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WWF, the global conservation organization was originally known as World Wildlife Fund. In 1986, it changed its name to World Wide Fund For Nature (except in the US and Canada) to better represent the spread of its work. It was founded on September 11, 1961 by, among others, the biologist Sir Julian Huxley, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, Max Nicholson and the naturalist and painter Sir Peter Scott who designed the original black and white panda logo. It is one of the world's largest environmental organizations, with a network of offices in nearly 60 countries and a secretariat in Gland, Switzerland.
Probably the most famous name associated with WWF is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke was the first President of WWF-UK from its foundation in 1961 to 1982, International President of WWF (1981-1996), and is now President Emeritus.
WWF is dedicated to stopping the degradation of the planet's natural environment and building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:
- conserving the world's biological diversity
- ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
- promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
WWF has a factual, science-based approach to conservation, which focuses on six priority issues of global concern: forests, oceans and coasts, fresh water, endangered species, and the insidious threats of toxic chemicals and climate change. For each of these issues, WWF has developed measurable targets and runs more than 1,200 field projects around the world in any year.
Presidents
- 1962-1976: HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands
- 1976-1981: John H. Loudon
- 1981-1996: HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
- 1996-1999: Syed Babar Ali
- 2000-2000: Ruud Lubbers
- 2000-2001: The Hon. Mrs Sara Morrison
- 2001-present: HE Chief Emeka Anyaoku
International directors
- WWF Services
- Dr Claude Martin - Director General
- Paul Steele - Chief Operating Officer
- Dorothy Bray - Human Resources Development
- Thomas Schultz-Jagow - Communications
- Dr Timothy Geer- Government & Aid Agency Coordination
- Mario Fetz - Fundraising & Marketing
- Chiew Chong - Finance & Administration
- International Conservation Programme
- Dr Chris Hails - Programme Director
- Dr Sheila O'Connor - Programme Audits
- Regional Programmes
- Dr Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu - Africa/Madagascar
- Dr Isabelle Louis - Asia/Pacific
- Dr Magnus Sylvén - Europe/Middle East
- Dr Georg Schwede - Eastern Europe/Central Asia
- Dr Guillermo Castilleja - Latin America/Caribbean
- Policy
- Gordon Shepherd - International Policy
- Global Issues
- Jennifer Morgan - Climate Change Programme
- Dr Chris Elliott - Forests for Life Programme
- Jamie Pittock - Freshwater Programme
- Dr Simon Cripps - Oceans & Coasts Programme
- Dr Sue Lieberman - Species Programme
- Clif Curtis - Toxics Programme
- Legal Advisor
- Michael R. Rogers, Barrister
See also: Global 200 (200 ecoregions defined by WWF as the most critical regions for conservation), ecoregion