Världsnaturfonden WWF was founded in 1971 with the purpose of contributing financially to the international operations of WWF as well as setting aside funds for Swedish research, education and practical nature conservation work. The majority of WWF Sweden's current conservation work is managed internally by the organization. The primary focus for this work is to preserve biodiversity and to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, both within Sweden and globally.
Today, the priorities of the conservation work in Sweden are: Biodiversity and aquatic environment, Biodiversity and sustainable landscapes as well as Ecological footprint.
The Foundation has a Council of approximately 50 people where His Majesty the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf is the president. Half of the members of the Council are representatives from Swedish organisations, institutions and authorities. The other members are selected based on their personal merits. The Council’s role is to recommend the overall direction for the Foundation’s activities as well as appointing members to the Foundation’s Board. The Board, chaired by Björn Hägglund, has the legal and operative responsibility for the Foundation’s activities.
The secretary general is responsible for the office’s operations and the running of the office. There are about 70 full-time employees working at the office located at Ulriksdal Palace, 10 km north of central Stockholm.
Given that WWF runs its activities primarily through donated money, WWF can always act entirely freely and does not have to take any other consideration than what is best for Nature. WWF can therefore always work for Nature!
WWF
The Wolf Hunt in Sweden
The Swedish Government approved 27 wolves to be culled in a license hunt in early 2010. In total 28 were killed. A new license hunt has now been approved with a start 15 January 2011, this time 20 wolves are allowed to be shot. WWF Sweden has protested strongly against the decimation hunt as it is not in accordance with the EU legal regulations (Habitat and Species Directive) and the Swedish subpopulation is highly vulnerable due to inbreeding
Forest expert new leader at WWF Sweden
Håkan Wirtén, Forest Director at the Swedish Forest Agency, has been appointed Secretary General of WWF Sweden.