WWF is an independent, international non-governmental organization founded in 1961, with an integrated approach to build a future where live in harmony with nature. They achieved this with the conservation of nature, which helped communities live sustainably. They forged partnerships with communities, politicians, and businesses in creating projects that are innovative, collaborative and based on scientific evidence. WWF is the world's largest conservation organization with over five million supporters worldwide, working in 100 countries in supporting projects initiated by the organization. It has been investing funds that reached up to $1 billion since 1995, to support more than 12,000 conservation initiatives. Fifty-five percent of its funding is derived from individual donations and bequests. The rest of the funds come from government sources and corporations. It is proud to declare that 84% of its total expenses go directly to program expenses, 11% of it goes to fundraising activities, and 5% of their money is spent on administration.
Its projects focus to improve six general areas including food, climate, freshwater, wildlife, forests, and oceans.
History
Back in 1961, the World Wildlife Fund is one of the first few organizations all over the world that extended efforts to conserve the environment, even with very small funding. Other organizations that have the same goals include the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Conservation Foundation.
WWF is formally established as 16 of the world's leading conservationists who signed the Morges Manifesto, giving WWF the right to be considered as an international fundraising organization, so that it can work with other existing conservation groups in raising substantial financial support for conservation projects, on a global scale.
In its first few years, it played a key role in funding natural reserve projects in Central America and Mexico. It also helped establish the Charles Darwin Foundation Research Station in the Galapagos Islands.
In the 1980s, it expanded its scope to Africa and Asia particularly, protecting primates and other wildlife in the form of campaigns combating illegal wildlife trade, research conducted in national parks, and efforts to stop poaching among other efforts.
Efforts to protect wildlife from illegal trade continued, as the organization expanded its network to at least 40 offices in the US, and around the world. These projects continued through partnerships with governments and other organizations, in the implementation of innovative ways to protect these animals.
Projects
WWF has concentrated its efforts on the implementation of the Global Programme Framework (GPF), particularly concentrating on 13 global initiatives such as Amazon, the Arctic, China for a Global Shift, Climate and Energy, Coastal East Africa, Coral Triangle, Forest and Climate, Green Heart of Africa, Heart of Borneo, Living Himalayas, Market Transformation, Smart Fishing and Tigers.
Some of its programs include the Carbon Offset Program, the Forest Stewardship Council, Education for Nature Program, a program to fight trophy hunting, Ecotourism, World Wildlife Digest, and Ecoregion Conservation. It also has programs fighting off guns and hunting and toxic chemicals.
Success Story
The organization is proud to have accomplished 10 projects in 2014. They have succeeded in protecting 150 hectares of rainforest in the Amazon. This was achieved with national and international funding, and with the support of the Brazilian government in stabilizing the Amazon, also known as 'the lungs of the earth' for absorbing most of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. The forest has also provided a haven to rich biodiversity, including endemic creatures that can only survive in the Amazon rainforest.
The Amazon is two-thirds of the size of the US, and protecting such vast lands has been a big challenge for WWF. But the organization carried on its fight to preserve the rainforest for 40 years, by engaging local communities and partnerships with the government. The organization hoped to come up with solutions that strike a balance between environmental conservation and economic development.
The WWF specifically works with the Soy Roundtable, and gives advice to the organization regarding sustainable practices and minimizing impacts of the industry on the forests. It also works with the beef industry influencing the decision to create efficiency and reduce waste. It also provides scientific support and data in finding good dam locations for hydropower. They have programs to combat illegal and unsustainable logging that could disrupt local communities and the forest's health.
WWF also believes that communities can benefit from forest resources without destroying the forest entirely. With this, the organization promotes sustainable forest projects, as well as involving indigenous communities to earn sustainably.
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