Nature Iraq is an Iraqi non-governmental organization registered in Iraq, accredited to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Iraq’s first and only Affiliate to Birdlife International, and the only Middle Eastern member of the Waterkeeper Alliance.
Nature Iraq was created to protect, restore, and preserve Iraq’s natural environment and the rich cultural heritage that it nourishes. Our mission includes fulfillment of the following goals:
- Improve the capacity of Iraq's institutions to protect its environment including local and national governmental and non-governmental bodies, along with universities, colleges, and scientific institutions.
- Develop a scientific database of environmental conditions and trends within Iraq through environmental monitoring and research programs focusing on water resources, ecology, and biodiversity.
- Encourage environmental awareness and stewardship of Iraq’s environment by promoting community-based environmental centers and clubs, developing environmental education programs in Iraq, and maintaining global awareness of Iraq’s environment.
- Promote the sustainable use of Iraq’s environment and resources, respect and balance the traditional use of the environment by indigenous inhabitants, preserve wildlife and biodiversity, and address the economic needs of both local inhabitants and the nation.
Nature Iraq’s guiding principles are reflected in the work we do:
- We foster dialogue and decision-making through consensus.
- We maintain a separation from political, ethnic and religious factions.
- We respect cultural diversity and traditional knowledge.
- We follow international guidelines and conventions for environmental restoration.
- We focus on local capacity building of existing and emerging Iraqi institutions.
- We collect and use the best scientific information available.
- We encourage local stewardship and work to engage indigenous inhabitants in planning projects and decision-making.
History
Nature Iraq is an Iraqi non-governmental organization registered in Iraq, accredited to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Iraq’s first and only Affiliate to BirdLife International. We work to protect, restore, and preserve Iraq’s natural environment and the rich cultural heritage it nourishes.
Our staff is comprised of a diverse group of extraordinarily dedicated and deeply concerned scientists, birding photographers, environmentalists, administrators, interpreters and translators, logistics experts, IT and communication specialists, and a few “experts in general.” Our in-house staff members are representative of numerous sects and segments of Iraqi society, and include a few Iraqi expats and international stragglers as well. Additionally, Nature Iraq staff is augmented by hundreds of international and Iraqi consultants who work behind the scenes analyzing data collected from our ongoing Key Biodiversity Area surveys, and helping to build the capacity of our Iraqi employees by way of specialized training sessions and workshops.
Indeed, Nature Iraq is constantly organizing training and education programs for its staff, ministry employees, university students, and other NGOs. Recent educational programs have included GIS/Database application instruction, and workshops in plant and bird identification, scientific report writing, and computer applications for data management.
Inspired by a love of nature and desire to see Iraq secured of a healthy and socio-economically viable future, we at Nature Iraq work together under the current adverse conditions and at certain risk to our lives, determining and monitoring the current state of Iraq’s environment. As this information is analyzed, we compile and install various sustainable projects that we hope will ensure protection, restoration and preservation of Iraq’s natural environment and the rich cultural heritage it nourishes.