World Wide Fund for Nature has a proud history of protecting the future of nature. Working in over 100 countries, with supporters from all over the world, the WWF is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations. WWF partners with governments, businesses, communities and individuals to tackle a range of vital environmental issues.

WWF has started to operate in Armenia since 2002 and as of November 2006, WWF Armenia has been registered as an official branch of WWF International as a part of WWF Caucasus Programme Office.

Armenia, covering an area of 29,743 square kilometers, is located in the north-east of the Armenian Highland.

Armenia is a land which has a very diverse landscape, with seven main types represented across different zones, including semi-desert, dry steppe, steppe, woodland, subalpine and alpine zones.

Much of Armenia is mountainous with 90% of its territory is located at the height of 1000 meters above sea level (anywhere between 1000-2500). The highest point of Armenia is Mount Aragats at 4090 m).

Armenia is situated in the area which is one of the richest ecoregions on Earth, especially in the temperate context. Unfortunately, this Ecoregion is ranked among the planet’s 34 most diverse and endangered hotspots by Conservation International (Mittermaier et al., 2004).  As part of newly defined the Greater Black Sea region, it is one of WWF’s 35 Priority Places, identified as focal among globally outstanding Ecoregions (WWF, 2008).

Armenia is characterized by rich diversity of plants and animals as well as landscapes and types of vegetation. On the small territory of Armenia there are more than 3500 species of high vascular plants and more than 17500 species of animals including 536 species of vertebrates. In the Red Book of Armenia there are 452 species of higher plants, 40 species of fungi, 153 species of vertebrates and 155 species of invertebrates; a number of species are registered in the IUCN Red List.