End of Year Campaign 2024

Giant Panda Conservation

Giant pandas

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Conservation Ecology Center (CEC) is instrumental in developing science-based conservation programs for giant pandas and their habitats. Led by Melissa Songer, Qiongyu Huang and Bill McShea, the program focuses on studies of giant pandas in the wild, including evaluating giant panda landscapes to delineate corridors for connecting reserves; the ecology of giant pandas and wildlife species that share their habitat; and modeling the impacts of climate change and restoring habitat.

CEC researchers train staff at giant panda reserves to use GIS mapping for reserve management and to conduct research on the mammal communities living in these reserves. Working with Peking and Tsinghua Universities, CEC scientists also mentor Chinese graduate students studying giant pandas and their habitat.

In 2022, the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute celebrated its 50th anniversary of of unprecedented achievement in the care, conservation, breeding and study of giant pandas. Learn about the legacy of the panda program in this video:

Continue Exploring

Changing Landscapes Initiative

Smithsonian scientists work alongside community members in Northwestern Virginia to evaluate the impacts of land-use change on wildlife, ecosystem services and community health.

Coral Biobank Alliance

Smithsonian scientists are part of the Coral Biobank Alliance, a global network of coral experts preserving corals for restoration and research.

Coral Species Cryopreserved with Global Collaborators​

View a list of the coral species that have been cryopreserved using a technique developed by Smithsonian scientists.

Wildebeest Conservation

Conservation Ecology Center scientists are tracking the movements of white-bearded wildebeest to understand how changes across the landscape impact the species.

Protecting Piping Plovers in the Great Lakes

In 2022, the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center will begin a new research project to help protect endangered piping plovers from predation by merlins.

Swift Fox Recovery

Smithsonian scientists, in collaboration with the Fort Belknap Fish and Wildlife Department, are embarking on a five-year swift fox reintroduction project to restore swift foxes to tribal lands and to help reestablish connectivity between disjointed swift fox populations.

Conserving the World’s Largest Working Wetland

Conservation Ecology Center researchers are collaborating with institutions in Brazil and other Smithsonian colleagues to support sustainable cattle ranching in the Pantanal wetland.