Baby green turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchling swimming to the sea still in the shallows of the ... / ©: Jurgen Freund / WWF-Canon

Saving the natural world

WWF’s global mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature by:


Biodiversity comprises all the millions of different species that live on our planet – plants, animals, micro-organisms and humans.

To protect biological diversity, we must protect the environments and ecosystems in which people, plants and animals live.

In this section you will learn about WWF-Australia’s priority species and places, our Indigenous partnerships and how we contribute to global conservation efforts.

Biological diversity – or biodiversity – is the term given to the variety of life on Earth. It is the variety within and between all species of plants, animals and micro-organisms and the ecosystems within which they live and interact.

Make a donation

$50 a month helps WWF protect threatened species and their habitats throughout Australia

Other ways to support WWF

Close up of foot of chimpanzee / Close up of underside / sole of human foot (Homo sapiens) / Close ... / ©: naturepl.com / Ingo Arndt / WWF
© naturepl.com / Ingo Arndt / WWF
What is biodiversity?
Biological diversity – or biodiversity - is the variety within and between all species of plants, animals and micro-organisms and the ecosystems within which they live and interact.
Yellow-footed rock-wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus), Australia. / ©: Martin Harvey / WWF-Canon
© Martin Harvey / WWF-Canon
Wildlife & habitats
WWF focuses on conserving the world’s natural biodiversity by directly protecting wildlife and their habitats.
Boab tree, Kimberley coast, Western Australia. / ©: Aleks Terauds
© Aleks Terauds
Australian priority places
To protect as much of Australia’s biodiversity as possible, WWF has worked for many years to ensure that Australian governments have in place effective plans, strategies and legislation to safeguard the environment.
Large schooling bigeye jacks or trevallies (Caranx sexfasciatus) with green turtle (Chelonia mydas) ... / ©: Jürgen Freund / WWF-Canon
© Jürgen Freund / WWF-Canon
Oceans & marine
Oceans and coasts are important to the animals and plants that call them home, but for centuries humans have also reaped large rewards from these environments.
Mountain-ash eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus regnans), in the morning light, Australia. / ©: Martin Harvey/ WWF-Canon
© Martin Harvey/ WWF-Canon
Forests
WWF-Australia is dedicated to ensuring that Australia plays a positive role in protecting the forests of the Asia-Pacific region well into the future.
Aerial view of forest and rivers, Cape Tribulation National Park, Queensland, Australia. / ©: Martin Harvey / WWF-Canon
© Martin Harvey / WWF-Canon
Protected areas
In changing land or sea use from consumptive to nature conservation, protected areas are the most secure way to save habitat and so ensure the survival of native wildlife.
Antarctic Ocean Alliance promo

Adopt an animal

  • Panthera tigris altaica Amur tiger Juvenile resting Metro Toronto Zoo

    Tiger

    Your adoption of Kamrita the tiger will help WWF protect these big cats in the wild.

    Tiger

    or Adopt an animal

  • Bornean Pygmy elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) mother walking with her calf along a road in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, North Borneo, Malaysia.

    Pygmy elephant

    The Borneo pygmy elephant is now in danger of extinction and WWF estimates that there are as few as 1,500 individuals pygmy elephants remaining in the wild.

    Pygmy elephant

    or Adopt an animal

  • Orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus), baby Semengoh Rehabilitation Center Sarawak, Borneo, Indonesia.

    Orang-utan

    Your adoption of Koyah will help WWF protect orang-utans in the wild through our campaign to stop habitat loss, hunting and illegal trade.

    Orang-utan

    or Adopt an animal

  • Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Sipadan Island, Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia. 19 June 2009.

    Marine turtle

    Your adoption of Hector the turtle will help WWF to protect marine turtles around Australia.

    Marine turtle

    or Adopt an animal

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Building a future in which people and nature thrive.

Photos and graphics © WWF or used with permission. Text available under a Creative Commons licence.