The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has, for the first time, included the Moon in its list of cultural heritage sites at risk.
This decision stems from growing space activity that threatens the preservation of historical sites on Earth’s satellite, according to WMF President Benedict de Montlaur.
The main concern arises from plans for regular lunar missions, including NASA’s “Artemis III,” scheduled for 2027. This mission will mark the first human landing on the Moon since 1972, with two astronauts set to touch down.
WMF fears that space activities could damage over 90 historical sites, such as the footprints of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, as well as the Apollo 11 landing site. The inclusion of the Moon in the list highlights the importance of preserving artifacts that symbolize humanity’s first steps into space.
The WMF’s 2025 list also features Albanian monasteries, Chinese Buddhist grottoes, American lighthouses, and other significant landmarks.
