How to Help Endangered Species and Wildlife in Seven Ways
Preservation of the environment has been a trending topic in recent years as part of the discussion surrounding climate change. When habitats and ecosystems suffer, so do the species that live in them. From fundraising for animal charities to raising awareness about how to prevent animal extinction, we can all do our part in protecting the animals and wildlife in the world we live in. Wondering how to help endangered species? Learn more below.
Five startling endangered animal facts
An animal is endangered when the wild population has dropped so low that the species is at risk of extinction. Here are some quick facts about endangered species and protection efforts you should know:
- Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, it is illegal to hunt, capture, or harm any endangered animal.
- According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, globally there are 7,510 endangered or critically endangered animal species as of March 2019.
- Removing an animal from the endangered list is possible, though takes many years. For example, the bald eagle was removed from the list in 2007, after more than 40 years of conservation efforts.
- Freshwater ecosystems support over 100,000 species, including more than fish, yet are among the world’s most endangered habitats.
- As a result of climate change, between 30-50% of all species could face extinction by 2050.
Seven easy ways you can protect the wildlife
If you’re looking for how to save animals, there are countless things we can each do to protect the environment and the animals we share it with. From endangered species to rescue animals, there are many ways to help those in need. If you’d like to make an impact at home and abroad, take a look at some fun ways you can protect wildlife and species.
1. Plant native wildlife to attract pollinators
In many areas of the United States, bee populations are rapidly dwindling to the brink of extinction. Yet bees aren’t the only pollinators at risk—many types of hummingbirds make the endangered species list as well.
You can start a fundraiser to gather donations for purchasing native plant species, and can make a day of planting wildlife with your friends or family. This is both a good bonding activity and can go a long way toward restoring their habitat.
2. Start a recycling initiative
About 91% of all plastic products are not recycled. This contributes to the nearly 5.25 trillion pieces of trash that are currently polluting the Earth’s oceans, harming the wildlife that calls the ocean home. If you’re wondering how to protect endangered species in ways that have an almost immediate impact, collecting waste is a great place to start. Donate your time to recycling programs in your area, or start one of your own.
3. Host a community fundraising event
Work with your local community by hosting a fundraising event. Charge a small entry fee and decide on prizes. Make a donation using the proceeds to a charity that helps save endangered animals, and let participants know. Some great fundraising event ideas include hosting a party or banquet, a car wash (or dog wash), or a charity sports event.
4. Create a fundraiser to support wildlife programs
Crowdfunding online can be one of the simplest and most effective ways to help protect endangered species. First, choose an organization with active programs that help protect wildlife. Start by sharing your fundraiser with family and friends, and encourage people in your network to share on social media. Make it clear in your fundraiser which nonprofit will receive the donation, national or global, and how the organization will use those funds to help wildlife. Some fun ideas for a nonprofit fundraiser include hosting a charity sale, partnering with a local radio station or news channel to raise awareness, or organizing a benefit dinner.
5. Sponsor an animal
Another great way to protect animals threatened with extinction and save wildlife is to sponsor an animal. Both the World Wildlife Fund and the World Animal Foundation offer easy virtual adoption packages that benefit endangered species. Share your new adoption on social media to encourage those in your network to sponsor an animal, too.
6. Clean up your local parks
Start an initiative to clean up your local parks and other outdoor spaces you enjoy, such as wetlands, beaches, forests, or rivers. Additionally, starting a fundraiser to support outdoor clean-up means you can raise money for things like dog waste stations at trailheads, or trash and recycling bins at popular parks. This is a great way to save the natural wildlife and species in your area. Removing invasive species from these areas is also important and will help you save animals in your area.
7. Educate others about eco-friendly products
Many household cleaning products pose a threat to the environment. Whether that’s due to the evaporation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere, or toxic runoff into aquatic environments, the products we use can make an impact. Offer to speak at community centers or colleges about how to save endangered animals with eco-friendly products, or start a fundraiser to purchase eco-friendly cleaning supplies to donate to local schools or animal shelters.
See how others are fundraising
Take a look below at some examples of animal fundraisers highlighting how to help endangered species. The successful fundraisers below used GoFundMe for their online fundraising journey.
Preserving sea turtles in Costa Rica
As a college junior, Lisa raised over $2,000 to fund a summer internship focused on sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica. Lisa spent the summer working with marine biologists to build hatcheries to protect turtle eggs from predators. She also helped count and tag sea turtles for monitoring and cleaned up the beach habitats.
Raising money for Wildlife ACT
Kate raised almost double her $1,300 donation goal for Wildlife ACT, a South Africa-based organization dedicated to poaching prevention and animal conservation. Thanks to generous donors, Kate was able to spend two weeks assisting rangers with tracking and monitoring animals, and providing veterinary support.
Start protecting endangered wildlife today
We all want to do our part to preserve the planet, and protecting endangered species is one important way to do that. If you’re wondering how to help endangered species or even how to start, crowdfunding can be an easy, safe, and effective way to raise money for your favorite charity or organization. Now that you know how we can help endangered animals, start a wildlife fundraiser today and see what kind of impact you can make.