© WWF-US / Darren Higgins
WWF's Panda Ambassador program
Your commitment + Our support = Saving nature together
You've pitched in. You've done your part. And now you're ready to do more.
The Panda Ambassador program is the ultimate next level of engagement for those committed to saving wildlife and the environment while supporting WWF. Your enthusiasm, ideas, and unique perspective, plus our worldwide reach and expertise, equal an unstoppable force for good. Together we can make a real, lasting impact on the future of our planet.
Panda Ambassadors are on the frontlines of environmental activism, leading their communities to engage the public and inspire real change. Panda Ambassadors host fun and educational events and activities, lead groups in marches and protests, and meet with politicians and business leaders.
We’re always looking for people who are ready to lead an environmental movement today, and who might just be leading the country tomorrow. If you think you’ve got what it takes, apply today.
Become a Panda Ambassador
Join our community and lead an environmental movement.
© Courtesy of Talia Garrido
Why you should join
Forget the status quo
We don’t have to continue the same destructive practices of previous generations. There are new, innovative, Earth-friendly ways to do everything. Our job as Panda Ambassadors is to show others that there are viable alternatives to the status quo.
© WWF
We 🧡 wildlife
Like you, we're big fans of the incredible diversity of life on Earth. Our Panda Ambassadors help mobilize on the local level, championing legislation to protect at-risk species, and curbing demand for illegal products both in our communities and on the world market.
© Shadrach Mwaba / WWF Zambia
This Panda has your back
The good news is that as a Panda Ambassador, you’re not alone. Across the country, our ambassadors are connected to share resources, ideas, experiences, and support. You’ll also be part of the WWF family—a network of experienced scientists and experts working on behalf of the planet.
© Panda Ambassador Program
What you'll do
Panda Ambassadors impact the world around them in countless ways
© WWF-US / Karine Aigner
Educate
The first step to behavior change is education. As a Panda Ambassador, you’ll explain to others how environmental issues can affect their lives, why they should care, and what they can do to help. Panda Ambassadors give presentations, host and attend events, and have one-on-one chats with community leaders. As an ambassador for WWF in your community, you will demonstrate the local relevance of global issues like climate change, wildlife crime, and food scarcity. You’ll also help people understand how their individual actions, behavior, and purchases have a global impact.
Inspire
Creating a better world doesn’t have to be a chore. Panda Ambassadors inspire people to care about the planet by having fun and connecting on a deeper level. It’s your creativity, new ideas, and enthusiasm that will make the most difference. Some ambassadors engage the public through works of art, creative and persuasive writing, hosting athletic activities like yoga or running, or even hosting parties with music and dancing. You are encouraged to leverage your talents and interests, whatever they may be, to attract others and get them involved.
Lead
Panda Ambassadors are the on-the-ground leaders of a new environmental movement, responsible for drumming up the local support that allows WWF to achieve big wins. You’ll lead your community’s participation in international WWF initiatives like Earth Hour and climate marches. You’ll coordinate support for changes in policy, laws, and business practices. You’ll stand up for your community—be it a college campus or an entire city—and lead it toward a more sustainable, Earth-friendly future.
Together, we're unstoppable
Learn what drives our Panda Ambassadors
© Jack Huynh / Orange Photography / WWF-US
Jennifer Tribble | Durham, N.C.
Why did you decide to apply to the Panda Ambassador program?
Before applying to the program, I followed WWF’s projects and advocacy work. In particular, I appreciate the work that WWF does bridging science to effective advocacy and environmental work across the world. When I saw the Panda Ambassador program, which was an opportunity to engage locally and raise awareness around some of WWF’s priority projects, I knew I wanted to be a part of that group.
What do you think is the most important thing people can do to help save the planet?
Vote! Find candidates and propositions that support environmental protections, and use your vote to elect representatives who will fight for our planet and our natural resources.
What gives you hope for the future?
I have a lot of hope for the future! One thing that gives me hope is seeing the younger generation standing up to fight for our planet and sustainability. There are so many kids doing inspirational and groundbreaking things, whether that’s fighting through legal battles, doing advocacy work, or starting their own companies. I am also inspired by the number of companies, large and small, that are shifting toward more sustainable products and manufacturing methods.
Jessica Miles | McLean, Va.
Why did you decide to apply to the Panda Ambassador program?
Being a Panda Ambassador has been an empowering experience that I am grateful to be a part of. I would encourage anyone who is looking to do more to help make the world better to apply to the program.
What have you done as a Panda Ambassador that you are most proud of?
Participating in Lobby Day this year was incredibly rewarding for me. I never really pictured myself getting an opportunity like that. I really enjoyed listening to presentations on how to tell our story, meeting other Panda Ambassadors, and practicing the day before we met with our representatives.
What do you think is the most important thing people can do to help save the planet?
When it comes to the environment, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and paralyzed at the sheer magnitude of what we’re facing. But doing something that feels manageable (even if it seems small and ridiculous) can be impactful. If you’ve never worked out in your life, you don’t wake up one morning and go run a marathon. You build up to it. Sometimes painfully slowly. The same is true about taking action on the environment.
What gives you hope for the future?
I’d say it’s more like determination than hope. Given everything happening both abroad and domestically, it’s a lot to handle. Plus, I think if you are just blindly hopeful about the future, you’re not really paying attention. But that's not a reason to stop fighting. The only thing I can give is everything I’ve got—and I think a healthy, sustainable planet is worth fighting for.
Steven Zampieri | New York, N.Y.
Why did you decide to apply to the Panda Ambassador program?
After months of watching the US government take a regressive approach on environmental issues (including its stance on fossil fuels, national parks funding, and the Paris climate accord), I felt like I needed to get involved. Since the health of the planet is reflected by the health of the animals around us, I'm hopeful that if we're able to take care of them, they'll actually be taking care of us. WWF's Panda Ambassador program is a great fit for me, allowing me to keep my day job and still have an impact.
What have you done as a Panda Ambassador that you are most proud of?
Lobby Day in March was a terrific experience. I felt energized by hearing from other Panda Ambassadors, getting a deeper understanding of important legislation, and connecting directly with our elected officials to let them know that voters care about environmental issues and expect Congress to act accordingly.
What do you think is the most important thing people can do to help save the planet?
Tweak our lifestyles to reduce our carbon footprints—recycle, eat less meat, buy fewer things that last longer—and generally be conscious of what we take from the world around us. If we all try to take a little less and give back where possible, we'll make tremendous strides toward a better, more sustainable world.
What gives you hope for the future?
I'm encouraged by the surging numbers of consumers and employees who seek out companies that give back socially and environmentally, and I'm hopeful that this demand can create a positive feedback loop that sets us on the right track for sustainability.
Ready to join the program?
As a Panda Ambassador, you can stop worrying about problems and start solving them.
© Courtesy of Nicole Ortiz