- 3 reads
Large swaths of animals and plants are being relegated solely to the history books each and every year. Changing climates and rising seas temperatures have put countless species at risk of extinction and it seems like there really isn’t anything we can do. But listed below are 10 ways you can help in stopping extinction today!
- To make the biggest impact, try to learn about the endangered species in your area.
- It may also be helpful to visit a national wildlife refuge, park, zoo, or other open space.
- Non-native species are spreading with speed, many times preying on those endangered native species and forcing their extinction. You can provide a safer, broader habitat for the local species by planting its food in a personal garden.
- And as for your personal garden, try not to use herbicides or pesticides. These chemicals can affect wildlife on many levels, as they take a long time to degrade and can build up in the soil or in the food chain itself. Amphibians, who make use of both the land and the water are at greatest risk from these chemicals.
- As for most environment-related problems, one solution is to recycle. Make sure you buy recycled paper and Forest Stewardship Council wood products to protect forest species.
- To prevent endangered birds from colliding with your windows, place decals or stickers on them. You may laugh, but millions of birds die every year as a result of collisions with windows.
- Helping native species may be as easy as slowing down while driving. As native species navigate the maze of human hazards they may cross your path on the road. Drive slower to give them an extra chance at survival.
- Don’t support illegal markets that trade in tortoiseshell, ivory and coral. Getting souvenirs on trips is a must for any good trip, however some gifts may be made from pieces of animals that are nearly extinct. It is also important to be wary of furs, as they could have been harvested from tigers, polar bears, or sea otters. The number of animals being used for pleasure items is high, so try to find out if that neat trinket you’re picking up first belonged to an animal that needs it more.
- If you see the shooting or harming of an endangered species, report it to your federal wildlife enforcement office.
- Most importantly, we should all assist in the preservation of natural wildlife habitats. When we protect whole communities, we can protect the community of species that live within. Treading onto these properties will cause more harm to the animals and create further hazards to their continued existence.
Clearly, the heaviest lifting in saving these species will have to be done by the large companies who deplete natural areas for profit, however we can all do something to protect the defenseless.