WWF's Global Species Programme is working to stabilize and increase populations of WWF's priority species – and at the same time, deliver broader conservation goals as well as social equity and improved livelihoods for the rural poor.
Working for biodiversity and people
This includes working with our many partners to:
- Protect, manage, and/or restore essential habitats, as well as provide connectivity and corridors between habitats
- Reduce local and global threats such as unsustainable wildlife trade, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and incidental bycatch
- Stimulate and strengthen national, regional, and international policy and funding for species conservation, that is integrated with biome approaches as well as development and poverty reduction programmes
- Empower local communities to conserve species and achieve long-term sustainable management of natural resources.
Species are essential to human societies. They form cultural and religious symbols, play an essential role in ensuring environmental goods and services, and are vital to the livelihoods and well-being of many rural communities dependent on them for their survival.
However due to human activities, species are disappearing around the world faster than ever before – breaking down the life support system upon which we all depend.
However due to human activities, species are disappearing around the world faster than ever before – breaking down the life support system upon which we all depend.
A successful approach
Over the past five decades, WWF's field work has helped bring black, white, and greater one-horned rhinos, certain populations of African elephants, mountain gorillas and Amur tigers back from the brink of extinction.
We have achieved important policy wins, such as helping bring about the global moratorium on whaling, controlling trade in endangered species such as tigers, and regulating trade in species such as mahogany and sturgeons (caught for caviar).
This work is not only giving a more certain future for specific species, but helping thousands more by contributing to the conservation of all biodiversity within many ecoregions.
Our species conservation efforts are also directly helping people, through improved livelihoods, food security, incomes, governance, and empowerment. Our work is delivering towards at least 4 of the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), contributing to poverty reduction in several parts of the world.
We have achieved important policy wins, such as helping bring about the global moratorium on whaling, controlling trade in endangered species such as tigers, and regulating trade in species such as mahogany and sturgeons (caught for caviar).
This work is not only giving a more certain future for specific species, but helping thousands more by contributing to the conservation of all biodiversity within many ecoregions.
Our species conservation efforts are also directly helping people, through improved livelihoods, food security, incomes, governance, and empowerment. Our work is delivering towards at least 4 of the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), contributing to poverty reduction in several parts of the world.
Carlos Drews, Director of WWF´s Global Species Programme, talks about species conservation.
