WWF - A complete listing of all Gifts to the Earth

WWF applauds Mozambique's conservation initiatives

2011-07-15

Maputo, Mozambique, July 15th 2011 – WWF celebrated Mozambique's strong engagement in conservation initiatives by delivering a 'Gift to the Earth', its highest awardfor publicly applauding a significant conservation achievement, to the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr. Armando Emílio Guebuza.

The Government of Mozambique was recognized today as a result of the Declaration of the Lake Niassa Aquatic Reserve and Ramsar site and of other conservation successes including the Declaration of the Ponto de Ouro Marine Reserve, the Extension of the Gorongosa Reserve Buffer Zone, the New Conservation Policy of the Republic of Mozambique and the "One Leader, One Forest", and "One Student, One Tree" Initiatives.

"In the name of the Mozambican people I´d like to dedicate this prize especially to community leaders, teachers, students, professionals in the field of conservation, to the media and to the Mozambican people in general for the laboriousness work all have been doing for the protection of our natural resources", said the President of Mozambique in his speech.

'This decision culminates with a number of joint efforts carried out by the Government of Mozambique and WWF, aiming the reduction of poverty for local communities through the promotion of best practices in the use and management of lake´s biodiversity - this is by far the best gift Mozambican people could ever give to the lake' said Florencio Marerua, WWF Mozambique Country Director.

The Gift to the Earth, symbolized in a certificate signed by Jim Leape, WWF International Director General, was delivered to the President of the Republic of Mozambique by Jean-Paul Paddack, Director, Global Initiatives at WWF International, during a ceremony that gathered WWF partners and Governments.

'This celebration recognizes Mozambique's significant contribution and commitment to the protection of the living world and that is clearly visible: from the declaration of the Quirimbas National Park, the Marromeu Ramsar Site and the Extension of the Bazaruto National Park, all between 2002 and 2003, and now with the Lake Niassa Reserve Declararion in June 2011, ' said Paddack.

'We hope that these important actions will be followed by the official declaration of the Primeiras and Segundas as a Marine Park – which would create the largest marine protected area (MPA) in the Western Indian Ocean Ecoregion. WWF will continue to work with the Government of Mozambique and population to monitor progress and assist where possible' he said.

Lake Niassa is the third largest and the second deepest lake in Africa. It is also the southernmost lake in the Great Rift Valley system of East Africa. This great lake's tropical waters and shores are home to about 1000 species of cichlids (mostly endemics) and significant and diverse bird populations, mammals and reptiles.

The new Aquatic Reserve, announced in June of this year, is the first fresh water lake under protection in Mozambique covering an area of 47.8 thousand hectares adjoined by a buffer zone of another 89.3 thousand hectares. The area will be managed by the Ministry of Fisheries with support from the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry for Coordination of Environmental Affairs.

The main purposes of the new conservation area include the preservation and protection of the biodiversity of Lake Niassa and their resources in Mozambican coast, maintenance of the area's ecological integrity and sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of present and future Mozambican generations.

The Government of Mozambique has also approved the Lake Niassa Reserve as a Ramsar site as it meets five of the eight criteria needed for acceptance to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. This wetland will be the second Ramsar site for Mozambique after the declaration of Marromeu Complex in 2003.

These commitments will ensure that the livelihoods of fisher communities are secured and priority is given to development options that maintain the resource while deriving benefits. For instance, due to its pristine environment, the Mozambican part of the Lake is regarded as the most beautiful attraction for future ecotourism options. The aquatic systems wisely used can make tremendous contribution to the fisheries economy and livelihoods.

WWF pays tribute to Linda Norgrove

2010-10-10

Lima, Peru: Linda Norgrove, a British aid worker being held hostage in Afghanistan died on Friday during an attempt to rescue her by NATO forces. Originally from Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands, Linda was a former employee of WWF Peru and the United Nations, working for the firm Development Alternatives Inc at the time of her kidnap.

Juan Carlos Riveros, head of the Science and Climate Program in WWF's national office in Peru, worked with Linda during her time at WWF and has sent this message of remembrance and condolence:

"Linda started working for WWF Peru in 2002 and left in September 2005. She first began supporting work in the Peruvian portion of the Northern Andes, and a few months later she took charge of the Forest Program."

"Her time in Peru was crucial for the consolidation of the Forest Program of WWF Peru and the broadening of supporters (donors), which after Linda left included the European Union (a project on forest management with indigenous communities) and the Italo-Peruvian Fund (conservation of the Cordillera del Condor – Condorcanqui).

"Her work was fundamental for the implementation of the Peruvian portion of the Amazon Headwaters Initiative*, which during her tenure led to the establishment of Alto Purus National Park, the largest park in Peru, and a Gift to the Earth to then President Toledo for doing so. In the end, she even left the seed funding to support restoration work in Tabaconas-Namballe in Northern Peru. Her perseverance was key for the construction of WWF's alliances and work with indigenous federations in Peru."

"None of this would have been possible without the dedication and effort that Linda put into what she did. And yet, she always took time to relax with the whole team in WWF Peru. For many of us, Linda has been a friend, a sister or even a daughter, who left for Afghanistan to keep helping people and advancing environmental conservation. In the end, I think that she discovered and loved Peru like few Peruvians, and left us a high standard of commitment and devotion to WWF's mission."

Linda left a message for WWF on her departure in 2005:

"I'll always remember the challenges wéve faced together, the experiences, trips, celebrations and the achievements wéve accomplished together. It has been an honor and a highly valuable experience for me, being able to work with all of you towards the conservation of the Amazońs cultural and biological diversity." (September, 2005)

Everyone working for WWF globally gives sincere thanks for Linda's life and work and all of our thoughts are with her family and friends at this tragic time.

* The Amazon Headwaters Initiative is spearheaded by WWF in collaboration with the governments of Peru, Bolivia and Brazil, local NGOs and indigenous/traditional communities. The goal of AHI is to conserve the southwestern headwaters of the Amazon River through the creation and improved management of inter-connected protected areas and indigenous territories.

WWF awards recognise moves to protect high seas

2010-09-24

Bergen, Norway - WWF has today awarded its highest accolade – the Gift to the Earth Award – to two leading regional ocean management organisations that have been instrumental in establishing protected areas on the high seas.

WWF International Conservation Director Lasse Gustavsson handed over the awards at the close of the Ministerial Meeting of one of the recipients, the Oslo-Paris (OSPAR) Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic in Bergen, Norway.

Attending the meeting as observers were representatives of the other recipient, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Resources (CCAMLR). The awards recognise significant achievement in establishing marine protected areas (MPA's) over areas of the high seas in the North-East Atlantic and Southern Ocean respectively.

"Protection of the high seas is really the poor cousin of the well-behind schedule, well behind target international agreement to establish the levels of protection necessary to protect the world's biodiversity," said Gustavsson.

"For land, the level of protected areas amounts to more than 10%, for marine areas within national jurisdiction it is behind that at less than 1%, but on the high seas the level of protection until very recently was just zero."

"In the Southern Ocean, CCAMLR is awarded its commitment to delivering a representative network of marine protected areas throughout the Southern Ocean by 2012. To achieve this objective, CCAMLR has agreed to a concrete step by step work plan and the South Orkneys MPA, the first high seas MPA, representing the first component of the Southern Ocean MPA network, was adopted in November 2009," Gustavsson added.

"In the North-East Atlantic, we celebrate OSPAR's role in the establishment of the first suite of high seas MPAs, including four seamount protected areas as well as two large sections of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a stunning and ecologically underwater mountain range," he said.

WWF noted that the North East Atlantic proposal involved a unique collaboration between single coastal states, OSPAR and other intergovernmental bodies that is setting an important precedent and lesson to be shared with other regional seas - demonstrating it is possible to identify priority areas on the high seas, set conservation objectives and generate the political will for the management of human activities in parts of the oceans "far out and deep under".

The establishment of the high seas MPAs in the North-East Atlantic has been under consideration by OSPAR for four years, with some contracting parties entering last minute reservations due to concerns over their rights to use the seabed.

"We are happy that these reservations finally could be lifted but WWF regrets that full protection of the biologically diverse Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone to the north of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge was postponed until 2012," said Stephan Lutter, WWF-Germany's Marine Protected Area expert and spokesperson to OSPAR.

Rich underwater worlds

The North-East Atlantic is rich in marine wildlife, including cetaceans, sharks and rays, orange roughy and other deepwater fish, and vulnerable marine ecosystems such as cold-water coral reefs, coral gardens, sponge aggregations, seamounts and hydrothermal vent fields, many of which have been identified as threatened and declining due to high fishing pressure and impacts from other human activities.

The Southern Ocean is the one of the last great wildernesses on earth. Isolated by ice, wind and wild seas, it is one of the world's most pristine environments. What appears at first glance to be a relatively simple, cold and inhospitable ecosystem is in fact a region of spectacular natural beauty that is home to an outstanding diversity and productivity of wildlife. The unexpected beauty of the Southern Ocean is now recognised as supporting some of the most biologically productive regions of the world's oceans.

"Coherent and ecologically representative networks of high seas marine protected areas (MPAs) are an important tool for protecting the rich and often vulnerable biodiversity of the 70% of our oceans that lie beyond national jurisdiction," said Lutter

The Gift to the Earth award will be handed to Dr. David Johnson and Dr. Henning von Nordheim for OSPAR, as well as Dr. Denzil Miller from CCAMLR.

Coastal Rainforests of British Columbia: the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement

2007-05-01

On February 7, 2006 a major agreement was announced by the Premier of British Columbia, concerning the conservation and management of forests on the coast of Canada's Pacific province, British Columbia. The agreement covers 6.4 million hectares of the largest remaining intact coastal temperate rainforest ecosystems in the world. Of these, 1.8 million ha are to be protected, and the remainder subject to Ecosystem Based Management provisions to secure ecological and social values. WWF believes these agreements represent both a local demonstration of environmental leadership and a globally significant achievement and is therefore nominating the Agreement for recognition as a Gift to the Earth. The award goes to representatives from Canada's indigenous communities, environmental groups, forest companies and the British Columbia government, who worked for more than a decade to conserve ecologically sensitive areas of the rainforest.

WWF Contact information :
Chris Elliott
E-mail : celliott @ wwfcanada . org

Half of world's wild pandas to be protected

2006-10-25

Beijing, China – China has committed to protecting more than 700 giant pandas, almost half the total surviving in the wild.

The commitment by the southwestern provinces of Sichuan and Gansu to establish almost 1.6 million hectares of new protected areas in the Minshan Mountains will connect isolated panda populations, further helping to ensure the future health and survival of this iconic species.

WWF has recognized the efforts by the two provinces to preserve giant panda habitat in Minshan as a Gift to the Earth, the global conservation organization's highest accolade for significant conservation achievement.

"The Gift to the Earth recognizes the two provinces for their long-time cooperative contribution to biodiversity protection in Minshan, one of the most biologically diverse temperate forest landscapes on Earth," said WWF International Director General James Leape.

The commitment by the provincial governments involves the creation of new protected areas, improved management of existing areas, creation of linking corridors, cessation of logging, bamboo forest restoration, and co-management for panda conservation with other management agencies.

China's third national panda survey estimates that 1,600 pandas survive in the wild, with the populations in Minshan accounting for 44.4 per cent of the total population.

The two provincial governments have committed to establish, by 2010, a further 900,000ha of protected areas for other wildlife.

"We hope that the nature reserves will expand continuously and more endangered wild species will be protected," added Leape. "We admire both provincial governments' efforts and promise to continue supporting conservation work in this region."

The Sichuan provincial government has also agreed to retain a logging ban until 2010 covering 840,000ha of natural forest, while Gansu has expressed its commitment to maintain the logging ban covering 430,000ha of forest.

Since the 1960s, the two provinces have together established a total of 1,592,000ha of panda habitat.

China's forestry administration has promised to conduct continuous monitoring in panda habitats in Minshan, as well as in other parts of the country where the endangered species lives.

"This commitment to panda conservation is of global importance," said WWF China Country Representative Dermot O'Gorman. "We hope that China will continue its conservation work to create a bright future in which humans live in harmony with nature."

END NOTES:

• The Minshan landscape is WWF's 103rd Gift to the Earth. China's first Gift to the Earth was awarded in 2003 following the Chinese government's commitment to protect 14 wetland sites covering 1.95 million hectares. Other Gifts to the Earth in China include: establishing the Qinling Mountain range as a protected area network for pandas, with 12 new reserves and five ecological corridors (2003); the development, approval and implementation of the National Environmental Educational Guidelines for around 197 million Chinese school children (2004); and the designation by the Heilongjiang provincial government of 1,860,000 hectares of protected areas (2005).

• WWF has been active in China since 1980, when it was invited by the Chinese government as the first international NGO to work on the conservation of giant panda and its habitats. In 1996, WWF opened its Beijing office, the first of seven programme offices, including the Shanghai Branch Office. Today, the WWF China Programme Office has a staff of more than 70, working on several conservation issues such species, forests, freshwater, marine, climate change and education.

• Established in 1961, the World Wide for Nature (WWF) operates in more than 100 countries, working to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build 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; and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

For further information:
Tan Rui, Communications Officer
WWF China
Tel: +86 10 6522 7100
E-mail: rtan@wwfchina.org

CHINA (Sichuan and Gansu Provinces) - joint efforts to preserve the giant panda and its habitat in the Minshan Landscape

2006-10-01

The 2004 Panda Survey concluded that 1,600 giant pandas survive in the wild.

The pandas are scattered in 20 isolated populations in 6 major landscapes in southwestern China in the upper Yangtze River basin. Almost 1/2 of these pandas are found in the Minshan landscape, shared by Sichuan and Gansu provinces.

In a major development, the provincial governments of Sichuan and Gansu have each committed to establish new protected areas (PAs), linking corridors and co-managed areas to ensure all the pandas in Minshan are both protected and reconnected to ensure their long term health and survival. This represents the designation of almost 1.6 million hectares of panda habitat. Both provincial governments have also committed to establish PAs for other wildlife totaling an additional 900,000 hectares by 2010.

WWF, the global conservation organization, recognizes these commitments by the 2 provincial governments as a Gift to the Earth – symbolising a globally significant conservation achievement and inspiring environmental leadership.

As China's economy continues its rapid development, it is more important than ever to conserve the forest home of the giant panda – not just to safeguard this well-loved species, but also to maintain the subsistence fisheries and water resources essential for the livelihoods and subsistence needs of the nearly 40% of China's people who share the Yangtze River basin with the giant panda.

Plan to protect the Great Barrier Reef recognized as a Gift to the Earth

2005-10-24

Great Barrier Reef, Australia – WWF has presented the Australian government with a Gift to the Earth — the global conservation organization's highest accolade — for the design and implementation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning plan.

WWF regards the zoning plan as a pioneering development in marine conservation that sets the benchmark for marine protected area network establishment in Australia and around the world.

"The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most treasured natural wonders, and the Australian government has shown it is truly a world leader in marine conservation by implementing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning plan," said James Leape, WWF International Director General designate.

The Great Barrier Reef isn't just one of the world's most precious natural treasures, it is also one of Australia's most valuable tourism assets. In 2004, reef industries contributed approximately AU$5.8 billion (US$4.3 billion) to the Australian economy and employed about 63,000 people.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning plan was implemented on 1 July 2004. Under the plan, strict protection rose from 4.6 per cent to 33 per cent of the Marine Park and World Heritage Area, covering more than 11 million hectares. While tourism and other non-extractive activities continue in the new, scientifically-based network of marine protected areas, all commercial and recreational fishing is now banned.

"Protecting and restoring the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef is the most important goal for its future," said Leape. "The network of strictly protected areas outlined in the zoning plan will make a significant contribution to this goal."

WWF expects the Australian government to continue to take a leadership role in combating threats to the Great Barrier Reef, and will build on its success in protecting the reef as it establishes networks of Marine Protected Areas to safeguard the full range of Australian marine and coastal habitats.

The Gift to the Earth ceremony took place at the opening of the inaugural International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC) in Geelong, Australia. Almost 700 experts in marine conservation from over 60 countries are attending the international meeting, and WWF hopes that the Gift to the Earth award will inspire other countries around the world to establish similar levels of protection in their marine environment.

END NOTES:

• The Gift to the Earth award is WWF's highest accolade for conservation outcomes. It is only awarded to individuals, companies, institutions or governments who have demonstrated environmental leadership, and made a globally significant contribution to the conservation of the natural world.

For further information:
Andy Ridley, National Communications Manager
WWF-Australia
Tel: +61 2 8202 1237
E-mail: aridley@wwf.org.au

AUSTRALIA - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan

2005-10-01

On 1 July 2004, a vast synthesis of scientific research and a comprehensive public consultation process culminated in the implementation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning plan. This plan is a pioneering development in marine conservation, and it sets a new benchmark for the establishment of marine protected areas in Australia and around the world.

The size and scale of the network of marine sanctuaries prescribed in the zoning plan is unprecedented, and firmly establishes the Australian Government as a global leader in protecting our marine environment. More than its size however, the new zoning plan is also unprecedented in terms of its comprehensiveness. It includes representative areas of all of the Marine Park's range of biological regions within the strict protection of marine sanctuaries and is based on the best available scientific research and advice.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of WWF's Global ecoregions - a science-based ranking of the world's most biologically outstanding and globally representative areas of biodiversity - and a conservation priority for WWF.

WWF recognises the implementation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan as a GIFT TO THE EARTH - a globally significant conservation achievement, and an example of environmental leadership which can inspire others.

Senegal celebrates creation of new marine protected areas

2005-07-13

Dakar, Senegal – WWF has recognized the creation of five new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by the government and local communities of Senegal as a Gift to the Earth, the global conservation organization's highest accolade for significant conservation achievements.

The establishment of a network of MPAs off the Senegalese coast – covering a total area of 82,500ha – is crucial for the protection of fish spawning grounds and stock recovery. Nearly 700 fish species have been recorded in Senegal's waters, together with 20 cetaceans and five marine turtle species.

"We welcome this historic and visionary act made by local communities and the government of Senegal for future generations," declared Dr Claude Martin, Director General of WWF International, who attended the ceremony in Senegal.

"We also look to Senegal to continue its leadership in marine resource managmenet and to work with other countries in the region to develop more sustainable fisheries agreements."

Over the past few years, local communities have been working with the Senegalese government to ensure the protection of the country's marine and coastal resources, which are being threatened by overfishing, illegal catches, and the destruction of spawning grounds

According to WWF, the quantity of commercially-valued fish caught in Senegal's territorial waters has decreased by more than 80 per cent since the 1950s. These are worrying statistics as the fishing industry makes up a fourth of Senegal's national budget, creates numerous jobs, and constitutes an important source of protein for coastal and inland populations.

The establishment of the five MPAs represents a benchmark for the regional programme for the protection of coastal and marine resources (PRCM), which was catalyzed through a partnership between WWF, IUCN, the International Foundation for the Banc d'Arguin, Wetlands International, and the Sub-Regional Fisheries Commission for the safeguard of the region's marine resources and benefit of local fishermen.

"It is a new hope for Senegalese fishermen," said Papa Samba Diouf, Coordinator of WWF's Western Africa Marine Ecoregion Programme.

"The MPAs are essential to a sustainable management of fishing areas, especially when resources are already strongly exploited in Senegal. We hope that the creation of the new reserves will be a model for the creation of others in Senegal and in the sub-region."

During the event, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade pledged to create 10–15 new MPAs in his country, as well as establish two transboundary MPAs with neighbouring Mauritania and The Gambia.

Representatives from The Gambia committed to establishing a further two MPAs, as well as Cape Verde, which said it was also committed to the establishment of a biosphere reserve. Guinea Bissau committed to one new MPA to be established by 2007.

END NOTES:

• At the fifth World Parks Congress in September 2003, the government of Senegal declared its intention to create five new marine protected areas. This declaration of intent was honoured one year later through a government decree.

• The five MPAs consist of the St Louis, Kayar, Joal-Fadiouth, Abéné, and Bamboung Marine Protected Areas.

• The Western African Marine Ecoregion (WAMER) covers the Cape Verde Islands, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Senegal. One of WWF's objective in this area is to improve the conservation status of marine turtles in West Africa by preserving marine turtle hotspots, improving knowledge on marine turtles species, and stengthening sub-regional collaboration.

For more information:
Papa Samba Diouf, Coordinator
WWF West Africa Marine Ecoregion
Tel:+221 869 37 00
E-mail: wamer@wwfsenegal.org

Arona Soumaré, Marine Protected Areas Programme Officer
WWF West Africa Marine Ecoregion
Tel:+221 869 37 04
E-mail: asoumare@wwfsenegal.org

Frédéric Bambara, Communications Officer
WWF West Africa Marine Ecoregion
Tel:+221 869 37 05
E-mail: fbambara@wwfsenegal.org

China declares new protected areas

2005-06-08

Beijing, China - WWF commends the Chinese government for establishing 24 new protected areas in Heilongjiang province in north-east China.

Totaling 1.8 million hectares - an area equivalent to more than one-third the size of Switzerland - these protected areas were created between 2002 and 2005. The government will add another 1 million hectares by 2010, bringing Heilongijang's total protected area cover to 6.4 million hectares, or 14 per cent of the province's territory.

"As our province is one of China's - and the world's - richest areas in terms of biodiversity, the Heilongjiang government is making it a priority to save our natural resources by establishing protected areas and managing them effectively," said Han Lian Sheng, Director of the Heilongjiang Forestry Department.

Heilongjiang province takes its name from the Heilong River, which forms a natural border between China and Russia. The province is home to one of the world's most distinctive temperate forests, and has one of the last stands of mixed temperate deciduous and conifer forests in east Asia.

It is also a critical area for conserving endangered animal and plant species, including yew trees (Taxus), Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica), and leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis), as well as musk deer (Moschus moschiferus), brown bears (Ursos arctos), Asiatic black bears (U. tibethanus), and rare bird species such as the Siberian (Grus leucogeranus), and red-crowned cranes (G. japonensis).

These key species and their habitats are threatened by commercial logging, forest firests, poaching, wetland conversion, over-fishing, pollution, and dam construction.

"Because of the global significance of this exciting initiative, and its potential to help ensure the survival of a variety of endangered species in the wild, WWF has recognized it as a Gift to the Earth," said Prof Lars Kristoferson, Secretary General of WWF-Sweden. "We applaud the Chinese government and remain committed to working together with our partners for the future of this vital area."

A Gift to the Earth is WWF's highest accolade for applauding good conservation work. Each of these Gifts represents an important success within one or more of the global conservation priorities recognized by WWF including: protection of forest, freshwater, and marine ecosystems; endangered species; prevention of climate change; and elimination of toxic chemicals.

"The establishment of these new protected areas is a big step forward for both forest conservation and species protection in China," said Dr Zhu Chunquan, Director of WWF China's Forest programme.

"This Gift to the Earth is a great example for other conservation initiatives in China. We hope it will encourage our neighbours to create a cross-border 'Green Belt' in the Amur/Heilong ecoregion."

In addition to bringing 6.4 million hectares of protected areas in the Amur/Heilong Basin under protection by 2010, WWF offices in Mongolia, the Russian Far East, and China are also working to create a larger unified region of networked protected areas - a 'green belt' - set aside for conservation purposes.

Local communities in Heilongjiang province have participated in the establishment and monitoring of the newly protected areas, and will be involved in co-managing them. WWF and its partners will also work with local communities to develop sustainable livelihoods. The Gift to the Earth celebration, held in the province's capital, Harbin, will help strengthen conservation awareness amongst the local communities.

NOTES:

* WWF's Integrated Forest Conservation project in the Amur/Heilong ecoregion, initiated in July 2002, seeks to conserve those state-owned forests in north-east China and inner Mongolia that have high conservation value. It has already supported the creation of three protected areas – Dajiahe, Taipinggou, and Dongning Erduan – in Heilongjiang Province, and is helping to ensure that existing protected areas are effectively managed and maintained. It also supports one of China's six national conservation programmes – the Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Development Programme.

* WWF has worked with the Heilongjiang provincial government to foster responsible forestry through promoting forest certification. Besides capacity building and field research, WWF has provided technical and financial support to the Youhao Forestry Bureau in the province. In January 2005, the Bureau, with a total forest area of 24,000ha, became China's first state-owned forest to be certified under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme.

* WWF defines an ecoregion as a large unit of land or water containing a geographically distinct assemblage of species, natural communities, and environmental conditions. WWF's Global 200 Ecoregions are a science-based ranking of the world's most biologically outstanding and globally representative areas of biodiversity.

For further information:
Zhu Chuquan, Forest Director
WWF China Programme
Tel: +86 1370 128 8966
E-mail: chqzhu@wwfchina.org

An Yan, Forest Programme Coordinator
WWF China Programme
Tel: +86 1350 121 0386
E-mail: yan@wwfchina.org

CHINA (Heilongjiang Province) - Establishment of 1.85 million hectares of new Protected Areas and pledge another 1 million hectares by 2010

2005-06-01

Since 2002, the Heilongjiang provincial government has established 24 new protected areas (PAs) with a total area of 1.85 million hectares.

In addition to the newly established PAs, the Heilongjiang provincial government has committed to creating a further 1 million hectares of PAs by 2010, bringing the province's total PA coverage to 6.4 million hectares. PAs will then total 191, and occupy 14% of the total area of the province.

Twenty five PAs will be on the national level, 70 on the provincial level and the rest at county level. Altogether, these actions will protect 90% of the province's key species.

Over the past few years, the Heilongjiang provincial government has earnestly pursued the overall goal of creating a viable, representative and well-managed PA network with a wide variety of supportive actions.

The Heilongjiang government has also actively worked with WWF to promote forest certification in the province. In January of 2005, Youhao Forestry Bureau in Heilongjiang Province became China's first state-owned forest to be certified under the FSC scheme. Its total forest area is 240,000 hectares.

These achievements and future commitments demonstrate major progress in the implementation of 1 of China's 6 major national forest protection programmes - the Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Development programme. These actions also reflect the government's commitment to conserve Heilongjiang's rich natural biodiversity.

WWF, the global conservation organization, recognizes this important commitment as a Gift to the Earth (GttE), a globally significant conservation achievement, an example of environmental leadership, and an inspiration to others.

WWF recognizes Russia's Krasnoyarsk region as a Gift to the Earth

2005-05-18

Krasnoyarsk, Russia – WWF has recognized major conservation commitments by Russia's Krasnoyarsk region as a Gift to the Earth, the global conservation organization's highest accolade for globally significant conservation achievements.

Marking WWF's 100th Gift to the Earth, the Governor of Krasnoyarsk, Alexander Khloponin, committed to establish more than 3 million hectares of protected areas in the region by 2007. Much of the protected areas will fall under WWF's Altai-Sayan priority ecoregion.

"With its immense wilderness areas and its unique natural values, Russia is one of the world's most important countries for nature conservation," said HRH Prince Henrik of Denmark, who attended the Gift to the Earth ceremony in his capacity as President of WWF-Denmark.

The Krasnoyarsk region, located in the centre of Eurasia, extends over 72.4 million hectares (approximately 4.3 per cent of Russia's territory). The region's diverse environment includes arctic deserts, mountains, and tundra and taiga forests, and is home to numerous animal species such as
Arctic fox, brown bears, musk deer, and snow leopards.

Unfortunately, this unique region faces serious threats such as poaching, illegal logging, and climate change.

Responding to the threats, the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources also announced at the ceremony its commitment to establish five new federal protected areas over 840,000ha – the first protected areas to be established by the government in five years. Three of the five proposed areas are part of the Gift to the Earth Initiative.

"This gives up hope and optimism that the challenge to protect the wealth of biodiversity globally, especially here in one of the world's largest countries, can be achieved," Prince Henrik added.

To date, 100 Gifts to the Earth have been recognized, of which 15 are in Russia. Since the first Gift to the Earth was awarded to the Republic of Sakha in 1996, more than 100 million hectares of new and upgrade protected areas have been achieved in Russia.

NOTES:

• A Gift to the Earth is a public celebration by WWF of a conservation action by a government, a company, an organization, or an individual which is both a demonstration of environmental leadership and a globally significant contribution to the protection of the living world. The Gift is symbolic, and is WWF's highest accolade for applauding good conservation work. Each of these Gifts represents an important success within one or more of the global conservation priorities recognized by WWF including: protection of forest, freshwater, and marine ecosystems; endangered species; prevention of climate change, and elimination of toxic chemicals.

• Altai-Sayan is one of seven priorities of WWF's European Programme and one of three priorities of WWF-Russia, with fantastic biological, historical and cultural diversity. The ecosystems are the richest among boreal forests in terms of biodiversity and more than 200 rare plant species are represented in this ecoregion, 12 per cent of which are endemic. The region also represents the most complete sequence of altitude vegetation zones in Siberia, from high mountain taiga to semi-deserts and wetlands.

For further information:
Katya Pal, Head of Communications
WWF-Russia
Tel: +7 095 727 0939
E-mail: kpal@wwf.ru

More protection for Russia's forests

2005-05-18

Moscow, Russia – WWF has welcomed the announcement by Russia's Ministry of Natural Resources to establish five new federally protected areas over 840,000ha – the first protected areas to be established by the government in five years.

"Today's announcement gives hope and optimism to the challenge of protecting the wealth of biodiversity found in Russia's forests," said Igor Chestin, WWF Russia's Chief Executive Officer.

Russia holds 25 per cent of the world's virgin forests and has between 8–10 per cent of the planet's flora and fauna.

Three of the five federal protected areas – Zov Tigra, Anyuski, and Sredneussuriysky – provide refuge to the endangered Amur tiger. Located in the Primorsky region of the Russian Far East, these forests are threatened by illegal logging. Illegal and unsustainable trade in endangered and rare species are also major problems.

The Primorsky regional government had in 1998 pledged to establish the three protected areas. This action was recognised as a Gift to the Earth, WWF's highest accolade in recognition of globally significant contribution to the protection of the living planet.

The federal protection would provide these national parks with additional protection, as well as state financing in their management and maintenance. They will add to Russia's network of protected areas which currently comprises 100 zapovedniks (nature reserves) and 35 national parks.

"WWF hopes that this is the start of many more federal protected areas being established," Chestin said.

Since four years ago, the Russian government had drawn up a list of 21 state protected areas planned for establishment between 2001–2010. However, no action had been taken until now.

Besides urging the government to act to ensure more protected areas on the list are established by the target date, WWF is also calling for the establishment of an independent agency to be responsible for nature conservation, including management of the national parks so they do not exist in name only.

The government's announcement coincides with the conclusion of a two-day conference which saw protected area directors and nature protection officials and experts from across Russia coming together to discuss pertinent issues facing the country's forests.

It also coincides with the celebration of Russia's 12 Gifts to the Earth, including the 100th Gift – a commitment by the Governor of Krasnoyarsk to double the region's protected area network by adding a further 3 million hectares.

Notes:
Ten years ago WWF launched the Living Planet Campaign. Central to the campaign was WWF's call to heads of government and industry to make globally significant conservation commitments which the conservation organization would recognize as Gifts to the Earth. To date, 100 Gifts to the Earth have been celebrated. Through governments' commitments, the world's protected areas have been enlarged by 160 million hectares, or more than three times the size of France.

In Russia, 14 regions have made conservation commitments which were recognized as Gifts to the Earth. New protected areas have been created, existing parks enlarged, and conservation management improved. The first and 100th Gift to the Earth came from Russia. The first from the Sakha Republic was also the largest – a commitment to protect some 70 million hectares of forests.

For further information:
Katya Pal, Head of Communications
WWF-Russia
Tel: +7 095 727 0939
Email: kpal@wwf.ru

RUSSIA (Krasnoyarsk Region) - Three million hectares of new protected areas by 2007 and promotion of sustainable forest management

2005-05-01

The Governor of the Krasnoyarsk region of Russia has committed to establish more than 3 million hectares of protected areas (PAs) by 2007, which will double the area under protection. Special attention will also be paid to improve the management of existing protected areas.

Sustainable forest management is also promoted in the region through establishing the Krasnoyarsk Forest Certification Centre and encouraging FSC certification of major timber producers.

WWF, the global conservation organization, recognizes this important commitment as a Gift to the Earth (GttE), a globally significant conservation achievement, an example of environmental leadership, and an inspiration to others.

PERU - Significant moves to protect biodiversity and respect indigenous people's rights

2005-03-01

In November 2004, the government of Peru established the Alto Purus National Park and the Purus Communal Reserve over a 2.7 million hectare expanse of Peruvian Amazon tropical forest along the Brazilian border. It is a true step forward for the conservation of key forest areas as well as important populations of endangered species such as the jaguar, the giant river otter and the black spider monkey.

March 2005 saw a giant boost for the rights of indigenous communities as the government committed by decree to establish a special commission that will propose a law to secure the creation of well managed territorial reserves for indigenous people living in voluntary isolation. This represents an important move for strengthening strategic partnerships between conservationists and indigenous groups, as territorial reserves complement natural protected area networks whilst simultaneously protecting indigenous rights.

Over the past 5 years, the Peruvian government has also promoted the modernization of the forest sector by promoting a more orderly and responsible utilization of the country's forest, the 2nd largest tropical forest in South America. Similarly, it has established and installed a multi sector commission to combat illegal logging.

Central Africa honoured with a Gift to the Earth

2005-02-05

Brazzaville, Republic of Congo – WWF has recognized the Yaoundé Process — a pioneering regional initiative to conserve the forests of Central Africa — as a Gift to the Earth.

The 'Gift' — WWF's highest accolade for a globally significant contribution to the protection of the planet — was presented by WWF International Director General Claude Martin to the leaders of seven Central African nations attending the second Central African Heads of State Forest Summit in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo, where they signed Africa's first ever region-wide conservation treaty and an agreement to protect over seven per cent of the Congo Basin forests.

One quarter of the world's remaining tropical rainforests is in Central Africa, which includes the Congo River Basin. This area contains the second largest tropical rainforest in the world after the Amazon, and is home to half of Africa's wild animal species and more than 10,000 plants species.

Since the first African region forest summit took place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in March 1999, 4.5 million hectares of new forest protected areas and important cross-border cooperation to safeguard endangered wildlife has been established.

"It is now almost six years since Central African leaders created history by getting together and taking action to save the Congo Basin forests," said Dr Claude Martin. "Now, we are urging them to reconfirm their willingness, and to reinforce their efforts to protect this globally important natural heritage. This will involve improving governance and civil society participation."

"WWF has worked in the region for more than two decades and we are committed to the Congo Basin for the long term."

Notes:
• A Gift to the Earth is a public celebration by WWF of a conservation action by a government, a company, an organization, or an individual which is both a demonstration of environmental leadership and a globally significant contribution to the protection of the living world. The Gift is symbolic, and is WWF's highest accolade for applauding good conservation work.

• To date, more than 90 Gifts to the Earth have been recognized since 1996, including more than 60 major commitments by governments throughout the world.

• Each of these Gifts represents an important success within one or more of the global conservation priorities recognized by WWF including: protection of forest, freshwater, and marine ecosystems; endangered species; prevention of climate change, and elimination of toxic chemicals.

CAMEROON, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, CHAD, EQUATORIAL GUINEA, GABON, REPUBLIC OF CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - Commitment to protect the natural wealth of their forests

2005-02-01

The Yaoundé Process - a pioneering regional initiative to conserve the forests of the Central African region - has in 5 years resulted in a number of significant successes including the establishment of 4.5 million hectares (ha) of new and upgraded forest Protected Areas (PAs), operational funding, promotion of responsible forestry, and unprecedented international cooperation via large-scale transboundary PA agreements.

In 1999, at a Central African Heads of State Summit held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and chaired by WWF International President, Emeritus HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and leaders of Cameroon, central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Republic of Congo, signed the Yaoundé Declaration, with the Democratic Republic of Congo signing later. The Declaration was put into action through the creation of a regional body, the Commission of Central African Forests (COMIFAC). COMIFAC has developed the Declaration into an international treaty - Africa's 1st regional accord for forest conservation.

Five years on, a 2nd gathering - the Brazzaville Summit - takes theYaoundé Process of helping to conserve the region's forests to a new level, providing an opportunity to review the successes achieved and set new goals. At this summit the 7 Heads of State will sign the COMIFAC treaty, invite new members to join, and launch a strategic forest conservation plan, the Plan de Convergence, with ambitious 5-year targets.

WWF, the conservation organization, recognizes the Yaoundé Process as a Gift to the Earth, a globally significant conservation achievement which is an example of environmental leadership at the highest level and an inspiration to others.

Indonesia's gifts to the Earth

2004-11-24

Bangkok, Thailand - WWF has recognized Indonesia's efforts to protect the country's rich and diverse natural heritage as a Gift to the Earth.

The Indonesian government has added 1.3 million hectares of protected areas through establishing nine new national parks and expanding an existing one. The new parks will protect a huge range of biodiversity, especially the endangered Sumatran tiger, as well as rhinos, elephants, and orang-utans.

The government is also promoting collaborative management of protected areas following the issue of a ministerial decree last month.

WWF has recognized these efforts as a Gift to the Earth, the conservation organization's highest accolade for a globally significant contribution to the protection of the planet.

"These achievements reflect the Indonesia's strong commitment to conserve the country's natural heritage for the well-being of current and future generations, and set a positive track record for future commitments and actions," said Dr Claude Martin, WWF International's Director General.

Some of the newly protected areas include Tesso Nilo, one of Sumatra's remaining lowland forests and home to 60–80 elephants, and Sebangau, the largest remaining peat swamp forest in Kalimantan on the island of Borneo and home to 2,500–4,500 orang-utans.

"The combined effort of the government and NGOs working hand-in-hand to ensure the protection of biodiversity wealth and the well-being of local communities is vital for conservation success," said Dr Mubariq Ahmad, WWF Indonesia's Executive Director.

"We commend the government of Indonesia for its recognition of the importance of collaborative management of protected areas and will continue to work towards making it a reality."

To celebrate Indonesia's joint efforts and achievements in conservation, the Indonesian government, together with a number of national and international NGOs, held an event during the IUCN-World Conservation Congress, which took place from 17–25 in Bangkok, Thailand.

At the event, WWF awarded its Gift to the Earth certificate to Koes Saparjadi, Director General of Indonesia's Forest Protection and Nature Conservation. Leaders for a Living Planet certificates for outstanding conservation efforts were also given to several local government officials.

Notes:

• A Gift to the Earth is a public celebration by WWF of a conservation action by a government, a company, an organization, or an individual which is both a demonstration of environmental leadership and a globally significant contribution to the protection of the living world. The Gift is symbolic, and is WWF's highest accolade for applauding good conservation work.

• To date, 82 Gifts to the Earth have been recognized since 1996, including more than 60 major commitments by governments throughout the world.

• Indonesia's Gift to the Earth, the establishment of nine new national parks include: Batang Gadis (108,000ha), Gunung Merapi (6,410ha), Gunung Merbabu (5,725ha), Tesso Nilo (38,576ha), Aketajawe-Lolobata (167,300ha), Bantimurung-Bulusaraung (43,750ha), Kepulauan Togean (365,605ha), Sebangau (568,700ha), and Gunung Ciremai (15,500ha). Also, 14,160ha were added to the Kerinci Seblat National Park. In total, 1,330,826ha were added to Indonesia's protected area coverage.

• The actions recognized in this Gift to the Earth exceed WWF's target of establishing 700,000ha of new protected areas in Indonesia's most outstanding, least represented and/or highly threatened priority forest ecoregions by 2008. They also contribute 100 per cent to WWF's targets of assessing the effectiveness of national park management in
Indonesia, and in securing habitat for the most significant viable populations of orang-utans and Sumatran elephants and tigers.

For further information:
Chandra Kirana, Director of Communications
WWF-Indonesia
Tel: + 62 811 109389
E-mail: Ckirana@wwf.or.id

INDONESIA - Establishment of 1.3 million hectares of Protected Areas and commitment to further improve Protected Area management effectiveness

2004-11-01

In October 2004, the Government of Indonesia established 9 new National Parks and expanded an existing park, adding 1,330,826 hectares of Protected Areas (PAs) - 1/3rd the size of Switzerland. Spread across Indonesia, the new PAs protect a huge range of biodiversity, especially the endangered Sumatran tiger, rhino and elephant, and orangutan. The Government has pledged to create a further 1 million hectares in 2005.

In addition, the Government assessed the management effectiveness of 41 National Parks (NPs), a critical step in Indonesia's endeavours to ensure sound protection of its vast and diverse natural heritage.

The assessment revealed the top 3 threats as illegal logging, illegal hunting and fishing, and park encroachment, all often poverty-driven. The Government is addressing these issues by working closely with NGOs and paying attention to livelihood needs. Aware that the success of biodiversity protection depends on public support for conservation and sustainable management of natural resources, the Government issued a Ministerial Decree on Collaborative Management in PAs in October.

These achievements signify major progress in meeting the goals of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), the World Parks Congress, and the Convention on Biological Diversity. They also reflect the Government's strong commitment to conserve Indonesia's natural hertage for the well-being of current and future generations, and set a positive track record for future commitments and actions.

SOUTH AFRICA - Commitment to conserve 20% of South Africa's coastline

2004-07-01

The recent declaration of 4 major Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by the government of South Africa has demonstrated its strong commitment to the conservation and wise use of marine resources, increasing the proportion of South Africa's coastline that falls within MPAs from 11% to 18%.

This declaration, and the overall commitment to conserve 20% of South Africa's coastline, represents major progress towards meeting the goals of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), the World Parks Congress and the Convention on Biological Diversity - recent international agreements on sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.

The new MPAs, which are spread across the eastern and south western coastlines, also greatly increase the number and proportion of marine habitats that now enjoy formal protection. A 5th large MPA on the west coast was proposed by government is awaiting further consultation to achieve agreement with the widest possible support.

The declaration of these new MPAs represents a significant achievement, which is part of a greater commitment by the South African government towards protecting its marine resources and biodiversity. The Minister of Environmental Affairs has announced that future efforts will also be directed at conserving substantial components of the continental shelf, extending into the Exclusive Economic Zone.

This commitment by the South African government is recognized by WWF, the global conservation organization, as a Gift to the Earth, WWF's premier recognition of globally significant conservation achievements as an example of environmental leadership and an inspiration to others.