50 years of advancing conservation

Fifty years ago, WWF was born into a world just beginning to recognize the devastating impact humans were having on the natural environment. A few committed individuals came together to create WWF with a broad vision. Conservation is more than saving endangered species, protecting forests, and preventing pollution, said WWF founder Max Nicholson, “it is inescapably concerned with the future conduct, welfare and indeed survival of mankind on this planet” – an early recognition of sustainable development.

WWF has since grown to be a truly global and highly respected conservation organization, built on an understanding of the complex relationship between human activities and the natural environment, a focus on finding workable solutions, and an ability to mobilize action.

WWF is not just about saving endangered species, forests or coral reefs – it is also about people.

Celebrating 50 Years in Indonesia and Looking to the Future
WWF started working in Indonesia in 1962. We are almost 50 years!

In 2012, WWF-Indonesia will celebrate five decades of achieving remarkable milestones of WWF conservation efforts in Indonesia, one of the world most biodiversity countries.

In this special landmark, we know that there’s still work to be done. The protection of wildlife and wild places around the world, especially in Indonesia requires constant vigilance.

Species extinction, forest destruction and global warming are some of the greatest challenges facing our generation. So in this year of celebration, we are not just looking back, but actively moving forward and working for the future.

Like our founders half a century ago, we will begin our next 50 years of conservation work with a strong determination and a message of hope for all: that together, we can protect life on earth for generations to come.

In conjunction to celebrate our 5oth Anniversary, we are now preparing series of activities. The aim of the activities is firstly to thank supporters, partners and conservation champions, also to highlight key WWF conservation achievements over these 50 years, and to prepare the organisation for the challenges of the future.

As a Program Office of WWF International, in 1962, WWF started its early stage main activities for surveys and research on mammal species, especially the endangered rhinoceros and tigers on the islands of Java and Sumatra.

In 1996, WWF obtained legal entity in Indonesia and was registered as an independent foundation and transformed into WWF-Indonesia in 1998 as National Organization within the WWF Global Network.

Almost half of century later, in 2012, WWF has achieved not only preservation of habitats vital to the survival of the endangered species, but also reduction of the wider impact of people on the environment. WWF-Indonesia’s ultimate goal is to stop and eventually reverse environmental degradation and to build a future where people live in harmony with nature.

WWF-Indonesia has now more than 400 staffs working from 26 field offices across Indonesia, with three thematic programs: Forest, Freshwater, and Terrestrial Species; Marine and Marine Species; and Climate and Energy.

We strive to save the diversity of species by promoting sustainable and best practices that ensure continued social and economic benefits to local communities and other resource users. We also work with various stakeholders to restore damaged ecosystems and mitigate various threats such as climate change and toxic chemicals, some vital preconditions need to be in place for effective conservation to happen. These include empowered citizens, responsible governments and businesses and strong conservation policies.

To date, WWF-Indonesia works with an evergrowing number of businesses to help them develop sustainable practices and promote corporate social responsibility initiatives. Companies’ efforts, in partnership with WWF’s global reach and scientific expertise, will lead the way in a movement that can transform business and save our planet in the process.