Today is National Wildlife Day, a day to raise awareness about the creatures that live all around us. Wildlife is not only centred around the rural areas of our country but in the urban areas too- some are even in your backyard as you read this! Therefore it’s important that we all understand the impact our actions have on their habitats.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Here are just seven ways to become more considerate to the lives both big and small that surround us every day.
Watch a documentary: There are plenty available on whatever platform you have to hand- Netflix, Amazon Prime and even on YouTube. Take some time to watch an in-depth investigation into a particular species and learn how you can help them not only to survive but to thrive as well.
Go on a wildlife walk: Instead of tuning out and looking at your phone or playing music, listen to the sounds around you and look out for movement as you go. If you pay particular attention you will be surprised at what you might find. If you can’t identify something, research it when you get home and educate yourself on what you discovered.
www.wildlifetrusts.org provide a full list of walks near you- from saunters to uphill climbs, there is something to suit every fitness level. Discover new places, meet new people, embrace nature and learn a thing or two at the same time.
Call on someone in the know: Everyone knows someone who is passionate about wildlife- maybe you are friends with a beekeeper, or perhaps you know someone who volunteers at a local wildlife sanctuary. If so, ask to go on a guided walk with them or ask to visit them and watch them at work. People who immerse themselves in wildlife every day have first hand knowledge and are bound to be more interesting than reading a book. Plus it gives you some quality time with a friend or family member you may not have seen for a while. It’s possible you might even make a new connection through someone you already know.
Help to raise money: There are plenty of charities whose main aim it is to preserve wildlife and help it to flourish. Pick one that appeals to you the most, visit their website and find out how you can help them to raise vital funds to keep them afloat. This could be anything from getting sponsored to run a 5K, baking and selling cakes or selling some things you don’t need online to make a donation.
Volunteer: If you have some time on your hands, why not offer this up to a charity or organisation that puts wildlife at the forefront of their activity? Whether you are looking for something local or want a complete change of scenery and country, there are opportunities all over the world to do you bit. Search ‘wildlife volunteer opportunities’ to find one that suits your schedule and long term goals.
Adopt an animal: If you want to help a particular charity in their endeavours to protect wildlife and habitats, you can always adopt an animal or if you have a birthday or anniversary coming up, these make great gifts for the wildlife enthusiast in your life. Here are just a few that are in need of your financial support:
www.wildlifetrusts.org
www.bornfree.org
wwf.org.uk
Help the wildlife closest to you: If you are time poor, there are simple things you can do for the wildlife in your back garden or in your local area.
- Put out a bird feeder and keep it well stocked and find a shallow tray to put water in for the birds to take a bath.
- Introduce a hedgehog house in the garden and leave food out for them when they visit.
- Put some nuts out if you have squirrels so they can store them away for the winter.
- Buy some wild bird seed (not bread!) and take it to a local river, lake or pond and feed the swans, ducks, geese and any other birds who feel peckish!
Happy National Wildlife Day!
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