World Monuments Fund raises alarms over lunar preservation

The Moon has been designated an endangered heritage site for the first time in history. The World Monuments Fund (WMF), known for spotlighting at-risk cultural landmarks on Earth, has expanded its purview to include humanity’s celestial neighbor in its 2025 Watch List. This marks a bold step toward preserving the legacy of space exploration amid accelerating lunar activities.

Why is the Moon under threat?

Bénédicte de Montlaur, the president and CEO of WMF, explained the decision, stating the Moon’s inclusion reflects “mounting risks amidst accelerating lunar activities” with no preservation measures in place. In an interview with The Art Newspaper, she described this as “a defining moment in our shared history,” emphasizing the need to protect artifacts representing humanity’s first ventures into space.

“For the first time, the Moon is included… to reflect the urgent need to recognize and preserve the artifacts that testify to humanity’s first steps beyond Earth,” de Montlaur said.

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These artifacts include the footprints left by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission, the camera used to document the moon landing, and the memorial disc left behind by the astronauts. De Montlaur stressed the importance of safeguarding these objects from damage caused by private and governmental space activities.

Lunar activities and concerns for heritage

The announcement comes amidst increasing lunar missions, such as SpaceX’s launch of two lunar landers this week, and the anticipated rise of private lunar tourism following NASA’s Artemis III mission in 2027.

Experts worry that these activities could jeopardize significant lunar landmarks. De Montlaur highlighted the risk, stating, “Safeguarding lunar heritage will prevent damage from accelerating private and governmental activities in space, ensuring these artifacts endure for future generations.”

A broader call for preservation

The Moon is among 30 cultural and historical sites listed in WMF’s 2025 Watch List, which includes the Barotse Floodplain Cultural Landscape in Zambia, the Belfast Assembly Rooms in the UK, and the Gaza Historic Urban Fabric in Palestine. The list underscores the urgent need for collective action to protect global heritage on Earth and beyond.

The 2025 Watch List highlights

• Barotse Floodplain Cultural Landscape, Zambia
• Belfast Assembly Rooms, Northern Ireland, UK
• Bhuj Historic Water Systems, India
• Gaza Historic Urban Fabric, Palestine
• Historic Lighthouses of Maine, US
• Terracotta Sculptures of Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal
• The Moon

The inclusion of the Moon serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile nature of human achievements and the responsibility to preserve them. As space exploration expands, the call for ethical and sustainable practices in safeguarding our shared history grows louder.