Hello, I am Eve and I am part of the summer team at Studenteer. My chosen campaign this summer has focused on the issue of wildlife conservation. In this blog post, I will explain what wildlife conservation is, the importance of it, and ways that you can help!
What is wildlife conservation?
Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting plant and animal species and their environments. As a component of the world’s ecosystem, wildlife gives equilibrium and steadiness to nature’s cycles. For example, wildlife provides biodiversity in the food chain as well as providing humans with clean air and water.
However, the sheer development of the human population is causing natural resources to be burned through at an alarming pace. This growth further imperils natural habitats and the presence of various wildlife worldwide, especially endangered animals and plants.
Other dangers to wildlife include environmental pollution, climate change, fishing, and hunting. The overall objective of wildlife protection is to promote the endurance of these species and to teach individuals to live sustainably.
How you can help:
You don’t have to be a wildlife conservationist to help make a difference. There are many things that you can do that do not involve making consequential changes to your lifestyle! Here are a few:
Living sustainably:
Learning to live sustainably is a great way to help preserve natural resources and wildlife. One way to live a greener lifestyle is to limit the amount of plastic used in your daily life. Approximately eight million tons of plastic is discarded into the sea annually, which is detrimental to sea mammals, birds, and water.
You can help by recycling, avoiding single-use plastic and littering, and using eco-friendly products! There are numerous brands that promote sustainability, from activewear brands like Tala to self-care brands like Green Planet Beauty – there is generally a greener option for everything.
Shopping locally is also an excellent opportunity to support local farmers and reduce your carbon footprint! And of course, not purchasing products made from animal fur or parts will help to stop wildlife trafficking from being a profitable business.
Living sustainably can even be as simple as walking short journeys instead of driving if you have the option. Leaving 15 minutes earlier to walk to your destination will help to reduce air pollution whilst getting your steps in and getting some fresh air! Making these changes one step at a time will help to protect the wildlife and the world we live in.
Volunteer:
Volunteering is an incredible way to make a difference to wildlife globally. There are many charities in the UK and throughout the world that dedicate their time to preserving wildlife. Not only will volunteering contribute towards a great cause, but it also looks great on your CV and provides the opportunity to learn new skills.
One way to get involved is to join Studenteer and become part of a thriving community of graduates and students who are matched with local charities for internships. Over the coming weeks, there are likely to be opportunities to intern with charities focused upon wildlife conservation!
Encouraging wildlife and natural habitats:
A simple way to promote wildlife conservation is to welcome wildlife into your garden or local area! This could involve planting flowers, shrubs, and trees to attract butterflies, bees, and birds. In particular, birds may find it hard to acquire food in the winter season so hanging some bird feeders and filling a birdbath with water will make life easier for them.
Likewise, leaving water out in the summer months will enable struggling animals to quench their thirst! Habitat destruction is one of the most predominant threats to 85% of endangered species, so planting trees or cleaning up beaches will aid in reducing this threat.
Speak up and join in:
Finally, promoting wildlife conservation can be as easy as learning more about endangered species, speaking up, and sharing your passion with your family and friends. Encouraging other individuals to see the value and excellence of nature and its wildlife may be one of the most vital ways to assist with saving it!
Whatever your particular interest in wildlife conservation is, there will be an organisation to join and support. A few examples of these include the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and Project AWARE Foundation.
Thank you for reading my blog post! I hope that you have learnt something new or enhanced your knowledge of wildlife conservation and how you can help. Even by reading this, you have taken the first step to protect wildlife and the world we live in!
By Eve McCormack for Studenteer
© All Rights Reserved, Studenteer 2021
