Our Mission
Our mission is to conserve and restore iguanas and their habitats through strategic partnerships, science-based action, and community empowerment
As the world’s only organization solely dedicated to iguana conservation, we strive to conserve iguana populations by focusing on three impact areas.
1) Empowering Action
Our long-standing grants program equips our partners with the tools and resources they need to lead sustainable, science-based conservation initiatives. These on the ground efforts are reducing threats to iguanas and their habitats and restoring healthy populations in the wild.
2) Strengthening Networks
We are helping build a vibrant, collaborative community of dedicated experts. By sharing knowledge, fostering mentorship, and coordinating efforts, our strategic partnerships maximize the effectiveness of conservation at local, regional, and national levels.
3) Inspiring Stewardship
Through outreach, education, and advocacy, we raise awareness of the urgent challenges iguanas face and inspire people to care about their future. Together, we are safeguarding iguanas from extinction, nurturing local pride, and motivating communities to become champions for conservation.
Rebuilding declining iguana populations by raising young iguanas in headstart programs until they can hold their own against predators, and structuring wild reintroductions for long-term success.
Working in the field to conduct studies of iguana populations, ecology, behavior, reproduction, and resource needs to inform conservation and recovery programs.
Facilitating reforestation, native plant restoration, and invasive species removal, and working with communities and governments to set aside protected habitat to support iguana survival.
Investing in the future of iguana conservation by partnering with local communities to establish educational programs, fostering volunteer participation, and sharing stories, updates, and successes with the public.
Why Help Iguanas?
Iguanas are vital members of their ecosystems, keeping habitats healthy. They spread the seeds of a wide variety of plants—which have been shown to germinate better after they have gone through an iguana’s digestive system—feed on plants and help them maintain proper growth, and act as soil engineers in digging burrows and nests. Iguanas play a key role, and they need attention and protection!
When people think of iguanas, they often only think about Common Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana), which are plentiful. Most people are unaware that there are 46 different species of iguanas, all with their own interesting characteristics and behavior—and that most of these species are listed as threatened with extinction. Some iguanas have wild populations of only 200 individuals or less.
The threats that iguanas face are similar wherever they are found. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation reduces where they can live, sometimes to a very small area. Illegal collection and poaching are unfortunately still common. Iguanas are threatened by the negative effects of introduced and invasive species, as well as climate changes that can impact their reproduction.
And yet, they tend to be overlooked or forgotten in conservation efforts—or worse, dismissed as not needing protection at all. The International Iguana Foundation is dedicated specifically to iguanas, raising and providing the much-needed funds that can make a real difference in their conservation.
Working in concert with the IUCN SSC Iguana Specialist Group (ISG) and our partners, IIF provides critical support for initiatives in the ISG’s Conservation Action Plans and Species Recovery Plans, which target iguana species that are in serious danger of extinction and need protection to survive. These amazing animals have been around for a long time—and we want to ensure they are here long into the future.
