Sun Jan 19 06:59:04 UTC 2025: ## Moon Added to World Monuments Fund’s Endangered List for the First Time
**New York, NY** – In a historic move, the World Monuments Fund (WMF) has included the Moon on its 2025 Watch, a list of 25 heritage sites facing imminent threats. This marks the first time a location beyond Earth has received this designation. The inclusion reflects growing concerns over the impact of increasing lunar activity on the preservation of significant historical artifacts from humanity’s early space exploration.
Over 90 historical lunar sites are at risk, including Tranquility Base, the landing site of Apollo 11. Artifacts such as Neil Armstrong’s famous footprint, the television camera used to broadcast the moon landing, and a memorial disk left by the astronauts are vulnerable to damage from increased activity without adequate preservation protocols.
WMF President and CEO Benedicte de Montlaur stated that the Moon’s inclusion underscores the urgent need for proactive international cooperation to protect heritage sites, both on Earth and beyond. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding this legacy for future generations.
The 2025 Watch also highlights sites facing threats from conflict, climate change, and tourism. This year’s list includes locations damaged by the ongoing war in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Since its inception, the WMF has leveraged the visibility of its Watch list to attract over $420 million in funding for preservation projects worldwide. The announcement comes as SpaceX launched two private lunar landers, and NASA’s Artemis program prepares to return humans to the Moon, potentially establishing a permanent lunar base. The WMF’s designation raises crucial questions about balancing future space exploration with the protection of humanity’s historical achievements on the lunar surface.
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