Wetlands International: Top Biodiversity Nonprofit Spotlight (2026)
As a result of a consulting project in which an anonymous donor hired Giving Green to research promising strategies and funding opportunities to reduce biodiversity loss, Giving Green has classified Wetlands International as one of our Top Biodiversity Nonprofits and recommended a donation to their work protecting wetlands. We have recommended Wetlands International since 2026.
Wetland protection offers a targeted, near-term biodiversity safeguard, steering habitat loss away from high-value ecosystems while longer-term strategies (e.g., alternative proteins, yield improvements) mature. Wetlands International works to safeguard and restore wetland ecosystems through both site-specific projects and catalytic initiatives to build coalitions, improve policies, and improve conservation knowledge.
We classify Wetlands International as one of our Top Biodiversity Nonprofits. We believe that the organization has made significant contributions to developing effective wetland conservation and restoration practices. Through policy engagements and collaborative initiatives like the Freshwater Challenge, Mangrove Breakthrough, and Global Mangrove Watch, it has increased global attention and funding for wetland conservation. We believe Wetlands International can further expand its efforts within these programs and replicate its successes in other types of wetlands.
For more information, see our Nonprofit Evaluation report, a summary below, and our broader philanthropic strategy report on reducing biodiversity loss.
Last updated: February 2026
What Is Wetlands International?
Wetlands International is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard and restore wetlands for their environmental value and ecosystem services. It was founded in 1996 through the merger of other wetland nonprofits and is headquartered in the Netherlands. The organization has “network offices” in Argentina, Belgium (Europe office), Brazil, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mali, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda.
How Could Wetlands International Help Address Biodiversity Loss?
What Does Wetlands International Do?
What Would Wetlands International Do with Your Donation?
Why Is Giving Green Excited About Wetlands International?
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