas and species for protection.
Long-Term Ecological Monitoring
Long-term monitoring programs track changes in ecosystems, species populations, and environmental conditions over time. This information is crucial for detecting trends, evaluating the effectiveness of conservation interventions, and understanding how ecosystems respond to climate change and other pressures.
Protected areas maintain monitoring programs that track key indicator species, measure habitat quality, and document human impacts. This data informs adaptive management strategies and helps protected area managers respond to emerging threats.
International Cooperation and Support
Conservation in the Caucasus benefits from strong international cooperation and support. International organizations, bilateral aid programs, and global conservation initiatives all contribute resources, expertise, and coordination to support conservation efforts in the region.
Global Conservation Organizations
Major international conservation organizations including WWF, Conservation International, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and BirdLife International all maintain active programs in the Caucasus. These organizations provide technical expertise, funding, and global advocacy for Caucasus conservation.
Their work includes supporting protected area management, conducting research, building local capacity, and promoting policy reforms that support conservation. They also help connect Caucasus conservation efforts to global initiatives and funding sources.
Transboundary Conservation
Many of the Caucasus’s most important ecosystems and wildlife populations cross national borders, making transboundary cooperation essential for effective conservation. Transboundary protected areas and coordinated management initiatives help ensure that conservation efforts are effective across political boundaries.
These initiatives facilitate information sharing, coordinate anti-poaching efforts, manage shared wildlife populations, and promote regional cooperation on conservation policy. They also help build trust and cooperation among neighboring countries.
Cultural Heritage Preservation
The preservation of the Caucasus’s cultural heritage is intrinsically linked to natural conservation efforts. Many of the region’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites combine natural and cultural values, and traditional cultural practices often play important roles in maintaining biodiversity.
Architectural Conservation
The region’s historic monuments, from medieval monasteries to traditional tower houses, require ongoing conservation efforts to protect them from deterioration, natural disasters, and inappropriate development. Conservation work must balance the need to preserve authentic architectural features with the practical requirements of modern use and visitor access.
Restoration projects employ traditional building techniques and materials where possible, preserving not only the physical structures but also the traditional crafts and knowledge associated with their construction and maintenance.
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Beyond physical monuments, the Caucasus possesses rich intangible cultural heritage including traditional music, dance, crafts, and agricultural practices. The region is distinguished by polyphonic musical singing, which gives uniqueness to the cultural expression. Georgian language and culture are particularly known for polyphony, so there are three forms: complex polyphony, which is common in Svaneti; polyphonic dialogue over a bass background, prevalent in the Kakheti region in Eastern Georgia; and contrasted polyphony with three partially improvised sung parts, characteristic of western Georgia.
Preserving these cultural traditions helps maintain cultural diversity and identity while also supporting sustainable livelihoods through cultural tourism and traditional crafts.
Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
Ecotourism represents both an opportunity and a challenge for conservation in the Caucasus. When properly managed, tourism can provide economic benefits that support conservation while raising awareness of the region’s natural and cultural heritage. However, poorly managed tourism can damage sensitive ecosystems and cultural sites.
Developing Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable tourism initiatives in the Caucasus focus on minimizing environmental impacts while maximizing benefits to local communities and conservation. This includes developing appropriate infrastructure, training local guides, establishing visitor management systems, and ensuring that tourism revenues support conservation and community development.
Many protected areas have developed ecotourism programs that allow visitors to experience the region’s natural beauty while supporting conservation. These programs often include guided nature walks, wildlife viewing opportunities, cultural experiences, and educational programs.
Balancing Access and Protection
Managing visitor access to sensitive natural and cultural sites requires careful planning to prevent damage while allowing people to experience and appreciate these special places. This includes establishing carrying capacities, creating designated trails and viewing areas, and implementing seasonal closures when necessary to protect wildlife or cultural sites.
Future Directions and Priorities
Looking forward, conservation in the Caucasus faces both challenges and opportunities. Climate change, economic development pressures, and political instability pose ongoing threats, while growing environmental awareness, improved conservation tools, and international support provide reasons for optimism.
Expanding Protected Area Coverage
While the Caucasus has an extensive network of protected areas, gaps remain in the coverage of important ecosystems and habitats. Expanding protected area coverage to include underrepresented ecosystems and creating wildlife corridors to connect isolated protected areas are important priorities for the future.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation
Enhanced cooperation among Caucasus countries on conservation issues can improve the effectiveness of conservation efforts and help address transboundary challenges. This includes coordinating protected area management, sharing research and monitoring data, and developing regional conservation strategies.
Building Local Capacity
Investing in education, training, and capacity building for local conservation professionals, protected area managers, and community members is essential for long-term conservation success. This includes supporting environmental education programs, providing professional training opportunities, and strengthening local conservation organizations.
Integrating Conservation and Development
Finding ways to integrate conservation with sustainable economic development remains a critical challenge. This requires developing economic models that value ecosystem services, promoting sustainable resource use, and ensuring that conservation contributes to poverty reduction and improved livelihoods.
The Role of Technology in Conservation
Modern technology is increasingly playing a role in Caucasus conservation efforts, providing new tools for monitoring, research, and management.
Remote Sensing and GIS
Satellite imagery, aerial photography, and geographic information systems (GIS) enable conservationists to monitor land use changes, track deforestation, map habitats, and plan protected area networks. These tools provide valuable data for conservation planning and help detect illegal activities such as logging or poaching.
Camera Traps and Wildlife Monitoring
Camera traps have revolutionized wildlife monitoring in the Caucasus, allowing researchers to document elusive species, estimate population sizes, and study animal behavior without disturbing wildlife. These tools have been particularly valuable for monitoring rare species such as the Caucasian leopard.
Genetic Research
Advances in genetic analysis provide new insights into species relationships, population structure, and evolutionary history. This information helps guide conservation strategies, identify priority populations for protection, and detect illegal wildlife trade.
Policy and Governance
Effective conservation requires supportive policy frameworks and good governance. This includes environmental legislation, land use planning, enforcement of conservation laws, and integration of conservation considerations into broader development planning.
National Biodiversity Strategies
Each Caucasus country has developed national biodiversity strategies and action plans that outline conservation priorities and commitments. These strategies provide frameworks for conservation action and help coordinate efforts among government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
International Agreements
The Caucasus countries are parties to various international environmental agreements including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). These agreements provide frameworks for international cooperation and establish standards for conservation action.
Education and Awareness
Building public awareness and support for conservation is essential for long-term success. Environmental education programs, public outreach campaigns, and media engagement all play important roles in building a conservation constituency.
Environmental Education Programs
Schools, nature centers, and protected areas offer environmental education programs that teach young people about biodiversity, ecosystems, and conservation. These programs help build environmental literacy and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Public awareness campaigns use media, events, and outreach activities to raise awareness of conservation issues and promote behavior change. These campaigns highlight the value of biodiversity, the threats it faces, and actions people can take to support conservation.
Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility
The Caucasus region’s contribution to world heritage and natural conservation efforts cannot be overstated. Its extraordinary biodiversity, unique cultural heritage, and pristine natural landscapes make it a treasure of global significance. The region’s designation as a biodiversity hotspot and the recognition of its numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites underscore its importance to humanity’s natural and cultural legacy.
However, this remarkable region faces serious conservation challenges. Habitat loss, climate change, illegal resource extraction, and development pressures all threaten the Caucasus’s biodiversity and cultural heritage. Addressing these challenges requires sustained commitment, adequate resources, and effective cooperation among governments, conservation organizations, local communities, and the international community.
The conservation initiatives underway in the Caucasus demonstrate what can be achieved through collaboration, scientific knowledge, and dedication. From protected area networks to species recovery programs, from community-based conservation to international cooperation, these efforts are making a difference in preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Yet much work remains to be done. Expanding protected area coverage, strengthening enforcement of conservation laws, building local capacity, and integrating conservation with sustainable development are all critical priorities for the future. Success will require not only continued investment in conservation but also addressing the underlying drivers of biodiversity loss and ensuring that conservation contributes to human well-being.
The Caucasus belongs not only to the people who live there but to all of humanity. Its ancient forests, towering mountains, unique wildlife, and cultural monuments are irreplaceable treasures that we have a collective responsibility to protect. By supporting conservation efforts in the Caucasus, we invest in preserving biodiversity, protecting ecosystem services, maintaining cultural diversity, and ensuring that future generations can experience and benefit from this extraordinary region.
For more information about biodiversity conservation efforts, visit the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund’s Caucasus page. To learn more about UNESCO World Heritage Sites, explore the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Those interested in supporting conservation in the region can learn more at the Caucasus Nature Fund. For information about wildlife conservation, visit WWF Caucasus. To explore the region’s botanical diversity, see the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s Caucasus project.
The story of conservation in the Caucasus is ultimately a story of hope—hope that through dedication, collaboration, and wise stewardship, we can preserve this remarkable region for generations to come. It is a reminder that conservation is not just about protecting nature for its own sake, but about preserving the natural and cultural heritage that enriches our lives, supports our well-being, and connects us to the larger web of life on Earth.