1973 iucn yearbook

wild animals and plants in their natural habitats. Conservation for
IUCN means management (including survey, research, administration
and utilization, with their educational and training implications) of all
natural resources - soil and minerals, air and water, and all living species,
including man - so as to achieve the highest sustainable quality of
human life.
IUCN increasingly acts as a world "conscience" in conservation. Its
functions in identifying and analyzing conservation issues, acting as a
catalyst for appropriate action, and providing the impartial scientific
advice needed by other conservation organizations and in particular to
its sister organization, the World Wildlife Fund, make a vital contribution
to the safeguarding and enhancement of the total environment.
When 1973 ended, 86 nations were represented in the membership of
IUCN. Members included 35 sovereign States, several hundred private
and governmental organizations, and a number of international bodies.
The Union has close working relations with the United Nations system.
It cooperates with the Council of Europe, the Organization of African
Unity, the Organization of American States, and other intergovernmental
bodies. At the non-governmental level it relies particularly on collaboration
with the International Council for Bird Preservation, the International
Council of Scientific Unions and many other scientific and
conservation organizations.
The direction and evolution of IUCN's policy are basically derived
from its Statutes and from its now triennial General Assemblies, the
next and twelfth of which will be held in Zaire in 1975. Specific policy
guidance is provided by the Executive Board, the Executive Committee,
and six Commissions with associated Working Groups comprised of
several hundred distinguished scientists and other specialists. Each Commission
is concerned with a major aspect of the Union's work: Ecology;
Environmental Policy, Law and Administration; Environmental Planning;
Survival Service; National Parks; and Education. Details of activities
linked with the Commissions are incorporated in project reports
and summaries in this Yearbook.
To mark this 25th Anniversary year, a special section of the Yearbook
is devoted to an outline of the Union's history and progress to date as a
recognized leader of the conservation movement.
Since 1961, IUCN has enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with its sister
organization, the World Wildlife Fund, with which it works closely on
projects of mutual interest throughout the world. The World Wildlife
Fund (WWF) is an international charitable organization dedicated to
saving the world's wildlife and wild places, and carrying out the wide
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