All of us need to protect our planet. We the people can (and do) mess things up. We all share the concern that we might run out of clean water, clean air, or basic food. One way we can help is to support non-profit organizations that try to preserve, protect, and conserve our natural treasures. We can share in the exciting struggles and victories of environmental conservation charities.
You may have spent years hiking your local mountains or along nearby rivers without knowing that rare mussels live in the riffles or endangered woodpeckers flit among the trees. This kind of knowledge makes the sight of dark shell fragments left by a raccoon a clue that the mussel population is still going strong. It makes the sound of a woodpecker's call or its drumming on a dead tree like a victorious trumpet blast.
Although you might not like some of the more militant organizations, you can't deny their exploits are exciting. Think of steaming over the oceans of the world, raising awareness of the plight of whales and other magnificent creatures threatened by harpoons or nets. It's sad to think of a mighty elephant or rhinoceros killed for its tusk or horn. A remote mountaintop can be preserved forever if someone cares enough to buy it and protect it and its wildlife.
If you're worried about the welfare of those who live in protected areas and can't make a living by cutting trees, there's good news. You can find a group that seeks to teach local farmers or forest dwellers about sustainable farming, soil improvement and conservation, and other methods to improve their lot without damaging pristine natural areas. These groups also work to open markets for indigenous people and their products; the 'fair trade' movement is an example.
Every non-profit needs donors to keep going. Find a cause that you can be passionate about. If you love the Alleghenies, donate to groups that hope to keep parts of them untouched. If an international organization is more to your taste, there's no shortage of those. If you want to save energy, provide clean water for man and beast, preserve open space for recreation and wildlife, or keep the oceans pure, you can help do it.
Kids have started efforts that attract enough attention to become international charities. Some organizations might focus on a local resource, like a river or the Chesapeake Bey. Others might work for endangered species all around the globe. Botanical gardens might preserve rare plants or focus on ones native to the area. Groups might plant trees or count birds. There are non-profits that establish wildlife preserves and those which work for better treatment of domestic animals.
To help make sure your donation will be effective, there are many rating systems. Evaluation services look at things like administrative costs or evidence of mismanagement and waste. Not all charities are rated, but many of them are. You will find a wide difference of opinion on which are 'best', and perhaps some political bias, but in general a high rating from a reputable source is a comfort.
Preserving the environment can mean purchasing especially sensitive areas and leaving them alone. It can mean teaching ways to save water or reduce our carbon footprint. It might involve supporting a native grass project or planting a butterfly garden. All of the efforts require direct and indirect support.
You may have spent years hiking your local mountains or along nearby rivers without knowing that rare mussels live in the riffles or endangered woodpeckers flit among the trees. This kind of knowledge makes the sight of dark shell fragments left by a raccoon a clue that the mussel population is still going strong. It makes the sound of a woodpecker's call or its drumming on a dead tree like a victorious trumpet blast.
Although you might not like some of the more militant organizations, you can't deny their exploits are exciting. Think of steaming over the oceans of the world, raising awareness of the plight of whales and other magnificent creatures threatened by harpoons or nets. It's sad to think of a mighty elephant or rhinoceros killed for its tusk or horn. A remote mountaintop can be preserved forever if someone cares enough to buy it and protect it and its wildlife.
If you're worried about the welfare of those who live in protected areas and can't make a living by cutting trees, there's good news. You can find a group that seeks to teach local farmers or forest dwellers about sustainable farming, soil improvement and conservation, and other methods to improve their lot without damaging pristine natural areas. These groups also work to open markets for indigenous people and their products; the 'fair trade' movement is an example.
Every non-profit needs donors to keep going. Find a cause that you can be passionate about. If you love the Alleghenies, donate to groups that hope to keep parts of them untouched. If an international organization is more to your taste, there's no shortage of those. If you want to save energy, provide clean water for man and beast, preserve open space for recreation and wildlife, or keep the oceans pure, you can help do it.
Kids have started efforts that attract enough attention to become international charities. Some organizations might focus on a local resource, like a river or the Chesapeake Bey. Others might work for endangered species all around the globe. Botanical gardens might preserve rare plants or focus on ones native to the area. Groups might plant trees or count birds. There are non-profits that establish wildlife preserves and those which work for better treatment of domestic animals.
To help make sure your donation will be effective, there are many rating systems. Evaluation services look at things like administrative costs or evidence of mismanagement and waste. Not all charities are rated, but many of them are. You will find a wide difference of opinion on which are 'best', and perhaps some political bias, but in general a high rating from a reputable source is a comfort.
Preserving the environment can mean purchasing especially sensitive areas and leaving them alone. It can mean teaching ways to save water or reduce our carbon footprint. It might involve supporting a native grass project or planting a butterfly garden. All of the efforts require direct and indirect support.
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Find a summary of the reasons why you should support environmental conservation charities and more info about a great charity at http://saverthefoundation.org right now.
