MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO - ANNUAL REPORT 2025

As President of WWF-Australia, I am privileged to witness the extraordinary commitment and generosity that drive our mission forward. This year, more than ever, I have seen how our community of supporters, partners, staff, and volunteers translates hope into action for nature and people. Our journey to regenerate nature by 2030 is ambitious, but it is the collective spirit and resilience of this community that gives me confidence in our path.

Throughout FY25, I have been inspired by the stories and people behind our progress. From Indigenous women leading on Country, to local communities restoring habitats, to innovators harnessing technology for conservation, it is people who make it possible to bring nature back. I have seen firsthand how partnerships built on trust and respect can achieve lasting change—whether it’s new Indigenous Protected Areas, the expansion of networks like Strong Women for Healthy Country, or the creative use of AI and science to solve complex challenges.

This year, we have also reflected on the lessons of the past, especially as we concluded the Australian Wildlife & Nature Recovery Fund. The response to the devastating bushfires of 2019–20 showed what is possible when we unite in the face of crisis. The legacy of that fund is not only in the hectares restored or species protected, but in the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability that now shapes our approach to every challenge.

Looking ahead, WWF-Australia is embracing renewal and innovation. We have introduced new advisory groups to strengthen our governance and ensure we listen deeply—to First Peoples, to experts in technology and AI, and to the diverse voices that make up our movement. We are committed to using new tools responsibly and ethically, always guided by our mission and values.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our partners, and the passion of our staff and volunteers. Your support is the foundation of everything we do. It is your belief in a better future that enables us to learn and adapt and to keep pushing for a world where people and nature thrive together.

Thank you for walking this path with us. Together, we are not just imagining a better future; we are making it possible.

In the second year of our strategic plan to Regenerate Nature, WWF-Australia has deepened its impact across our regenerative vision for Country, Saltwater and Sky. This progress reflects your continued support and the strength of our partnerships - from First Nations communities and local leaders to global alliances. Our work on Country continues to be guided by deep listening and co-design with First Nations Elders, rangers and communities. The expansion of the Women Rangers Environmental Network (WREN) to 647 Indigenous women rangers is a powerful testament to inclusive conservation in action. This year, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation rangers used AI-powered thermal drones to locate 52 koalas in just two nights. On Djabugay Country, rangers confirmed the presence of the culturally significant platypus (ngunba), blending Traditional Knowledge with modern technology to protect sacred species and landscapes. Our campaign to end native forest logging in NSW, working in alliance with partners, made significant progress in establishing the Great Koala National Park. While through our Koala Friendly Carbon Initiative, we’re restoring habitat for endangered koalas and generating high-integrity carbon credits, healing Country and demonstrating a regenerative economy in action. We proudly continue our support for tiger conservation across Asia, with community-led efforts reinforcing the cultural and ecological importance of these iconic species. In Saltwater, our global and local efforts to protect marine ecosystems and coastal communities have gained momentum. We helped launch BlueCorridors.org – the world’s first interactive whale migration map – using satellite data from over 1,400 whales to guide marine protection across the Eastern Pacific. In March, we supported the Second Oceania First Voices Regional Forum, where 98 First Voices Representatives and partners from across Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand gathered to shape priorities for COP31 in 2026. These dialogues are vital to strengthening community-led marine protection and amplifying Indigenous leadership across the region. We have campaigned for Australia’s pledge to ratify the High Seas Treaty and expand marine protections. Through our Oceans Leadership Blueprint, we’re advocating for the protection of 100 million hectares of southern hemisphere ocean and elevating First Nations leadership in marine governance. Under the Sky pillar, our climate resilience work reached new heights. Through Climate Resilient by Nature (CRxN), communities across the Pacific and Southeast Asia are leading the design and delivery of nature-based solutions that restore ecosystems and strengthen local preparedness. In Fiji, communities are restoring coral reefs and mangroves, cultivating heat-resilient ‘super corals’, and diversifying livelihoods. These efforts reduce disaster risks, protect biodiversity and build more resilience. In Australia, we welcomed Queensland’s new 2035 emissions reduction target of 75% below 2005 levels—a significant shift made possible through close collaboration with government and civil society. This year, we helped pave the way for the Future Made in Australia Act, unlocking $22 billion to position Australia as a global leader in clean energy and advanced manufacturing. We continued to convene diverse voices around the opportunity for Australia and the Pacific to host COP31. This year also marked the conclusion of the innovative five-year Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund (AW&NRF), which was established in response to the devastating 2019–20 bushfires. The program partnered with 190 groups and organisations, delivering 254 projects to support species recovery and landscape regeneration. As the fund wraps up, we honour the supporters who made this possible and the amazing partners who helped restore hope and habitat for Australia’s wildlife. AW&NRF not only enabled rapid response and long-term recovery, but also taught us how to adapt, innovate and collaborate at scale; insights that help shape our approach to regeneration. We are energised by the progress made and optimistic about possibilities ahead. Regenerating Nature is more than a vision – it’s a movement we’re building together. With your support, we will continue to heal, protect and restore the natural world for future generations. Together, we are making regeneration real.