WWF (conservation organization)

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For other meanings of WWF, see WWF.

Image:WWF-logo.gifWWF, the global environment conservation organization, was constituted and registered in 1961 pursuant to Sections 80 et seq. of the Swiss Civil Code and exists under the names:

WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund)Template:Fact
WNF – Wêreld Natuur Fonds
WWF – Fonds Mondial pour la Nature
WWF – Welt Natur Fonds
WWF – Fondo Mondiale per la Natura
WWF – Fundo Mundial para a Natureza
WWF – Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza

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.

Currently WWF works on the conservation of the three biomes of Forests, Freshwater Ecosystems, and Oceans and Coasts. These conservation works contain the bulk of the world's biodiversity, and provide the environmental goods and services upon which all life ultimately depends.

WWF promotes 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 given year.

1 Presidents
2 International directors
3 World Wrestling Federation (WWE)
4 See also
5 External links

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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

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International directors

WWF Services

James P Leape – Director General
Paul Steele – Chief Operating Officer
Thomas Schultz-Jagow – Communications
Dr Timothy Geer – Government & Aid Agency Coordination
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 Meg Symington – Latin America/Caribbean

Policy

Gordon Shepherd – International Policy

Global Issues

Jennifer Morgan – Climate Change Programme
Duncan Pollard – Forests for Life Programme
Jamie Pittock – Freshwater Programme
Dr Simon Cripps – Oceans & Coasts Programme
Dr Sue Lieberman – Species Programme

Legal Advisor

Michael R. Rogers, Barrister

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World Wrestling Federation (WWE)

In the year 2000 the WWF filed a lawsuit against the World Wrestling Federation (also then known as WWF). The lawsuit dealt with an agreement signed by the wrestling company on 20 January 1994 not to use the initials WWF in their videos. They subsequently broke this agreement and were ordered by a UK Court to comply with it. Rather than attempt a financial settlement with the Fund, Vince McMahon changed the name of the company to World Wrestling Entertainment.

The wrestling company logo was altered, and a promotional campaign called "Get The F Out" was used to publicize this change. Also, all verbal and visual references to the "WWF" initials and the previous WWF scratch logo were and continue to be edited out of re-releases of old broadcasts, as well as their magazine publications.

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