The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) is an independent national organization devoted to the conservation of Jordan’s natural resources. RSCN was established in 1966 with His Majesty the late King Hussein as the Honorary President. RSCN has been given the responsibility by the government to care for and protect the Kingdom’s biodiversity. As such, it is one of the few national organizations in the Middle East to be granted such a public mandate. RSCN has gained a wide global fame for its pioneering work in integrating nature conservation programs with socio-economic development.
As a result of its pioneering conservation work, RSCN has achieved international recognition and acclaim. Managing the nature resources of Jordan is done by setting up protected areas to safeguard the best wildlife and scenic areas as well as breeding endangered species to save them from extinction. In addition to enforcing governmental laws to protect wildlife, controlling illegal hunting and raising awareness of environmental issues through educational programs. Ultimately, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
In its short but rich history, RSCN has attained many achievements. The foremost of which is establishing ten protected areas covering over 1200 square kilometers. These areas comprise of wild plants, animals and other natural resources, while including some of the finest natural landscapes in the country.
The successful captive breeding of the magnificent endangered Arabian Oryx, gazelle and ibex and their re-introduction into the wilderness is considered as a pioneering step of conservational activity in the region. Hence, controlling illegal hunting throughout the Kingdom to preserve these wondrous creatures.
Finally, RSCN has designed and developed large-scale conservation programs to integrate environmental protection with the socio-economic development of local people.As a mean to achieving its mission of biodiversity conservation, RSCN has dedicated itself to Setting up and managing ten protected areas in Shaumari, Azraq, Wadi Mujib, Ajloun, Dana, Dibeen, Yarmouk, Fifa, Burqu and Dahek, covering over 4656 square kilometers in some of the finest natural landscapes in the country to safeguard Jordan’s natural environment and biodiversity, while additional sites are proposed as locations for the establishment of new reserves in the upcoming years.
• Enforce the Wildlife Protection Act through a special mandate from the Ministry of Agriculture, and work closely with law enforcement agencies, such as the environmental police unit (Rangers), to protect biodiversity. RSCN is also designated as the management and enforcement authority for CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
• Conduct research to provide a scientific base to aid conservation efforts.
• Raise awareness on environmental issues, with a focus on school students through establishing nature conservation clubs, providing educational programs in the reserves, and integrating biodiversity concepts in school curricula.
• Run captive breeding programs and save several endangered species from extinction, such as the magnificent endangered Arabian oryx, gazelle, and ibex and re-introduce them into the wilderness. RSCN has currently improved the process of captive breeding and embraced a new method of conservation, which involves a shift from species-oriented conservation programs to habitats-oriented conservation programs.
• Develop large-scale conservation projects that aim to integrate environmental protection with the socio-economic development of local people living in and around the nature reserves. RSCNs socio-economic projects include a wide variety of eco-tourism programs, as well as the production of unique handicrafts and organic food items. These nature-based businesses provide jobs tied to the protection of natural areas and create improved livelihoods for poor rural communities. All of RSCN products and eco-tourism ventures are marketed under the trade name “Wild Jordan” and the full range of handicrafts are available at the Wild Jordan Center in Amman.
• Provide training and capacity building to environmental practitioners and institutions throughout Jordan and the Middle East in an attempt to share our expertise and empower others to join in the protection of nature. RSCN has established the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation (RANC) recently to pursue this objective.
• Encourage the public to become more involved in the conservation efforts by joining RSCN membership program and becoming a voice for nature.
• Promote public action for environmental protection through campaigns and activities run by an advocacy committee comprised of volunteers from different sectors.