Nature's greeting cards from WWF

Established in 2001 under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chairman of ERWDA, the WWF UAE project office marked an entry into the Middle East for the world's largest independent, conservation organisation.

Operating in partnership with local environmental and wildlife agencies as well as businesses, the conservation achievements of WWF UAE have been notable, and include such projects as Enviro-Spellathon, an environmental education programme for primary schools and working on wildlife trade issues. A major accomplishment has been the recognition of Qarnein Island, the first internationally recognised Marine Protected Area in the Arabian Gulf, as a 'Gift to the Earth,' the highest accolade that WWF can bestow upon a conservation achievement. The island was donated by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

As many as 14 companies have amply demonstrated their commitment to nature conservation by becoming members of the WWF corporate club. These include Sony Gulf, DHL, Abu Dhabi Duty Free, ABB, Dolphin, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Choitram, HP, Ford, Khaleej Times, AME Info and Canon Middle East, the last, a long time conservation partner.

And now WWF provides all companies and individuals an opportunity to actively support conservation in the UAE by purchasing WWF 'Nature's Greeting Cards' for all occasions - Eid, Diwali and Seasons Greetings. Sponsored by Canon Middle East, the cards capture this region's natural and cultural heritage. Species, habitats and traditions come alive through brilliant illustrations by talented artists and photographs by renowned nature photographers. Flamingos at sunset, turtle hatchlings making their way to the sea, the Arabian leopard, coral polyps, camels traversing through Jordan's Wadi Ram, sunset dhows - are just a few examples of what the greetings have in store.

Cards can even be customised with personal or corporate message with the company's name and logo. A complete catalogue is available for download from WWF's Arabian Environment micro site on AME Info (www.ameinfo.com).

Sales of WWF Nature's Greetings Cards provide valuable funding for WWF's conservation projects in the Middle East. They will help: protect endangered species such as the white collared kingfisher, Arabian thar, hawksbill turtle and others; establish and advocate environmental policies such as on fisheries, species trade and tourism; and set up educational, training and visitor centers across the UAE.

Each purchase of 500 or more cards gets the buyer a 12 inches tall, cuddly panda for free. For over 40 years the panda has been the globally recognised symbol of WWF and its conservation mission - to stop and eventually reverse the degradation of our planet's natural environment and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. The WWF invites all to demonstrate they care for nature by contributing to its conservation activities.