World Wide Fund for Nature facts for kids
Logo used since 2000
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| Formation | 29 April 1961 |
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| Founders |
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| Type | International NGO |
| Purpose |
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| Headquarters | Rue Mauverney 28 Gland, Vaud, Switzerland |
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Region
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Worldwide |
| Methods |
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President
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Adil Najam |
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Director General
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Kirsten Schuijt |
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Revenue
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 US$433 million (2022) |
| Website | (US) |
| ^ a: Also the WWF's first president. |
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The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a global organization based in Switzerland. It was started in 1961. Its main goal is to protect nature and reduce the harm humans do to the environment. In Canada and the United States, it is still officially called the World Wildlife Fund.
WWF is the biggest conservation group in the world. It has over five million supporters. It works in more than 100 countries. It helps with about 3,000 projects to protect nature and the environment. Since 1995, WWF has spent over $1 billion on more than 12,000 conservation efforts. Most of its money (65%) comes from individuals and gifts. Some money (17%) comes from governments. A smaller part (8%) comes from companies.
WWF wants to "stop the damage to the planet's natural environment." It also wants to "build a future where humans live in peace with nature." Every two years since 1998, WWF publishes the Living Planet Report. This report shows how healthy our planet is. It also looks at how much of Earth's resources humans use. WWF has also started big campaigns like Earth Hour. Its current work focuses on six key areas: food, climate, freshwater, wildlife, forests, and oceans.
WWF has faced some challenges. Some people have criticized its connections with big companies. There have also been concerns about conservation efforts that caused problems for local people.
Contents
History of WWF
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The idea for a fund to help endangered animals came from Victor Stolan. He suggested it to Sir Julian Huxley. This happened after Huxley wrote articles in The Observer newspaper. Huxley then connected Stolan with Edward Max Nicholson. Nicholson had experience bringing together smart thinkers and big businesses.
Nicholson came up with the name "World Wildlife Fund." The famous panda logo was designed by Sir Peter Scott. WWF officially started on April 29, 1961. Its first office opened on September 11 in Morges, Switzerland. This was at the headquarters of the IUCN.
WWF was created to raise money internationally. This money would support other groups already working to protect nature. The start of WWF was marked by signing the Morges Manifesto. This document explained WWF's promise to help groups saving the world's wildlife.
The manifesto said these groups needed money for many things. For example, to buy land where wildlife was in danger. Also, to pay people who guard wildlife areas. Money was also needed for education. It would help people understand why they should care and help. Funds would also send experts to dangerous places. They would train local helpers in Africa and other areas.
Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld helped start WWF. He became its first president in 1961. In 1963, WWF held a meeting. They published an important report. This report warned about human-caused global warming.
In 1970, Prince Bernhard and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh created a special fund. It was called The 1001: A Nature Trust. This fund helped manage WWF's money and fundraising. Each of the 1001 members gave $10,000 to the trust.
Leaders of WWF
| Years | Name | Country |
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| 1961–1976 | Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld |  Netherlands |
| 1976–1981 | John Hugo Loudon | Netherlands |
| 1981–1996 | Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh |  United Kingdom |
| 1996–1999 | Syed Babar Ali |  Pakistan |
| 2000 | Ruud Lubbers | Netherlands |
| 2000–2001 | Sara Morrison | United Kingdom |
| 2001–2010 | Chief Emeka Anyaoku |  Nigeria |
| 2010–2017 | Yolanda Kakabadse |  Ecuador |
| 2018–2022 | Pavan Sukhdev |  India |
| 2023–present | Adil Najam | Pakistan |
Recent Developments
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WWF has opened offices and started projects all over the world. At first, it mainly raised money. Then it gave this money to other groups working to protect endangered species. As WWF got more money, it started working on other things. These included protecting biological diversity, using natural resources wisely, reducing pollution, and fighting climate change. The organization also began to run its own projects and campaigns.
In 1986, the organization changed its name to World Wide Fund for Nature. It kept the WWF initials. However, in the United States and Canada, it continued to use the original name.
The year 1986 was WWF's 25th anniversary. To celebrate, a meeting was held in Assisi, Italy. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, invited religious leaders. These leaders represented Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. They created the Assisi Declarations. These statements showed the spiritual connection between their followers and nature. This led to more involvement of religions in conservation worldwide.
In the 1990s, WWF updated its mission. It wanted to:
- Stop the damage to the planet's natural environment.
- Build a future where humans live in harmony with nature.
- Protect the world's many different kinds of life (biological diversity).
- Make sure renewable natural resources are used in a way that can last.
- Encourage less pollution and less wasteful use of things.
WWF researchers found 238 important ecoregions. These are areas with the most amazing plant and animal life. They include land, freshwater, and marine habitats. In the early 2000s, WWF focused on some of these ecoregions. Their work included protecting forests, freshwater, and ocean habitats. They also worked on saving endangered species, fighting climate change, and removing harmful chemicals.
Sir Peter Scott once said, "We shan't save all we should like to, but we shall save a great deal more than if we had never tried."
In 2023, Professor Adil Najam became the President of WWF International. He is a climate scientist from Pakistan. His appointment shows how important climate change and human well-being are to WWF.
Conservation Efforts
In 1947, the Conservation Foundation started in New York City. It was founded by Fairfield Osborn. This group helped fund scientific research on global conservation. It did not get involved in politics. In 1985, it joined with WWF. By 1990, it fully became part of WWF.
Conservation Foundation in the United States
The group now known as the Conservation Foundation in the United States used to be the Forest Foundation of DuPage County. In 1996, this group gained special status from UNESCO.
The Panda Symbol
WWF's giant panda logo came from a panda named Chi Chi. She was moved from Beijing Zoo to London Zoo in 1958. This was three years before WWF began. Chi Chi was famous because she was the only panda in the Western world at that time. Her unique look and her status as an endangered species made her perfect. WWF needed a strong symbol that everyone could recognize, no matter what language they spoke. The organization also needed an animal that would look good in black and white printing.
The logo was designed by Sir Peter Scott. He used early drawings by Gerald Watterson, a Scottish naturalist. The logo was made a bit simpler in 1978. In 1986, when the organization changed its name, the logo was made even more simple. The new version had solid black shapes for the eyes. In 2000, the font used for the "WWF" initials in the logo was changed.
How WWF Works
Making Policies
WWF's policies are decided by board members. These members are chosen for three-year terms. An Executive Team helps guide WWF's plans. There is also a National Council that advises the board. A team of scientists and experts does research for WWF.
Laws and rules play a big part in how natural places and resources are managed. So, working with laws and regulations is a top priority for WWF globally.
WWF has spoken out against getting oil from the Canadian tar sands. They have run campaigns about this. Between 2008 and 2010, WWF worked with The Co-operative Group in the UK. They published reports that said:
- Getting all the oil from Canadian tar sands could cause "runaway climate change."
- Technology to capture carbon cannot reduce carbon dioxide as much as other oil methods.
- The money spent on tar sands could be better used for renewable energy research.
- More tar sands mining is a serious threat to caribou in Alberta.
The organization works to convince governments to create and follow policies. These policies help protect biodiversity and natural resources. WWF also makes sure governments keep their promises to international agreements about nature protection.
In 2012, David Nussbaum, head of WWF-UK, spoke against using shale gas in the UK. He said the government should focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Working Together
WWF works on many global problems that cause nature loss. These include saving species, business practices, laws, and what people choose to buy. Local offices also work on issues in their own countries or regions.
WWF works with many different groups to reach its goals. These include other non-profit groups, governments, businesses, banks, scientists, fishermen, farmers, and local communities. It also runs public campaigns to influence decision-makers. WWF tries to teach people how to live in a more eco-friendly way. It asks people to donate money to protect the environment. Donors can sometimes get gifts in return.
In October 2020, WWF became a partner for Prince William's Earthshot Prize. This prize looks for solutions to environmental problems. In March 2021, WWF announced it would continue its partnership with H&M. This partnership aims to make supply chains more sustainable.
Key Programs and Campaigns
Campaigns
- Debt-for-Nature Swap
- Earth Hour
- Healthy Grown
- Marine Stewardship Council
Publications
WWF publishes the Living Planet Index with the Zoological Society of London. This index, along with how much of Earth's resources we use, helps create the Living Planet Report. This report comes out every two years. It shows how human actions affect the world. In 2019, WWF and Knorr published the Future 50 Foods report. This report listed "50 Foods for Healthier People and a Healthier Planet." In 2018, WWF, TRAFFIC, and IFAW started the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online. This group works with 21 tech companies.
WWF also regularly publishes reports and fact sheets. These documents raise awareness and give information to leaders.
Promotions
- No One's Gonna Change Our World was a music album released in 1969. It was made to help WWF.
- Peter Rose and Anne Conlon write music for theatre. They are known for their environmental musicals for children. WWF-UK asked them to write several musicals for an education plan. Some were narrated by David Attenborough. They were shown on TV in many countries.
- The British pop group S Club 7 were ambassadors for WWF-UK from 1999 to 2003. Each member sponsored an endangered animal. In 2000, they traveled to the places where their chosen animals lived. This was for a seven-part BBC show called S Club 7 Go Wild.
- Environmentally Sound: A Select Anthology of Songs Inspired by the Earth was a benefit album released in 2006. It helped WWF-Philippines.
- In June 2012, WWF launched an online music download store with fairsharemusic. 50% of the money made goes to the charity.
- In April 2015, Hailey Gardiner released her solo music. For Earth Day, 15% of the money from her EP went to WWF.
Environmental Education
From 1997 to 2007, WWF's China office ran a program for environmental educators. It trained thousands of teachers. It also set up training centers at universities for teachers. This program helped shape the Ministry of Education's 2003 guidelines for environmental education in public schools.
Regional Organizations
WWF-Australia
The Australian part of WWF started on June 29, 1978. It began in an old factory in Sydney. It had three staff members. Its first year's budget was about A$80,000. This included a A$50,000 grant from the Australian Government. It also got A$20,500 from company donations. As of 2020, WWF-Australia is the country's largest conservation group. It runs projects across Australia and the wider Oceania region. Between 2015 and 2019, WWF-Australia earned about $28.74 million each year. In 2020, its total earnings were over $80 million. This was due to global and local support after the Australian bushfires.
In 1990, WWF-Australia created the Threatened Species Network (TSN) with the government. It worked until 2009. In 1999, it helped create the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. This was one of the most complete laws for protecting biodiversity at the time. In 2003/4, the group helped the government increase protection for the Great Barrier Reef and the Ningaloo Reef. Since then, it has managed many conservation programs. One example is bringing black-flanked rock-wallabies back to Kalbarri National Park in Western Australia.
Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina
In Argentina, WWF is represented by Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina. This is an independent group that is also part of the WWF network.
Images for kids
See Also
In Spanish: Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza para niños
- Centres of Plant Diversity
- Conservation movement
- Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund
- Environmental movement
- Eugene Green Energy Standard, founded by the WWF.
- Global 200, ecoregions identified by the WWF as priorities for conservation
- List of environmental organizations
- Natural environment
- Sustainability
- Sustainable development
- Traffic (conservation programme), a joint programme of WWF and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- West Coast Environmental Law
- World Conservation Award, created in conjunction with the WWF
