Swinging into action: French golf tees off for biodiversity conservation

The Jiangsu Yancheng Wetland Rare Birds National Nature Reserve has the largest and most intact intertidal ecosystem on the western coast of the Pacific and the eastern edge of the Eurasian continent. It serves as an important stopover for water birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and protects the largest wild red-crowned crane wintering population in China. Over the past 40 years, the reserve has carried out extensive work in coastal wetland and wildlife protection, scientific monitoring and research, publicity and nature education, and the transformation of the value of ecological products. It has continuously improved its construction and management level, made unremitting efforts in the practice and demonstration of protection, development, and support functions, and effectively protected the biological and cultural diversity within the area. It plays an important role in maintaining ecological security and showcasing ecological image.

This initiative is part of the Sparsa Solution, a Nepali non-profit organization that locally produces and distributes compostable menstrual pads with an absorbent core made from banana fiber.

To scale impact and ensure sustainability, Sparsa actively builds strong relationships with government bodies, grassroots organizations, and global partners. We engage municipalities, schools, and women-led NGOs to expand awareness, build trust, and ensure our solutions are locally relevant and widely accessible. We are a proud member of the Menstrual Health Management Partner Alliance (MHMPA) Nepal, enabling national-level advocacy and knowledge exchange. By completing all legal steps and aligning with government frameworks, we ensure full compliance and credibility. These partnerships—ranging from policy support to grassroots mobilization—have enabled Sparsa to extend its reach, foster innovation, and integrate menstrual health into broader development goals.

Rosewood (Dalbergia spp.) and Dipterocarpus macrocarpus are among the most logged and traded tropical timbers in Southeast Asia due to high demand from the luxury furniture market. Extensive illegal logging and trade have led to local extinction or severe population declines across its range. In response, we propose a community-based conservation program in the Central Annamites, Vietnam. The initiative includes establishing community nurseries, replanting rosewood in known habitats, and protecting remaining mature mother trees through the creation of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in community forests. This integrated approach will safeguard vital seed sources, support long-term species recovery, and actively engage local communities. In doing so, it will also create alternative income streams through seedling production, participation in restoration efforts, and access to carbon credits and other green financing opportunities.

Clean and healthy waters are vital for human health, food security, reversing nature loss, climate resilience, and sustainable development. Yet rivers, lakes, and coasts are under threat, affecting life on Earth and sports like Rowing, which depend on these ecosystems. To take action, World Rowing deepened its partnership with WWF International by launching the Healthy Waters Alliance, shifting from awareness to impact. The Alliance unites World Rowing and WWF communities to co-create and deliver projects that protect and restore waters essential to rowers, wildlife, communities, and economies. Projects can be initiated by National Rowing Federations, clubs, athletes, event organisers, or local WWF offices. The Healthy Waters Alliance Guide outlines the process for collaboration. In 2024, the Italian Rowing Federation and WWF Italy launched a seabed clean-up with a local NGO, and clubs joined Adopt a Beach, tackling plastic pollution. In 2025, Ambassador Martin Helseth led a clean-up of the Oslo fjord with clubs, NGOs & WWF.

In Cameroon and other resource-limited countries, marine wildlide data relies heavily on anecdotal reports and one-off surveys, leading to substantial knowledge gaps that hinder effective conservation efforts. The scarcity of scientific expertise, combined with the high cost of dedicated boat surveys, presents a significant barrier to marine wildlife research and conservation.

Fishers and marine species share habitats and resources on a daily basis, creating potential for fishers to act as citizen scientists. We established a network of over 80 fishers who regularly report marine wildlife sightings using a Smartphone App, SIREN. This user-friendly app, compatible with Android and iOS, allows fishermen to document marine mega-fauna sightings, and to capture and upload up to four photographs, along with additional information such as a description. The App automatically associates a location and date with the report, providing data that can be used to co-design conservation measures.

The East Kilimanjaro landscape in Kenya, covering Kajiado South sub-county (approximately 6,411 km²), encompasses diverse ecosystems, including rangelands suffering from severe degradation. To counter degradation, a forest landscape restoration (FLR) project, supported by WWF and other partners, involving community groups like ALOCA (Amboseli Land Owners Conservation Association) was undertaken. The project focuses on sustainable land use practices and restoration techniques to protect wildlife corridors, promote Maasai pastoral cultural practice, and create livelihood opportunities. Restoration methods include grazing management, tree rejuvenation, rainwater capture, and grass seed banking. Key actors include ALOCA (Amboseli Land Owners Association), Big Life Foundation, Justdiggit, and WWF.