Exploring the World Monuments Fund’s Threatened Sites: Why the Moon Is on the List

The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has announced its 2025 Watch list, showcasing 25 sites, including historical landmarks in Gaza and even the Moon—this is the first time a site in outer space has been included. This list, revealed on January 15, covers cultural heritage across 29 countries and one celestial object.

Among the notable entries is Qhapaq Ñan, an ancient Andean road system. It traverses several countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. This historic route faces challenges from environmental changes and development pressures.

The WMF has been making these lists since 1996. The latest edition uses data from over 200 nominations to pinpoint current preservation issues. Bénédicte de Montlaur, WMF’s president, emphasized the importance of understanding these challenges. She noted that insufficient funding is a common issue reported by nominators, highlighting the need for awareness and resources to protect our heritage.

Regional concerns also emerged from the data. For example, 60% of nominated sites in the Middle East and North Africa are affected by conflict, while 81% of those in Sub-Saharan Africa cite climate change as a threat. Montlaur pointed out that climate change is especially pressing in Sub-Saharan Africa, where impacts like rising sea levels and storm surges are prevalent, as seen in the inclusion of the Swahili Coast on the list.

The Watch list also draws attention to sites suffering from recent disasters. For instance, the Kyiv Teacher’s House in Ukraine has been significantly damaged by conflict, while Antakya in Turkey is recovering from earthquakes that struck in February 2023. Historical sites in Japan’s Noto Peninsula are facing similar challenges after an earthquake in January 2024.

Some locations, like the Maijishan and Yungang grottos in China, are facing overwhelming tourist numbers that their infrastructure can’t support. Other sites, such as the 450-year-old water system in Bhuj, India, have fallen out of use but hold potential for revitalization, especially as the country faces a growing water crisis.

One surprising addition is the Moon, focusing primarily on the Apollo 11 landing site. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s footprints remain there, alongside their scientific tools. WMF is advocating for a framework to protect these historic locations, especially as commercial lunar landings may lead to looting or damage.

“We need international protection for these sites as space exploration grows,” Montlaur urges. “Preserving lunar heritage is essential to prevent harm from escalating activities in space.”

Another goal of the World Monuments Watch is to shine a light on lesser-known sites that lack global recognition. For instance, the ancient Orthodox monasteries in Albania could thrive through sustainable tourism. The Great Trading Path in the US, an Indigenous trail between Virginia and North Carolina, also needs more visibility to support its preservation.

“Listing on the Watch is just the start,” Montlaur added. “We collaborate with partners to tackle the identified challenges and secure funding for these sites. Already, we’ve raised $2 million for 2025 projects and will keep fundraising to meet the needs of nominated sites.”