The organization said that more than 90 important sites on the moon could risk destruction if space tourism is left unregulated.

Every two years, the nonprofit World Monuments Fund releases a list of cultural heritage sites it deems most at risk of disappearing because of threats like war or climate change. The line-up of landmarks usually includes historic temples,

While the moon's nomination concentrated on the Apollo 11 landing site, WMF is considering the wider framework needed to protect historic sites connected with space exploration Green Grasshopper via Unsplash The World Monuments Fund’s (WMF) 2025 Watch list includes 25 sites,

Join the WMF's 2025 Watch to protect 25 endangered heritage sites worldwide, from the Moon to urban landscapes facing climate change.

Montlaur  stated that the moon was included among the 25 sites because of “mounting risks amidst accelerating lunar activities”, which, in the WMF’s view, are “undertaken without adequate preservation protocols”.

Key artefacts include the pristine footprint left by Buzz Aldrin at Tranquility Base, the site of the first moon landing in 1969, and a plaque commemorating 14 American and Soviet astronauts who died on missions before 1971.

The World Monuments Fund list seeks to raise awareness and funds to help preserve the sites it spotlights. Africa's Swahili Coast, Maine's lighthouses and Buddhist grottoes in China are also in peril.

The World Monuments Fund has recently made a surprising addition to its annual list of endangered sites: the Moon.

The Moon is one of 25 sites to be concerned about this year, according to a leading cultural heritage watchdog organization. That organization is the World Monuments Fund, which today announced the 25 sites on its annual World Monuments Watch.

PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter.