60 years of action for people and nature

WWF was founded in 1961, in Switzerland, by a group of passionate and committed individuals who sought to secure the funding necessary to protect places and species that were threatened by human development.

In its first decade, WWF raised over US$5.6 million – an enormous sum in the 1960s. Based on the best available science, this money was distributed as grants to support 356 conservation-related projects around the world – from wildlife surveys to anti-poaching efforts and education initiatives. Many of the animals and habitats supported by these early grants went on to become iconic conservation symbols, and continue to be a focus of WWF’s work.

Started by WWF and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour is now one of the world's largest grassroots movements for the environment. Held every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages millions of people in more than 190 countries and territories, switching off their lights to show support for our planet. But Earth Hour goes far beyond the symbolic action of switching off – it has become a catalyst for positive environmental impact, driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the people and collective action. Earth Hour is open-source and we welcome anyone who wants to take part and help amplify our mission to unite people to protect our planet.

All these national parks exist and we helped create them all! But the largest is the Serranía del Chiribiquete National Park in the Colombian Amazon, covering over 4.3 million hectares.

Together, we protected 295 rivers and basins in Mexico. But many other rivers, so vital for people and wildlife, are in trouble around the world.

TRAFFIC works globally on the trade in wildlife and plants, helping to tackle biodiversity conservation and sustainable development challenges.

The first Living Planet Report was actually published for the first time back in 1998.
The report, which is produced every two years, continues to provide a world-leading analysis of biodiversity health and humanity’s pressure on nature.

Over 50% of Belize's population - about 190,000 people - are supported by incomes generated through reef-related tourism and fisheries.
Unfortunately, coral reefs around the world remain vulnerable to rising sea temperatures, pollution and coastal development.

In December 2015, 196 nations adopted the Paris Agreement although urgent efforts continue to ensure world leaders turn promises into action.

A wide variety of wildlife, valued at up to US$23 billion a year, is still being illegally traded. Our efforts continue with individuals, communities and governments around the world to tackle this.