WWF organizes the first Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Our long-term vision is simple: to create a world where people and nature … READ MORE WWF helps create the first national park in Bhutan by transforming the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in 1986. The decision was made to establish World Wildlife Fund as an international fundraising organization to work in collaboration with existing conservation groups and bring substantial financial support to the conservation movement on a worldwide scale. In North America it is called the World Wildlife Fund. WWF begins awarding the annual $50,000 Getty Prize for outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation in 1974. Working with six African governments, science-based priorities are defined for protecting species and habitats in the region. In conjunction with a continent-wide effort to save the American bison, this iconic species is reintroduced to the land after an absence of 120 years. Climate. Inspired by a series of articles in a UK newspaper written by Sir Julian Huxley about the destruction of habitat and wildlife in East Africa, businessman Victor Stolan pointed out the urgent need for an international organization to raise funds for conservation. In a pledge developed through the WWF-World Bank Alliance, the president of Brazil in 1998 commits to provide legal protection for 10 percent of the Brazilian rain forest, an area greater than all of the national parks in the contiguous United States combined. Posted on 15 December 2015. The government of Nepal has doubled the size of Royal Bardia National Park to nearly 450,000 acres in 2001, and hundreds of thousands of tree seedlings have been planted in two priority restoration corridors. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. WWF supports the American Prairie Foundation’s acquisition of 31,320 acres of land in Montana for wildlife restoration. WWF in 1994 initiates and leads the effort of mainstream environmental groups to secure congressional approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the first trade convention to address the environment. Several Canadian oil companies donate 320,000 acres of exploration rights off Canada's Pacific Coast to establish a new marine preserve for orcas, sea otters, starfish and hundreds of other marine species in 1997. In partnership with the Frankfurt Ecological Society, WWF in 1987 undertakes a comprehensive ecological study of Serengeti National Park, providing essential information about wildlife population dynamics and habitat. In its first year, the Board approves five projects totaling $33,500. WWF also finances Ambassador Philip K. Crowe's 1961 mission to Central America and Mexico, during which the ambassador meets with government officials to build support for conservation. The following year the World Wildlife Fund was founded; the international name was subsequently changed to World Wide Fund for Nature in 1989, although in the United… Omissions? Bernhard helped found the World Wildlife Fund (later renamed World Wide Fund for Nature ), becoming its first president in 1961. Natural habitats are being put under increasing pressure. WWF Calls for Global Support to Establish a AUD$30 million Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund. World Wildlife Fund, Inc. (WWF)—the U.S. appeal—became the second national organization to be formed in 1961. Extensive mangroves and primeval Atlantic forest in the area shelter the endemic Chau parrot, among other wildlife. According to Max Nicholson, the mastermind behind the charity (then called the World Wildlife Fund… Namibia in 1998 establishes the Communal Area Conservancies Program, designating four communally-run nature conservancies covering 4.2 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. In the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, WWF develops Green Reconstruction Policy Guidelines in 2005 to be used by the American Red Cross as a blueprint for reconstruction efforts. In April, WWF and the Global Tiger Forum announce that the number of wild tigers has increased for the first time in more than 100 years. In 1961, 16 of the world's leading conservationists, including biologist and African wildlife enthusiast Sir Julian Huxley, IUCN vice president Sir Peter Scott and director-general of the British Nature Conservancy E. M. Nicholson signed the Morges Manifesto establishing the World Wildlife Fund as the organization through which they would raise funds to support the world's …