Spare these trees! WWFs Forests for Life Campaign combats deforestation

Wildlife conservation in Namibia

New national organization in Brazil

Royal departure

New international president

What is a forest?

WWF's forests for life campaign targets

"Don't buy trouble"!

Lights are going out

The 1001: a nature trust

Conference news

Stamp collection offer

Special introductory offer:

You can help

Coupon

Légendes

Photos credits

Carte






header: The 1001: A Nature Trust.


WWFs loyal supporters

A large and competent organization like WWF may find it relatively easy to raise funds for a one-off specific project, especially if it has popular appeal. But whats appealing about covering operating costs? And yet, unless these are covered by a regular , reliable source of income, every project is jeopardized, and future planning is meaningless.

Here is where The 1001 come in. Who are the thousand and one? They are a special group of WWF supporters whose financial contribution underpins the organizations operating costs.

The 1001: A Nature Trust was founded in 1971 by HRH Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands, who asked a thousand men and women to join him in the defence of wildlife and the natural world. Members come from over fifty countries, and many of them are in public life. They represent for WWF an inestimable source of talent, experience, and leadership, and they demonstrate their commitment to the conservationist cause in a number of ways: not only by a substantial initial contribution (currently, $25,000), but als o by raising funds and enlisting government and corporate support for the organization. Perhaps, too, by leaving a legacy.

For inevitably, over the years, vacancies occur. When that happens, Prince Bernhard will extend an invitation to a particular individual to join The 1001: A Nature Trust. Membership is by recommendation, and most names are put forward by existing members. Nevertheless, The 1001 is not exactly a club. It has no formal agenda, and, the initial contribution made, members are free to choose whatever level of involvement they wish. What unites them is their desire to make a wholly realistic contribution to the environment, and their reward is to see practical progress.

To this end, members have the opportunity every year to join one or more specially arranged trips to places of ecological interest or importance where WWF has projects in hand. This year, for example, participants in the BrazilArgentina trip visited the Poo das Antas Biological Reserve in Rio de Janeiro State, where they admired the rare golden lion tamarin monkeys (see article on page 3). They also saw the Tamar turtle conservation project near Salvador, went to the Pantanal, the worlds largest wetlan d, and visited the spectacular Iguau Falls.