World Wildlife Fund

2008

Sumatran Elephant and Tiger Habitat Protected

The government of Indonesia committed to more than double the size of Sumatra’s Tesso Nilo National Park, one of the last havens for endangered Sumatran elephants and critically endangered Sumatran tigers.

Clean Energy Tax Incentives Extended

Congress extended tax incentives that encourage individuals and businesses to install renewable energy systems and build energy-efficient buildings, which will help slow climate change.

Illegal Logging Ban Enacted

The United States became the first country in the world to prohibit the import and sale of illegally-sourced wood and wood products. Orangutans, Siberian tigers and many other species around the globe that depend on forest habitat will benefit from this legislation.

New Funding Approved for Conservation on Farm and Ranch Lands 

Congress passed a farm bill that authorizes $4 billion in new conservation funding. Farmers and ranchers play a huge role in protecting our environment through their stewardship of the land.

House Passes Great Cats and Rare Canids Act

The House of Representatives passed the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act, a bill to protect imperiled species such as lions, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, Ethiopian wolves and African wild dogs.

WWF Supporters Switch Their Lights Off for "Earth Hour 2008"

WWF supporters were among the estimated 36 million Americans, and 50 million people around the world, who turned off their lights for one hour on March 29, 2008, to demonstrate their commitment to slowing the effects of climate change.

House Passes Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act

A bill to protect tropical forests and coral reefs passed the U.S. House of Representatives. A similar bill passed a key senate committee.

Tennessee Streams Safe From Pollution

Legislation that would have allowed pollution and degradation of nearly half the stream mileage in Tennessee was defeated.

2007

Florida Maintains Manatee's Endangered Status

The state of Florida did not downgrade manatees from endangered to threatened, which would have removed important protections needed by this gentle marine giant.

Breeding Tigers for Trade Soundly Rejected

In a major victory for conservation, raising captive tigers for trade in their parts was rejected by members of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

California Marine Reserves Created

The California Fish and Game Commission  adopted a plan to create 29 marine protected areas off the coast of central California.  Together the reserves ban or severely restrict fishing within 18 percent of the waters, allowing depleted fisheries and stressed marine ecosystems to recover.

2006

Paraguay Extends Zero Deforestation Law

Paraguay extended a law that is helping to safeguard the Upper Parana Atlantic Forest, one of the world's most ecologically important regions and home to jaguars, harpy eagles and other threatened species. 

Huge Marine Reserve in Florida Keys Receives Final Approvals

Final approvals were granted for creation of a  197-square nautical mile no-fishing zone in the Florida Keys. The Tortugas Ecological Reserve protects high-biodiversity coral reefs, productive spawning grounds, and lush seagrass beds. WWF activists have spoken out for the reserve since 1999, when the approval process began.

Congress Doesn't Weaken the Endangered Species Act

The House passed legislation that would have seriously weakened the federal Endangered Species Act, our bulwark against extinction, but the Senate fortunately did not follow suit before Congress adjourned, and the initiative died.  

Fisheries Management Law Strengthened

Congress reauthorized and strengthened the law governing the management of our nation's ocean fisheries. The legislation improves protections against overfishing of dwindling stocks, including imposing stiffer penalties for illegal fishing in international waters. 

California Wilderness Designated

Congress designated 275,000 acres of federal land in northern California as wilderness and gave wild and scenic status to 21 miles of river, protecting habitat for many endangered species.

U.S. Wild Forests Protected

A federal judge reinstated a rule that prevents road-building, logging, and other development on 58.5 million acres of wild undisturbed national forestland.  The judge threw out an alternate Bush administration plan that required governors to petition the federal government for protection of their state's roadless areas.

World's Largest Marine Reserve Created

President Bush designated the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as a national monument, creating the world's largest marine reserve and sparing the area the damage that human activities have inflicted on most U.S. ocean ecosystems.

Captured Endangered Sumatran Elephants are Released

Eight of 10 endangered Sumatran elephants that had been captured by government translocation teams were released in May 2006 into Tesso Nilo National Park, seven weeks after they were found chained to trees without food or water.

Florida Keys' Designation as an Area of Critical Concern is Maintained

The state legislature did not remove the Keys' designation as an Area of Critical State Concern.  The Keys are already stressed and removing the designation would have taken away key state protections.  

2005

Outcome Positive from International Climate Change Meeting

World goverments finalized the ground rules for the first phase of the Kyoto climate change protocol and set the stage for discussions to further cut carbon emissions after the protocol expires in 2012.

Attempt to Open Arctic Refuge to Oil Drilling Fails

A serious threat to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was overcome when the U.S. Senate voted to to strip a provision allowing oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from an unrelated bill.

More Funding for Rhinos, Tigers, Great Apes, Elephants, Sea Turtles, and Neotropical Migratory Birds

WWF activists helped once again to increase funding for the conservation of these imperiled species, up to a total of $10.5 million.

Florida Coral Reef Protection Moves Closer to Reality

Florida's governor and cabinet approved a management agreement that is needed to create a marine protected area in Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys.

Greatest Threats to Land Conservation are Averted

An outpouring of support for private land conservation halted a plan to scale back tax incentives that help motivate people to protect land in the United States and led the Senate, instead, to increase the incentives for conservation. 

Legislation to Protect Roadless Areas is Introduced With Strong Support

A bill that would protect America's last pristine wild forests from logging and energy development was introduced in the House with 143 cosponsors.

New Tennessee Law Protects Aquatic Biodiversity

Tennessee activists helped pass a state law that will allow citizens to challenge water pollution permits issued to companies. The new law will protect the state's rivers and streams, many of which are unusually rich in aquatic biodiversity.

Strong Foundation Laid for New Mexico Water Conservation Legislation

Activists made good progress in building support for a bill that would conserve water and save wildlife in New Mexico. It was introduced in both chambers of the state legislature and won the approval of a key committee.

2004

Trade Protections Approved for Asian Rain Forest Tree

The member nations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species adopted trade protections for ramin, which is threatened by illegal logging and unsustainable trade. Endangered tigers, orangutans, and other species, which live in the peat forest swamps where ramin grows, will also benefit from the protections.

Tropical Forest Conservation Law Reauthorized

Congress and President Bush agreed to reauthorize the Tropical Forest Conservation Act for three years. Since its enactment in 1998, the act has protected millions of acres of tropical forests and countless rain forest species while simultaneously easing the foreign debt burden of developing nations.

Sea Turtle Law Enacted

Congress passed a bill that will help in the recovery and protection of marine turtles by providing financial assistance for projects in foreign countries to protect nesting marine turtles and their habitat, prevent illegal trade in marine turtle parts and products, and support community outreach and education.

Landmark Toxics Treaty Becomes Law

The Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants became binding international law. The treaty will, for the first time in history, eliminate or severely restrict the use and production of a whole range of man-made chemicals that are directly toxic to humans and wildlife.

Offshore Oil Drilling Moratorium Intact

Language calling for an inventory of potential oil and gas resources in the entire outer continental shelf was bumped out of national energy legislation. Such an inventory could have been the first step toward overturning a long-standing offshore oil drilling moratorium that protects these fragile areas.

Congress Nixes Plan that Threatened Alaska Fish and Wildlife

Congress removed from a spending bill language that would have prevented federal funds from being spent to protect essential fish habitat and marine ecosystems in the waters off Alaska including recently-discovered deep water coral and sponge habitats from destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling. Also removed were incentives for resuming fishing for depleted pollock fish stocks.

Support Increasing for Endocrine Disruptor Legislation

The number of cosponsors of the Environmental Health Research Act jumped from 32 to 74 in the House and from 1 to 5 in the Senate after WWF activists started speaking out. The bill calls for a badly-needed government-wide program of research on chemicals that disrupt the hormones of people and wildlife.

Baltic Sea Gets Special Protection

One of the world's most extraordinary seas was given the protection it deserves when the International Maritime Organization designated the Baltic Sea as a "Particularly Sensitive Sea Area."

Ecuador Rethinks Agreement With Fishermen in the Galápagos

In early 2004, the Ecuadorian government stepped back from an agreement it had reached with protesting local fishermen that could have spelled big problems down the road for the Galápagos Islands’ fragile marine environment and the people who depend on it.

Arctic Refuge Still Safe

National energy legislation pending in Congress did not authorize drilling in the Arctic Refuge. And, after both Republicans and Democrats in Congress raised objections, Congressional leaders chose not to assume in the fiscal year 2005 budget bill that revenues from oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would contribute to federal income. Including the revenues would have made it easier for legislators to authorize oil and gas development in the refuge.

Funding Approved for Florida Keys Water Quality Protection

Congress approved $2.5 million for wastewater and stormwater treatment in the Florida Keys, which will help save the Keys’ imperiled coral reef ecosystem and fisheries from the water pollution that threatens their survival.

2003

A Big Win for the Great Barrier Reef

The Australian parliament agreed to protect more than 27,000,000 acres of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park -- creating the largest network of marine sanctuaries on Earth.

Mozambique Law Expected to Save 5,000 Marine Turtles Each Year

Mozambique approved legislation that requires fishing trawlers to fit their nets with devices that will allow marine turtles caught in the nets to escape through a trap door rather than drowning.

Huge Response to Gorilla Crisis

Conservation Action Network activists raised more than $19,000 in response to an appeal to help stop gorilla deaths. Habitat loss, poaching for a growing commercial bushmeat trade, and most recently an outbreak of Ebola that is affecting human and ape populations alike, threaten to decimate Africa's population of lowland gorillas and other great apes.

Another Increase in Funding for Rhinos, Tigers, Elephants, Great Apes, and Neotropical Migratory Birds

WWF activists helped boost the funding for protection of these imperiled species up to $9.5 million for fiscal year 2004, a four-fold increase since 2000.

Funding Restored for Tennessee Wetlands, Parks, and Farmland

The Tennessee General Assembly rejected a proposal to permanently divert funds for protection of wetlands, parks, and agricultural lands and instead restored $3.5 million for these programs.

Back Door Attempt Fails to Open Arctic Refuge to Drilling

Your tens of thousands of messages helped prevent Arctic refuge drilling legislation from sneaking through Congress. Thanks for your steadfast support in protecting this spectacular wilderness.

Public's Right to Comment is Upheld

The U.S. Forest Service dropped a plan that would have restricted how the public can submit comments on forest management plans, amendments, or revisions. The Forest Service had been planning to reject form letters, such as those sent by many WWF activists.

Fishing Ban Will Protect Rare Dolphin

New Zealand's Minister of Fisheries banned set nets from portions of the New Zealand coast in order to protect the critically endangered Maui's dolphin. Although more protections are needed, the ban is a critical step in conserving this rare marine mammal.

Everglades Water Flow Restoration Plan Back on Track

Congress approved a compromise that will allow resumption of the water flows that are essential to the health and restoration of the Everglades.

More Funding for Biodiversity Conservation Around the Globe

In the fiscal 2003 budget, Congress significantly increased the U.S. contribution to the World Bank's Global Environment Facility -- the only international financial institution devoted to protecting the global environment -- and boosted funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development's biodiversity conservation fund.

Environmental Education Program Safe

A proposal to transfer the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's environmental education program to the National Science Foundation was unsuccessful and Congress restored funding for the program.

2002

Bill to Weaken Endangered Species Act Dies in Congress

Congress adjourned without approving a bill that would have weakened the crucial protections of the Endangered Species Act.

Chilean Sea Bass Conservation Advanced

The member countries of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species unanimously approved a resolution to voluntarily report catches of Chilean sea bass. This is a small but significant step toward reducing the rampant pirate fishing that is wiping out whole populations of this species across the Southern Hemisphere.

Mozambique Thank You Messages Appreciated

Mozambique's president and several regional officials greatly appreciated the 5,800 messages Conservation Action Network activists sent thanking them for safeguarding two globally outstanding areas. Your messages helped strengthen our relationship with Mozambique's leaders and will help shape our work with other governments in the region as well.

Roadless Areas Protected

A federal appeals court reinstated a rule designed to protect nearly 60 million acres of national forests from road construction and logging. The Forest Service originally adopted the rule during the Clinton administration. The Bush administration has refused to implement the rule and is preparing a new rule that will remove many of the protections for roadless lands that are vitally important to wildlife. But, for now at least, the rule is back in place.

Fishing Banned From Marine Vaquita's Home

The Mexican government has barred most commercial fishermen from the northern Gulf of California, home to the highly endangered marine vaquita. WWF is concerned, however, about gaps in implementing the fishing ban that could undermine the protection it was intended to provide. We may need to call on you for help again.

Threat to National Monuments Averted

Stiff opposition helped kill a plan by some members of the U.S. House of Representatives that would have weakened the president’s authority to create new national monuments. Some of our nation’s most popular and important protected areas, including the Grand Canyon and Olympic National Park, got their starts as national monuments.

California Passes Landmark Clean Cars Legislation

California passed a law that will reduce the heat-trapping gases emitted by cars and trucks. Our hope is that California's leadership will spur other states and the federal government to follow suit.

Jaguar Habitat Protected

You helped fend off an attempt by several members of Peru's congress to undermine a sustainable forestry law in that country. The motion was defeated and efforts to safeguard millions of hectares of the richest and largest tracts of intact tropical rain forest on Earth are back on track.

Rare Cave Species Protected

Tennessee activists helped defeat a plan that would have allowed up to 250,000 gallons per day of sewage effluent to contaminate one of the most biologically significant caves in eastern North America.

U.S. Senate Rejects Oil Drilling in Arctic Refuge

In a crucial vote, the U.S. Senate defeated a proposal to open the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. Conservation Action Network activists played a key role in the victory, sending more than 50,000 messages to the Senate before the vote.

Officials Halt Logging in Rain Forest

The Chilean government sued a logging company that was clear cutting native forests in Chile and a local judge has enjoined the company from any further logging on its properties.

2001

Oregon Ski Resort Plan Dropped

A developer withdrew plans for a huge ski resort in Oregon in one of the most important surviving wilderness areas in the United States.

Funding Increased for Rhinos, Tigers, Elephants, Great Apes, and Neotropical Migratory Birds

President Bush signed into law significant funding increases for these imperiled species -- from $3.25 million in fiscal year 2001 to $7 million in fiscal year 2002. These much-needed funds will be used for conserving protected areas, preventing poaching, monitoring populations, translocating animals, and mitigating conflicts between animals and people.

More U.S. Support for Biodiversity Conservation Around the Globe

Congress called on the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) to spend at least $100 million for fiscal year 2002 for biodiversity conservation programs. AID funds go to local communities for on-the-ground projects to manage natural resources and protect some of the world's rarest and most threatened biodiversity.

Funding Approved for "Endocrine Disruptors" Programs

President Bush signed into law a bill providing $20.3 million to screen, test, and study the harmful effects of synthetic chemicals known as endocrine disruptors. These funds are desperately needed to increase our knowledge of these widespread chemicals that disrupt the functioning of hormone systems.

Florida's Tortugas Marine Reserve Becomes Nation's Largest No-Fishing Zone

Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet voted unanimously to approve the Tortugas Reserve, protecting an irreplaceable, high-biodiversity coral reef ecosystem. The reserve will also help replenish depleted fisheries throughout the Keys and beyond.

Toxic Chemicals Treaty Signed

The United States and 90 other countries signed an important global treaty that will, for the first time in history, eliminate or severely restrict the use and production of a whole range of man-made chemicals that are directly toxic to humans and wildlife.

New England Governors Adopt Plan to Curb Global Warming

The governors of New England and the premiers of Canada's eastern provinces adopted a far-reaching plan to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to promote clean energy policies for the region. This strong plan will go a long way toward averting the threats that global warming poses to New England.

Dogfish Sharks Protected

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted to extend an emergency action that closes state waters to fishing for the imperiled and vulnerable Atlantic spiny dogfish shark. The spiny dogfish shark has been under serious threat since its numbers were devastated by heavy fishing in the 1990s in the waters off the mid-Atlantic states and New England.

Proposed Airport That Threatened South Florida Ecosystem is Rejected

President Clinton rejected a proposed airport development in South Florida, not far from Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, that would have threatened sensitive wildlife and habitat with noise, air, and water pollution.

Conservation Action Network Web Site Wins Award

The 2001 International Web Page Awards recognized the Conservation Action Network Web site as an "excellent example of superior website design" and granted us a Certificate of Creative Achievement for the site's redesign in the fall of 2001.

2000

Everglades Restoration Authorized

The U.S. Congress approved legislation authorizing the first phases of an $8 billion restoration of the Everglades. The bill is a major milestone in a long, ambitious, but critically important national effort to save one of the world's most unique and imperiled ecosystems.

Pesticide Banned

Conservation Action Network activists in the United States won a tremendous victory when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos for nearly all household purposes and placed restrictions on its use on apples, grapes, and tomatoes. Highly toxic, chlorpyrifos is the most widely used insecticide in the United States.

Soda Mountain Declared a National Monument

President Clinton designated ecologically rich public lands in the Soda Mountain area of southern Oregon as the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The monument designation will provide much-needed protection by helping to relieve pressures from logging, mining, off-road vehicles, and habitat lost to accelerating urban growth.

Right Whale Funding Increased

The U.S. Congress increased funding for conservation of the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale to $5 million.

New Pesticide Rejected

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency decided not to permit the use of a new chemical, chlorfenapyr, as a pesticide because it poses an unreasonable risk to birds. This is a tremendous victory and a rare example of EPA denying registration of a pesticide solely because of risks to birds.

Shark Finning Prohibited

The U.S. Congress passed the Shark Finning Prohibition Act, a giant step forward for shark conservation. The law bans shark finning in all U.S. waters and commits the United States to addressing the problem internationally.

1999

Russian Whaling Halted

A huge outcry from Conservation Action Network participants helped convince the Russians to call off the first international commercial trade of beluga whale meat. Although the Russians killed 36 whales before calling off the hunt, we were able to prevent much larger-scale hunting and a dangerous precedent for trade that is unsustainable.

Right Whale Funding Increased

The U.S. Congress increased funding for conservation of the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale by $3 million, for a total of $4.1 million.

1998

Galápagos Islands Protected

Activists successfully pushed for passage of the Galápagos Special Law, a series of sweeping new protective measures for the ecologically rich Galápagos Islands. The law's passage was a landmark in the effort to conserve and protect these singular islands and their unique plants and animals. Among other things, it created the Galápagos Marine Reserve, the second largest marine reserve in the world.

Rhino and Tiger Product Labeling Act Passed

The U.S. Congress passed the Rhino and Tiger Product Labeling Act, which made it illegal in the United States to import or export any product claiming to contain ingredients made from tigers or rhinos.