Influencing Policy
Overview
Sound public policy is critical to the success of long-term conservation efforts across the globe. WWF works to secure transformative change at all levels of government in the U.S. and overseas. We partner with and advocate for the U.S. government, foreign governments and international institutions to protect wildlife and their habitats.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers remarks at the Partnership Meeting on Wildlife Trafficking, at the Department of State in November, 2012. WWF wildlife trade expert Crawford Allan also spoke at the event.
Cities Commit to Prepare for Climate Change
Local governments across the U.S. join WWF’s inaugural Earth Hour City Challenge.
What WWF Is Doing
Strengthening and Changing Policies
WWF advocates for governments and international institutions like the World Bank to adopt, enforce and strengthen policies that promote biodiversity and responsible natural resource management. We also provide them with the support and technical assistance they need to do so. By seeking smarter solutions to conservation challenges, our work ensures that public laws and policies – at the local, national, regional and international level – create a more sustainable future for people, wildlife and natural resources.
Supporting and Informing U.S. Government Officials
WWF collaborates with the U.S. Congress and administration to further conservation through legislative and regulatory approaches. We also partner with U.S. government agencies to implement programs that support healthy ecosystems and the sustainable use of natural resources.
We inform policymakers about the most effective and efficient ways to protect the species and places we care about most. WWF focuses on several issues critical to U.S. policymakers, including species conservation, ocean policy, natural resource management, climate change and international development assistance. Our policy advocacy has helped direct additional resources to critical species. The Save Vanishing Species stamp was created by the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act, which passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. WWF proposed the original idea in 2000 and played a major role in securing approval of the stamp. The sale of the semipostal stamp provided Americans with a way to voluntarily support conservation overseas.
WWF collaborates with business leaders and other non-governmental organizations to ensure policymakers understand conservation issues from several perspectives. As a result, sound public policy delivers meaningful on-the-ground conservation gains.
Providing Smarter Ways to Achieve Conservation Results
WWF works to gain a better understanding of global conservation problems and provides new tools to help policymakers solve them.
Latest News
Publications
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Letter to President Obama on Environmental Policy
application/pdf, 37 KBA letter to President Obama outlining major policy initiatives WWF would like to see addressed during the second term of his presidency.
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International Conservation Budget 2012
application/pdf, 7.41 MBThe International Conservation Budget 2012 summarizes the international conservation programs funded by the U.S. government. It is produced annually by WWF, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, and Wildlife Conservation Society.
Experts
Will Gartshore
Senior Program Officer, U.S. Government Relations Program
Bill Eichbaum
Vice President, Marine & Arctic Policy
Leigh Henry
Senior Policy Advisor, Species Conservation & Advocacy
David Reed
Senior Vice President, Policy
Karin Krchnak
Director, Freshwater Program
How You Can Help
Take Action
Join the Conservation Action Network, where you can speak up for species and places.
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