Everything You Need to Know About the World Wildlife Fund

Environmental news today paints a bleak picture. Air pollution endangers the lives of flora, fauna, and humans globally. Over the past 30 years, wildfires have consumed millions of acres of forests, resulting in significant loss of life and financial damage. Experts predict that by 2025, nearly two-thirds of the global population could face water scarcity. Additionally, habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, overhunting, and economic expansion continue to devastate wildlife populations at an alarming rate.

Is anyone taking steps to tackle these challenges and prevent a global catastrophe? Learn about the reasons, locations, and methods behind WWF, also known as "The Conservation Organization," and its efforts to protect the Earth's natural resources from depletion, damage, and misuse.

Explore ways you can contribute to making a positive impact on the planet.

WWF Background

The World Wildlife Fund for Nature (referred to as WWF) is dedicated to protecting nature and ecological systems. Its goal is "to halt the decline of the Earth's natural environment and create a future where humans coexist peacefully with nature." WWF achieves this through policy initiatives, advocacy, community-driven efforts, education, and capacity-building programs, focusing on:

• preserving global biodiversity
• ensuring sustainable use of renewable natural resources
• advocating for reduced pollution and minimizing wasteful consumption

The Origins of WWF

WWF was founded following a 1960 expedition by the eminent British biologist and inaugural Director-General of UNESCO, Sir Julian Huxley, who traveled to East Africa to assess wildlife conservation efforts. Disturbed by his findings, Huxley cautioned that much of the region's wildlife could vanish within two decades.

• Why would there be no more fish in 40 years?
• Are frogs on the brink of extinction?
• How Polar Bears Work

In reaction to his warning, a group of dedicated professionals convened early the following year to form an organization dedicated to conservation. They chose Switzerland as the base for their operations.

Around the same time, a panda named Chi-Chi became a major attraction at the London Zoo. The group agreed that a panda would serve as an excellent emblem for their new organization.

Thus, in September 1961, the World Wildlife Fund was officially established. Within its initial three years, WWF successfully raised and allocated nearly $1.9 million to various conservation initiatives. Early funding was directed to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the International Council for Bird Preservation (now Birdlife International), the International Waterfowl Research Bureau, and the International Youth Federation for the Study and Conservation of Nature. Significant contributions were also made to the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galápagos Islands and Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Nature Facts

• Up to 20 percent of the world's species may vanish within the next three decades.
• Over half of the Earth's original forest cover has been lost due to excessive logging, fuel extraction, agricultural expansion, and other human demands.
• 1998 marked the hottest year on record, with all 10 of the warmest years in the past 120 years occurring after 1981.
• Approximately 60,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises die annually due to entanglement in fishing gear.
• Over 75,000 chemicals have been developed and released into the environment in the last half-century.

WWF Today

Today, WWF International comprises 24 affiliates, along with five organizations that collaborate with WWF under different names. Additionally, WWF maintains primary offices and partnerships in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Notable offices include the WWF branch in Brussels, which focuses on the policies and initiatives of the European Union (EU), and the Washington, D.C. office, which aims to shape the policies of global institutions involved in international economic matters.

After two decades of growth, WWF relocated its headquarters from Morges to Gland, Switzerland, in 1979, thanks to an anonymous contribution. In 1986, the organization officially changed its name to "World Wildlife Fund For Nature," although the U.S. and Canada retained the original "World Wildlife Fund." In 2001, WWF successfully defended its initials in a legal dispute against the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment).

How WWF is Structured

The creators of WWF established National Appeals, now called National Organizations. These are independent legal entities overseen by their own boards and accountable to their donors. They allocate up to two-thirds of the funds they raise to the international secretariat (WWF International) and retain the rest to support conservation projects of their choice. WWF International is responsible to the National Organizations, donors, and Swiss regulatory authorities.

• Offices capable of independently raising funds and executing projects
• Offices that operate under the guidance of an independent WWF office

All offices engage in local conservation efforts, including practical field initiatives, scientific research, advising governments on environmental policies, promoting environmental education, and raising awareness about ecological issues.

To sustain its operations, in 1970, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, President of WWF International and known as the "Flying Prince of Conservation," established "The 1001: A Nature Trust." This fund saw 1,001 individuals each contribute $10,000, totaling over $10 million. The interest from this trust helps cover WWF International's administrative expenses. Since 1983, WWF has partnered with postal authorities in over 200 countries to feature endangered species on postage stamps, raising more than $13 million. Individual contributions remain the largest funding source, accounting for about half of WWF's annual income. Governments and aid agencies provide 20 percent, trusts and legacies contribute 16 percent, and the remaining 17 percent comes from corporate donations, merchandise royalties, and other sources.

What WWF Does

Over its 40-year history, WWF has played a pivotal role in advancing the global conservation movement and promoting sustainable development. Below are some notable achievements of WWF:

• Project Tiger Directorate
• WWF Endangered Species Programme: Tigers
• Sanctuary Asia: Project Tiger
• Wildlife Tours India
• World Wildlife Fund: Tigers

• WWF Working Locally on the Ground for Forest Conservation
• World Wildlife Fund: Global Forest Program
• RainforestWeb.org

The Seas Must Live - In 1976, WWF established marine sanctuaries to protect whales, dolphins, seals, and marine turtle nesting sites. Today, WWF is actively working worldwide to conserve oceans and marine life by fostering political commitment to end overfishing, minimizing harmful fishing practices, restoring depleted fisheries, and enhancing resource management. For further details on this critical issue, click here:

• WWF Saving Our Seas in Asia-Pacific
• World Wildlife Fund's Ocean Rescue

Save the Rhino - Initiated in 1979, WWF raised over $1 million to fight rhino poaching. Thanks to WWF's efforts, rhino populations have significantly increased: from 400 in 1966 to 1,300 in 1995 in Kaziranga National Park, India; from 60 in the late 1960s to 600 today in Chitwan Park, Nepal; and from 20 at the start of the last century to nearly 8,000 in southern Africa. For more on rhinos, visit:

• WWF Endangered Species Programme: Rhinos
• World Wildlife Fund: Saving Rhinos in the Wild

World Conservation Strategy - In 1980, WWF released a comprehensive set of strategies advocating for a holistic approach to conservation and emphasizing sustainable use of natural resources. The strategy outlined three primary conservation goals: maintaining essential ecological processes and life support systems, preserving genetic diversity, and ensuring sustainable use of species and ecosystems. Since its introduction, 50 countries have developed and implemented their own conservation plans based on WWF's guidelines. Click here to learn how you can access WWF's strategy series.

The Ivory Trade and Other Efforts

In 1990, WWF played a key role in establishing an international ban on the ivory trade.

In 1992, WWF joined efforts to encourage governments to sign agreements on biodiversity and climate change at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro.

Currently, WWF directs its efforts toward six critical global issues, categorized into three areas:

• Three Biomes - WWF is dedicated to preserving forests, freshwater ecosystems, and oceans and coasts, which host the majority of the planet's biodiversity and provide essential environmental services that sustain all life.
• The Question of Species - WWF has identified several flagship species whose protection is a top priority.
• Two Global Threats - WWF is tackling the impacts of toxic chemical pollution and the challenges posed by climate change.

For each of the six global issues, WWF has developed a "Target Driven Programme" (TDP), which outlines the necessary actions WWF must take to fulfill its mission. TDPs propose strategies such as forming partnerships, engaging in political advocacy, and launching public awareness campaigns.

Additionally, WWF has identified a set of priority ecoregions called the Global 200 Ecoregions, representing the most ecologically significant and often fragile areas worldwide due to their rich biodiversity and critical ecological processes. WWF focuses its conservation efforts on a select group of these ecoregions and urges others to take responsibility for protecting the remaining areas.

How You Can Make a Difference

While it may seem overwhelming, there are numerous ways you can contribute to preserving our natural resources if you're motivated. Below are some ideas to help you begin.

Educate yourself about the issues. Understanding the challenges our planet faces and how you can address them will likely motivate you to take action and inspire others to do the same. Explore the WWF website for detailed information on these issues, as well as the websites of other organizations working on environmental conservation (see the next page for suggestions).

Get involved. Contribute your time or skills by working or volunteering with WWF or similar organizations. If you're unable to volunteer, consider donating to a group you believe is making a significant impact. At home or work, adopt eco-friendly habits like turning off lights, practicing recycling, and opting for safer household chemicals.

Take action. Don't delay—reach out to your local representative or governor and advocate for the protection of natural resources in your area or support policies focused on conservation. (Visit Congress.org to find contact details for U.S. elected officials.) Alternatively, express your concerns by writing to the board of a company whose environmental practices you oppose.