More than 50 years ago, the young Peter Scott looked at the state of the natural world and became concerned about what he saw as the growing threat to its future. The term "biodiversity" had not yet been coined but his concerns led him to work with the newly created IUCN, or World Conservation Union to establish the predecessor of today's Species Survival Commission (SSC) to help combat the loss of species. He was chairman of the SSC from 1963 to 1977.

Peter Scott's commitment to global conservation, IUCN and SSC left a legacy of achievement recognized throughout the conservation community. He founded the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), the largest international wetland conservation charity in the UK. Peter Scott was a founder and first chairman of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF - now Worldwide Fund for Nature) in 1961, originator of the IUCN Red Data Books in 1962, and founder of many local and regional conservation bodies.

For more information on the Peter Scott Fund including on how to contribute please contact: peterscottfund@iucn.org