WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society)

## Summary

A core mandate of the WCS Singapore office is the engagement of Singapore-based institutions through strategic partnerships to leverage support for WCS priorities in the Southeast Asia region.

Southeast Asia is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Four globally significant hotspots characterize the region with extraordinarily high levels of terrestrial and marine biodiversity. However, Southeast Asia's unique biodiversity is at risk. Over the past 40 years, the extraordinary advances in human development and poverty alleviation experienced by the region has been linked to the exploitation of natural resources. From dams to mines to industrial tree plantations, economic forces have transformed natural landscapes and seascapes at an unprecedented scale and intensity. The economic and ecological transformation of the region is characterized by rampant deforestation, overfishing, and wildlife exploitation. In many ways Southeast Asia has been recapitulating the economic and environmental transformation of Europe, completing in decades a process that took centuries in Europe. Southeast Asia in the Anthropocene poses daunting challenges for biodiversity protection.

Singapore, a leader among the ASEAN nations epitomizes much of the ecological and economic transformation that is currently underway in many parts of Southeast Asia. Economically ranked among the wealthiest countries in the world, Singapore has lost more than 90% of its original forest cover and associated biodiversity to rapid economic transformation. Environmental security in Southeast Asia is strategically relevant to Singapore, a prosperous city-state with advanced scientific, technological capabilities and world-class universities.

## Vision

WCS envisions a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas, valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth. During their 116 years history, they have forged the power of their global conservation work to create the world’s most comprehensive conservation organization. they currently manage about 500 conservation projects in more than 60 countries; and educate millions of visitors at their five living institutions in New York City on important issues affecting our planet.

## Mission

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. They do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship New York Bronx Zoo. Together, these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. With a commitment to protect 25% of the world’s biodiversity, they address four of the biggest issues facing wildlife and wild places: climate change; natural resource exploitation; the connection between wildlife health and human health; and the sustainable development of human livelihoods.

## WCS Singapore Mission

To leverage on their resources for greater conservation impact in the Southeast Asia Archipelago Region through strategic partnerships.

## Initiatives

Please get in touch with them to find out!

## Get in Touch

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or intern with WCS Singapore, kindly contact them at [[1]] with the following information:

* Title, Full name, Age, Occupation
* Period of availability Area(s) of interest, Skillsets
* Reasons you are interested in being part of WCS Singapore and what you hope to gain from the experience
* CV/ Resume (pdf)

### Location:

WCS Singapore

2 Science Park Drive 01 03 Ascent Singapore 118222

[[2]]

## References

1. ↑ About Us - WCS Singapore in the Southeast Asian Archipelago Region, WCS Singapore https://singapore.wcs.org/About-Us/WCS-Singapore-in-the-Southeast-Asian-Archipelago-Region.aspx, Accessed on 4 Oct 2020
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 About Us - History and Mission, WCS Singapore, https://singapore.wcs.org/About-Us/-History-and-Mission.aspx Accessed on 4 Oct 2020
3. ↑ About Us - Work/Volunteer Opportunities, WCS Singapore ,https://singapore.wcs.org/Work-Opportunities.aspx Accessed on 4 Oct 2020
4. ↑ About Us - Contact Us, WCS Singapore, https://singapore.wcs.org/About-Us/Contact-Us.aspx Accessed on 4 Oct 2020