A Gift to the Earth is a public celebration by WWF, the global conservation organization, of a significant conservation action by a government, company or other organization. In recognizing an action as a Gift to the Earth, WWF is highlighting both the environmental leadership and the inspiring conservation achievement contributing to the protection of the living world.

The Gift to the Earth award is symbolic. It is a form of recognition which enables WWF to publicly thank and congratulate those responsible for an important conservation achievement, which can also serve as an example to others. In addition, this enables WWF to draw worldwide attention to the conservation achievement among international media, funding agencies and other organisations.

The Gift to the Earth is represented by a certificate signed by the WWF International Director General or WWF International President, and is presented by a senior WWF official at a public event to profile the achievement. Such events are important opportunities for showing the larger conservation picture, for inspiring others and recognizing the many stakeholders and donors who play key roles in making such actions happen, of strengthening relationships with stakeholders and building a team approach to conservation, and of gaining powerful new conservation commitments.

More than 100 Gifts to the Earth have been recognised since 1996, including over 110 major commitments by governments throughout the world. Each of these Gifts represents an important success within WWF’s Global Conservation Programme.

An indication of the scale of conservation commitment celebrated by WWF through Gifts to the Earth since 1996 is seen in the 30 Gifts which feature forest conservation actions. In total, the governments recognised in these Gifts have passed legislation or made binding commitments to protect more than 150 million hectares of forest ─ representing almost five percent of the world's remaining forest.

Among these forest-based Gifts to the Earth are commitments by the respective governments responsible for the Brazilian Amazon and the Congo Basin forests to protect and sustainably manage these two tropical forest complexes which are outstanding international priorities for conservation.