Claim: The brown bear is listed on species listing.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature -LRB- IUCN -RRB- is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources . It is involved in data gathering and analysis , research , field projects , advocacy , lobbying and education . IUCN 's mission is to `` influence , encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable . ''   Over the past decades , IUCN has widened its focus beyond conservation ecology and now incorporates issues related to gender equality , poverty alleviation and sustainable business in its projects . Unlike many other international environmental NGOs , IUCN does not itself aim to mobilize the public in support of nature conservation . It tries to influence the actions of governments , business and other stakeholders by providing information and advice , and through lobbying and partnerships . The organization is best known to the wider public for compiling and publishing the IUCN Red List , which assesses the conservation status of species worldwide .   IUCN has a membership of over 1200 governmental and non-governmental organizations . Some 11,000 scientists and experts participate in the work of IUCN commissions on a voluntary basis . It employs approximately 1000 full-time staff in more than 60 countries . Its headquarters are in Gland , Switzerland .   IUCN has observer and consultative status at the United Nations , and plays a role in the implementation of several international conventions on nature conservation and biodiversity . It was involved in establishing the World Wide Fund for Nature and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre . In the past , IUCN has been criticized for placing the interests of nature over those of indigenous peoples . In recent years , its closer relations with the business sector have caused controversy .   IUCN was established in 1948 . It was previously called the International Union for Protection of Nature -LRB- 1948 -- 1956 -RRB- and the World Conservation Union -LRB- 1990 -- 2008 -RRB- .