WWF came into existence on 29 April 1961, when a small group of passionate and committed individuals signed a declaration that came to be known as the Morges Manifesto.



This apparently simple act laid the foundations for one what has grown into the world's largest independent conservation organization.

50 years on, the black and white panda is a well known household symbol in many countries. And the organization itself is lucky enough to have won the backing of more than 5 million people throughout the world, and can count the actions taken by people in support of its efforts into the billions.



WWF in the 60's



One of the most important figures in WWF's early history was the renowned British biologist, Sir Julian Huxley. As the first Director General of UNESCO, Huxley had also helped found a scientific research-based conservation institution, now known as IUCN-The World Conservation Union.





WWF in the 70's


From the very beginning, WWF has been aware that people donate money to the organization because they want to give direct support to conservation.



WWF in the 80's



By the end of the 1970s, WWF had grown from a small organization that concentrated on problems such as endangered species and habitat destruction, into an international institution involved in all manner of conservation issues. Perhaps the most important of these was the need to integrate development with conservation.



WWF in the 90's



The 1990s began with the launch of a revised mission and strategy. The expanded mission reiterates WWF's commitment to nature conservation, and classifies the organization's work into three interdependent categories: the preservation of biological diversity, promoting the concept of sustainable use of resources, and reducing wasteful consumption and pollution. The 1990 strategy aims to decentralize WWF's decision-making, and to increase cooperation with local people.



WWF in the new millennium



To keep up with the evolving face of conservation and the environmental movement, WWF has not only grown in size and stature but it has also matured in its understanding of what has gone wrong and what is required to put things right.



WWF's focus has evolved from its localized efforts in favour of single species that characterized WWF in the 1960s, to new horizons encompassing national, regional and global scales of complexity.

Focus of work today

"Our objectives have never been clearer - slow climate change, reduce toxics in the environment, protect our oceans and fresh waters, stop deforestation, and save species," says Dr Claude Martin, former Director General of WWF International. "Our great achievement over the past 40 years is spreading the message - through us people know that nature counts."

Effective ways of working

For WWF the answer lies in campaigning and lobbying, as well as working in the field. We can work with subsistence farmers on their land or Presidents in palaces to help achieve our goal of living in harmony with nature.

The future

In the coming years WWF will continue to assume its role as a credible and influential global leader - influencing at the highest possible levels and at the same time staying firmly in contact with the realities on the ground. WWF is about "doing conservation", not simply talking about it!

If you want to add your voice to WWF's lobbying activities go to wwf.panda.org/actioncenter

Become part of the solution

Our supporters (nearly five million throughout the world) have already done so much in the past to help us fight for nature. Without them we would never have achieved so much. Will you join them? We need your help to succeed.

Additional Notes

Donate @wwf.panda.org/how_you_can_help/ Because If Everyone Pitches in, we can save countless panda lives.



-TheDarklords :)