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WWF-UKWORKING WHERE IT MATTERS

CONTENTS

2 INTRODUCTION

GLOBAL

4 ENDANGERED SPECIES

AFRICA

6 EAST AFRICA MARINE ECOREGION

7 RUAHA FRESHWATER – TANZANIA

8 SUSTAINABLE LIVING – NAMIBIA

ASIA PACIFIC

10 EASTERN HIMALAYAS ECOREGION

11 YANGTZE FRESHWATER – CHINA

EUROPE

12 NE ATLANTIC MARINE ECOREGION

14 NATURAL RIVERS – UK

15 UK FOOTPRINT

LATIN AMERICA

16 MEXICO’S FORESTS PROGRAMME

17 FRESHWATER IN MEXICO AND USA

18 SOCIAL CHANGE FOR CONSERVATION –

COLOMBIA

19 WATER FOR LIFE – BRAZIL

Species, spaces and global threats to natureWWF-UK is part of a global network of 52 officesworking in more than 90 countries.

WWF-UK takes action to:

• conserve endangered species – such as tigers,elephants and whales;

• protect endangered spaces – the forests, rivers,wetlands and seas; and

• address global threats to nature – in particular,climate change and toxic chemicals

for the benefit of people and nature.

Working for changeIn the UK, WWF confronts these issues through its work with government, business, schools, localauthorities and the wider public.

Further afield, WWF-UK directs some 70 per cent of its funds towards its GlobalConservation Programmes.

Global Conservation ProgrammesTo secure lasting conservation across the issues wework on, WWF-UK is committed to a number ofGlobal Conservation Programmes – 13 of whichare included in this leaflet.

These Programmes

• are big in scale – often involving a number ofcountries, WWF offices and partners such asgovernments, non-governmental organisationsand community groups;

• are globally representative – covering key forest,freshwater and marine ecosystems in Africa,Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America;

• tackle a whole mix of interrelated conservationissues – not just single issues;

• draw on a complete tool-kit of conservationresponses – such as the management of habitats and natural resources, policy, businesspartnerships, campaigning, and communications;

• are designed for the long-term – to enable thenecessary changes to take place in legislation,business practices, trade and investment, andinternational development planning.

WWF-UK takes action to conserve endangered species, protect endangeredspaces and address global threats to nature.

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WWF’s programmes are bigin scale – often involving anumber of countries, WWFoffices and partners.

Species were the basis for WWF’s foundation in 1961 and they remainat the heart of its mission to conserve the world’s biodiversity.

ENDANGERED SPECIESThe world’s species are facingserious threats to theirsurvival – from habitat loss,over-exploitation, and illegaltrade. For example, there areonly 1,000 giant pandas in the wild, and twentyfive per cent of all mammals are threatened withextinction if current trends persist.

While all WWF’s conservation efforts affect the whole web of life and vast numbers of species,WWF focuses particular attention on a smallnumber of globally important ‘flagship’ species.These charismatic creatures inspire conservationefforts for themselves – and for the thousands of lesser-known, but vitally important, plants andanimals with which they co-exist.

WWF-UK’s flagship species include elephants(African and Asian), great apes (gorilla,chimpanzee and orang-utan), giant panda, rhinos(black, Javan, Sumatran and greater one-horned),tigers (Bengal, Siberian and Sumatran), hawksbillturtle and humpback whale.

The Endangered Species Programme aims to haltor reverse the decline in key populations of theseflagship species, by working with governments totackle the critical issues of habitat loss, poachingand illegal wildlife trade.

WWF is investing in action plans for species’survival, which in many cases focus onreconnecting isolated protected areas.

For a more detailed leaflet, ‘Protecting The World’sEndangered Species’, call our Supporter Care team on 01483 426444.

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WWF focuses particular attention on a small number of globally important‘flagship’ species.

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EAST AFRICA MARINE ECOREGIONThe east Africa marine ecoregion,in the Indian Ocean, extends forabout 4,600km of coastline fromsouthern Somalia, through Kenya,Tanzania and Mozambique to thenorth-eastern shores of South Africa.

The ecoregion boasts over 11,000 species of plantsand animals – including more than 200 types ofcoral and 1,500 types of fish – and the coastlinesupports some 22 million people who depend onthe rich marine life for their livelihoods. But theresources along the entire length of east Africa are extensively used, creating problems of over-harvesting, which can destroy habitats and species alike.

WWF’s programme is working with local peopleand partners to rebuild and secure a healthyenvironment for the future of the east Africamarine ecoregion, ensuring that both marineresources and the livelihoods of coastalcommunities are protected.

RUAHA FRESHWATER – TANZANIAOne of WWF’s great challenges in Africa is to restore the year-roundflow of Tanzania’s Great RuahaRiver, which flows through theimportant Usangu wetlands and themagnificent Ruaha National Parkwithin a river basin that is home to more thanthree million people.

Over-use of the water resources for rice irrigationschemes, coupled with intensive livestock grazingand deforestation, have seen this river dry up eachyear for longer and longer periods – as long as 111consecutive days recently. People, wildlife andwildfowl are all suffering the effect of theunsustainable use of the river’s water resources

WWF’s programme is working to integrate localpeople in the management of water resources, aswell as providing alternative water sources andwater-efficient rice farming practices.

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Restoring the year-round flow of Tanzania’s Great Ruaha River will improvethe lives of local people within the entire watershed.

WWF’s programme is working with local people and partners to rebuildand secure a healthy environment for the east Africa marine ecoregion.

A game guard crouches by an elephant footprint in Kunene. Properlymanaged wildlife resources can bring strong social, environmental andfinancial returns to communities

SUSTAINABLE LIVING – NAMIBIABefore this programme waslaunched, wildlife in Namibia washunted for income or was seen as acompetitor to domestic animals forscarce resources, such as grazing.Wildlife numbers droppeddrastically, with species such as the elephant andblack rhino being pushed towards local extinction.For many Namibians, there was no economicalternative to this unsustainable use of wildlife.

That is now changing as WWF, through its localpartner, demonstrates that properly managedwildlife resources can bring social, environmentaland financial returns to communities.

WWF is supporting work with conservancies inKunene and Caprivi to create sustainable andresponsible tourism opportunities. And in returnfor these new economic opportunities, thecommunities have introduced conservancy guardswho prevent poaching activities and monitorwildlife. The past few years have seen dramaticincreases in wildlife numbers – a fitting testamentto the success of this programme.

The past few years have seen dramatic increases in wildlife numbers – a fitting testament to the success of this programme.

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YANGTZE FRESHWATER – CHINAThe central Yangtze region has more lakes than anywhere else in China. These lakes played an important role in removingpollutants, retaining flood water and preventing droughts. The freeflow of water also allowed biodiversity to prosper.

However, due to unsustainable land development,these lakes have been disconnected from theYangtze river. This has had a devastating impacton the ecosystem. Rare species, such as the Baijidolphin and finless porpoise, now face extinction.

Supported by HSBC, and working in partnershipwith local governments, WWF aims to graduallyrecover ‘the web of life’ in the central YangtzeRiver basin through policy work and demon-stration projects that will re-link disconnectedlakes, support local economic development andcreate a network of protected areas.

The soaring mountains are home to the endangered snow leopard, whiletigers, elephants and rhinos are found in the lower reaches.

Supported by HSBC, and working in partnership with local governments,WWF aims to recover ‘the web of life’ in the central Yangtze River basin.

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EASTERN HIMALAYASThe eastern Himalayas are amongthe most spectacular landscapes onEarth. Yet they contain some of theworld’s most threatened flora, faunaand ecosystems.

Local people depend almost entirelyon their natural surroundings for their subsistence,but the resources are now being used unsustainably.Localised forest clearance for agriculture, livestockgrazing and over-collection of plants for medicinesare all having a huge impact, in addition to thethreats brought by international tourism andclimate change.

WWF has embarked on a programme to tackleenvironmental degradation in the easternHimalayas by reducing the rate of forestconversion and pressure from poachers, improvingenvironmental management, and stabilisingpopulations of elephant, tiger and rhino. All this,we believe, will also greatly improve thelivelihoods of local people.

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC MARINE ECOREGIONThe North-east Atlantic MarineEcoregion provides a diverse rangeof marine and coastal habitatsincluding highly productive kelpforests, sea grass beds and even coldwater coral reefs. It is extremely richin marine wildlife, including basking sharks – the second largest fish in the world – and seals.

But this rich and precious marine environment is at risk. Marine wildlife is threatened by toxicchemicals, which enter the sea via rivers and theatmosphere. This is exacerbated by discharges ofoil and chemicals from offshore platforms andshipping activities. Fish stocks and marineecosystems have also come under heavy pressurefrom overfishing, while coastal and marine habitatsare increasingly threatened by harbour construction,industrial development, flood defence and theextensive extraction of oil, gas, sand and gravel.

The WWF North-east Atlantic Programme aims toprotect and, where necessary, restore biodiversityin this important marine environment. Throughlobbying and advocacy, WWF has brought aboutsignificant commitments to keep the oceans clean, to green fisheries policy and to conservebiodiversity at sea. Through its Oceans RecoveryCampaign (ORCA) WWF is campaigning for these pledges to be put into practice, and for acomprehensive Marine Act to protect all UK waters.

While marine wildlife is threatened by toxic chemicals, fish stocks andmarine ecosystems are under heavy pressure from overfishing.

WWF has initiated significant commitments to keep the ocean clean, to green fisheries policy and to conserve biodiversity at sea.

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NATURAL RIVERS – UK WWF’s Natural Rivers programmein the UK is working towards ahealthy freshwater environment,aiming to reduce pollution fromagriculture, increase the use ofnatural flood management, and helppeople to use water more efficiently.

Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, a key part of thisprogramme, is a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reservenear Doncaster. It protects the city by storing floodwater, and its reedbeds and wetlands naturallyabsorb pollution and help clean the River Torne.Potteric Carr is also a valuable leisure site in anarea with significant pockets of social deprivation.

The diverse wildlife of Potteric Carr includesaround 70 species of breeding birds, such as thekingfisher and long-eared owl, and at least 25species of butterfly and 19 species of dragonfly.

Supported by HSBC, WWF-UK is working closelywith the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to expand thereserve and provide a model for wetlandmanagement throughout the UK.

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This programme will expand the reserve and restore wetland wildlifetreasures for local people and visitors to enjoy.

UK FOOTPRINT Every individual, everyhousehold, every business,and ultimately every country,consumes resources. The markthis consumption leaves on thenatural world is the “ecologicalfootprint”. For example, when weconsume petrol, the effect is notonly felt on stocks of fossil fuels,but also in levels of pollution andclimate change.

The UK’s consumption of natural resources isunsustainable. If everyone in the world had afootprint as big as the average person’s in the UK, we would need three planets to support us.

Thanks to grants totalling more than £800,000 fromBiffaward, the landfill taxcredit scheme operatedby Biffa WasteServices and theRoyal Societyfor NatureConservation,WWF is workingclosely with nationaland local government toreduce the UK’s footprinton the natural world. Planning for sustainablecommunities, launching renewable energy andwaste minimisation programmes, providinglocally-grown food and creating integratedtransport initiatives are among the initiativesbeing pursued.

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MEXICO’S FOREST PROGRAMMEThe biodiversity of Mexico’s forestsis globally outstanding. They contain50 per cent of the world’s pinespecies and a remarkable 135species of oak. Mexico is also one of the few countries in the worldwhere nearly all the forests – some 80 per cent –are owned by indigenous and local communities.

But Mexico’s forests are being lost at an alarmingrate: indeed, an area more than twice the size ofScotland has been lost in the last 40 years.

The main causes of forest loss are clearance foragriculture and grazing, poor and illegal loggingpractices, uncontrolled forest fires and majorinfrastructure development. However, the rootcauses – such as loss of indigenous knowledge andweak community organisation – are much wider.

WWF-UK’s Mexico Forests Programme aims toreduce the loss of forest resources, increase thearea of protected forests, promote sustainableforest management and improve the livelihoods of people who depend on forests.

Forests are critical to the well-being of Mexico’s rural poor because theyare one of their main sources of income.

FRESHWATER IN MEXICO AND THE USThe Rio Grande, bordering Mexicoand the US, supports an exceptionalarray of wildlife, including goldeneagles and aplomado falcons,Mexican wolves and mountain lions, and some 200species of fish. It is also home to some of the fastestgrowing communities in the US and Mexico.

Due to high population growth and an ever-increasing demand for water, compounded by poor water management, there has been a history in the Rio Grande basin of over-use and reducedavailability of water resources. This has led to significantly less flow in the river and adeterioration in water quality – resulting in theloss of biodiversity, including the extinction ofsome fish species unique to the area.

Supported by HSBC, WWF’s work in the RioGrande basin and its main tributary, the RioConchos, aims to break the cycle of escalating waterexploitation, thereby restoring and conserving therivers, and letting the water flow freely once more.

Supported by HSBC, WWF’s work aims to break the cycle of escalatingwater exploitation in the Rio Grande.

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WATER FOR LIFE – BRAZILBrazil is the world’s richest countryin terms of freshwater resources. Itcontains 17 per cent of the world’savailable freshwater; the world’slargest continental wetlands (thePantanal) and flooded forests (theAmazon); and remarkable aquatic wildlife.However overuse and pollution threaten thisresource and much of Brazilian society suffersfrom drought, flood and water-borne disease.

WWF-Brazil’s Water for Life Programme,supported by HSBC, is working to improve watermanagement in Brazil, so that the resource is seenas a living system to be preserved for the good ofall, now and in the future.

This will be achieved by working with governmentand partner organisations to implement policyreforms – such as ensuring water taxes areinvested in improving the freshwater environment;providing environmental education to local leadersand communities; and demonstrating how thefloodplains and river basins can be managed forthe benefit of both people and nature.

WWF’s Water for Life Programme, supported by HSBC, seeks to promote a vision of water as a living system.

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This programme will reach as many as 115,000 local people, promoting thecreation of six new protected areas including forests, rivers and wetlands.

SOCIAL CHANGE FORCONSERVATION – COLOMBIAColombia possesses a wealth ofnatural resources such as tropicalforests, rare plants and exquisitewildlife. Building on more than 10years of experience, WWF and itsteam of specialists have embarked onan ambitious programme that will enable localcommunities to maintain important ecosystems,while improving their own wellbeing.

This programme will reach more than 100,000local people, and is promoting the creation of sixnew protected areas including forests, rivers andwetlands. It has supported the development of low-impact whale watching and aims to achieve 70 per cent protection of nesting beaches for twospecies of Pacific sea turtle.

In addition, we are supporting skills developmentto enable local organisations, communities andgovernments to resolve a range of environmentaland conservation problems.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

None of WWF’s vital work would be possiblewithout the generosity of our members, donors,supporters and volunteers. If you would like to joinWWF, make a donation, or keep up to date aboutany aspect of our work, visit our website –www.wwf.org.uk

PICTURE CREDITS

cover: DIGITAL VISIONcontents: E PARKER, WWFpage 2: TONY STONEpage 3: Left to right E PARKER, WWF-UK;

M A VALLEDERES, WWF-CANON, E PARKER, WWF-UK

page 4: M GUNTHER, WWF-CANONpage 5: C HOLLOWAY, WWF-CANONpage 6: E PARKER, WWFpage 7: E PARKER, WWFpage 8: M HARVEY, WWF-CANON

page 9: E PARKER, WWF-CANONpage 10: M HARVEY, WWF-CANONpage 11 M GUNTHER, WWF-CANONpage 12 J VAN DE KAM, WWFpage 13 LAURIE CAMPBELLpage 14 E PARKER, WWF-UKpage 16 E PARKER, WWFpage 17 E PARKER, WWF-CANONpage 18 E PARKER, WWF-CANONpage 19 E PARKER, WWFpage 20 E PARKER, WWF