September 2010

"The essence of WWF is our ability to mobilize people, institutions and governments to help save species."

All living things are born with their very essence—their DNA—embedded in every cell. The same can be said of conservation groups working around the world: I would contend that the central driving ethos of each one is baked in at the moment it takes shape. And we forget that DNA at our peril.

Some organizations were created to conduct science in the field and continue to do so, while others were born to acquire land and remain strong on transactions to conserve habitat. WWF was born nearly 50 years ago in a coordinated campaign between Europe and the U.S. to save the black rhino. Today, the black rhino population has significantly rebounded—and its preservation stands as one of our proudest accomplishments.

The essence of WWF is our ability to mobilize people, institutions and governments to help save species. But of course conservation is more complicated than that. Almost without exception, to save a species you need to focus not only on its existence but also on its habitat, typically at scale. You must focus on working with communities and governments, and be increasingly mindful of global threats like climate change. But animals remain our point of entry into conservation.

The American bison inspired the launch of our Northern Great Plains program. These grasslands remain one of the least-protected places on Earth, with less than two percent of the region's 180 million acres under conservation management. Our ambitious vision here involves the restoration of 3 million acres and centers on the return of bison herds and blackfooted ferrets, a species found only in the Great Plains. We are making great strides with the bison and working hard to restore the ferrets.

We need this kind of optimism and success in Asia, too, where in the Year of the Tiger we have redoubled our efforts to save this magnificent cat. As few as 3,200 remain in the wild, and habitat stands at 7 percent of its historic extent. So we've just launched a partnership with Leonardo DiCaprio to shut down poachers in 13 tiger landscapes, engage heads of state in making commitments of resources and protection, and more.

Our goal is to double the tiger population by 2022, the next Year of the Tiger. This partnership, like so many others, rests on the premise that when we tell the story of animals and what they need it inspires conservation of not just their habitat, but ours as well.

I encourage you to visit SaveTigersNow.org and learn how you can help.

- Carter S. Roberts