Things You Can Do To Protect Wildlife

Little Actions You Can Take to Help Animals

"Whatever you do
~ Mahatma Gandhi

will

be

insignificant,

but

it

is

very

important

that

you

do

it."

It is often easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of species loss and habitat destruction. The
problem is large and complexit's common for individuals to feel powerless. Yet, everything we do
is vitally important. We may only do a little bit in the grand scheme of things, but together our
seemingly small actions add up to a lot.
1. Protect Wildlife Habitat

Perhaps the greatest threat that faces many species is the widespread destruction of habitat .
Deforestation, farming, over-grazing and development all result in irreversible changessoil
compaction, erosion, desertification, and alteration of local climatic conditions. Such land use
practices vastly alter or even eliminate wildlife habitat. In areas where rare species are present,
habitat destruction can quickly force a species to extinction.
By protecting habitat, entire communities of animals can be protected together and when
communities are kept intact, less conservation intervention is required to ensure species survival.
Parks, reserves, and other protected lands are too often the only habitats left untouched by habitat
destruction.
2. Join a Conservation Organization

There is a wide range of conservation organizations working to protect endangered animals and
habitats. Different organizations have different objectivessome work to protect a small plot of
land or to protect whales, others focus on establishing good environmental policies in local
government.
If you have a specific area of interest, you can often find an organization that is working to protect
the species or habitats you're most concerned about. By joining in, you can support well-organized,
ongoing efforts to protect species and habitats. And if you want to participate in conservation field
work, you can often get involved in specific programs within many conservation organizations that
rely to a great extent on help from volunteers.

3. Reduce the Threat of Invasive Species

The spread of non-native species has greatly impacted native populations around the world.
Invasive species compete with native species for resources and habitat. They can even prey on
native species directly, forcing native species towards extinction. Another way to reduce the threat
of invasive species is to incorporate native plants in your garden and to welcome native animals
into your yard.
4. Recycle and Reduce Energy and Goods Consumption

By recycling and (reusing as much as we can, we reduce our impact on the environment.
Additionally, by reducing the energy we consume, we take a little of the burden off our natural
resources (and our pocketbooks). You can also reduce your carbon footprint by first calculating your
current carbon footprint and then reduce the amount of carbon you consume. For more information
see:
5. Minimize use of Herbicides and Pesticides

Herbicides and pesticides may keep yards looking nice but they are in fact hazardous pollutants
that affect wildlife at many levels. Many herbicides and pesticides take a long time to degrade and
build up in the soils or throughout the food chain. Some groups of animals such as amphibians are
particularly vulnerable to these chemical pollutants and suffer greatly as a result of the high levels
of herbicides and pesticides in their habitat.
6. Place Decals on Windows to Deter Bird Collisions

Daniel Klem Jr. of Muhlenberg College has estimated that as many as one billion birds in the United
States die each year due to collisions with windows. You can help reduce the number of collisions
simply by placing decals on the windows in your home and office. Other simple steps you can take
to reduce the likelihood of collisions are to re-evaluate feeder placement, draw shades and curtains
during brightest parts of day, install tilted window glass, and put screens on outside of windows.
7. Slow Down When Driving

Many native animals have to live in developed areas and this means they must navigate a
landscape full of human hazards. One of the biggest obstacles to wildlife living in developed areas
is that created by roads. Roads divide habitat and present a constant hazard to any animal
attempting to cross from one side to the other. So when you're out and about, slow down and keep
an eye out for wildlife.
8. Voice Your Concerns and Get Involved Locally

By letting local and national governments know that you're concerned about endangered species,
you're increasing the likelihood that someone will do something about it.
9. Change Your Career

This may sound extreme but for some people getting involved in the protection of threatened and
endangered animals is so important that a career change that enables you to work directly with
species of concern may be the most rewarding way of doing so. If you're seeking more information
on changing your career, you may want to check out The Working Zoologist.

10. Share Your Enthusiasm for Wildlife and Nature

Photo Creatista / iStockphoto.

Encourage others to learn about nature, enjoy watching wildlife,

Simple Ways to Protect Wildlife
Most of the animals that are permanent residents of the Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center
have suffered from injuries or problems caused by humans. Since most people try to avoid causing
harm to other living things we decided to put together a list of things to do- or not do- to help
wildlife. The list is in no particular order of importance.
1.

Prevent your pet cats and dogs from attacking and/or playing with wildlife. Dont allow
them to run without supervision and raise your cats as indoor pets. Many injured animals
are brought to the clinic each year with terrible wounds from dog and cat attacks.

2.

Alert birds to large expanses of glass in your home, such as patio doors or picture windows,
by hanging streamers, putting bird silhouettes on the glass surface, or allow the glass to be
a little bit dirty. Reducing the reflection should cut down on the number of birds who collide,
often fatally, with windows and doors.

3.

Educate children to respect and care for all wild creatures and their habitats. Children need
to learn that wild animals are not playthings and should be allowed to go about their lives
without being touched by humans. Children should also be told not to destroy nests,
burrows and other wildlife homes.

4.

Pick up litter and refuse that could harm wildlife, including six-pack connectors (after
cutting each circle to reduce the risk of entanglement), monofilament fishing line, and
watch batteries (if consumed by waterfowl they can cause mercury poisoning).

5.

Be alert when driving, especially near wildlife refuges and in rural areas, to avoid hitting or
running over wild creatures. Animals do not recognize the danger from an oncoming
vehicle. And please stop and move any turtles away from the roadway or shoulder of the
road.

6.

As a general rule, leave infant wildlife alone, since they are not always truly orphaned. A
parent may be nearby or will return soon. Be sure they are in need of help before you
remove them from the nest area. If you find young birds on the ground, attempt to return
them to the nest.

7.

Place caps over all chimneys and vents on your roof to prevent birds, ducks and raccoons
from taking up residence and becoming a nuisance or getting trapped.

8.

Do not leave fishing line or fish hooks unattended or lying about outdoors. Try to retrieve
any kite string left on the ground or entangled in trees.

9.

Before mowing your lawn or rototilling your garden, walk through the area first to make
sure no rabbits or ground-nesting birds are in harms way. Remember, it only takes a couple
weeks for these babies to grow and leave the nest. Be tolerant and give them the time
they need.

10. Check trees to make sure there are no active nests or residents of cavities before cutting
them down. Even better, avoid cutting down dead trees if they pose no safety hazard, since
they provide homes for a wide variety of wildlife.

11. Use non-toxic products on your lawn and garden.

12. Motor oil should not be left in oil pans unattended. Birds often fall into these pans and few
survive.

13. Do not attempt to raise or keep wildlife yourself. Not only is it illegal, but wild creatures do
not make good pets and captivity poses a constant stress to them. Young wild animals
raised without contact with their own species fail to develop survival skills and fear of
humans, virtually eliminating their chances of survival in the wild.

If you find an injured or abandoned wild animal, please contact a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator.

How to Protect Wildlife

Print this article

Wildlife faces threats from habitat destruction, pollution and other human actions. Although
protecting wildlife can seem overwhelming at times, even small actions in your own neighborhood
can help protect many different animals. As the saying goes, think globally and act locally. You can
protect wildlife for future generations.
Other People Are Reading

Why Should We Conserve & Protect Endangered Animals?

Ways to Save Endangered Animals

Instructions
1.
o

1
Create wildlife friendly areas in your backyard. When choosing your lawn and landscaping, chose
native plants that can provide food and shelter to native wildlife. This will also help cut down on
pollution. Add bird or bat houses to your yard or garden to attract and shelter these species.

2
Avoid disrupting the natural ecosystem in your area. Non-native plants or animals can wreck havoc
on habitats, particularly if there is no natural predator to keep the species in check. Invasive plants
can kill or disrupt native plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife.

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3
Practice a greener lifestyle. By conserving water and fossil fuels, you will be helping to protect the
wildlife around you. Take public transportation when you can, turn off electric devices when you're
not using them, take shorter showers and keep your heat at or below 68 degrees during the winter.
Become knowledgeable about what contributes to global warming, which disrupts migration
patterns and habitats.

4
Buy products that are wildlife friendly. Avoid products that are made from threatened or
endangered animals. Keep in mind that some endangered animals are killed by traps, snares or
hunters who are after other wildlife within the same habitat. Use biodegradable products whenever
possible.

5
Donate money or time to organizations that protect wildlife and their habitats. Join a community
group that reestablishes native habitats for wildlife or that tackles local pollution. You can give
money to wildlife sanctuaries or other groups that protect wildlife species.

6
Talk to or write policymakers about protecting wildlife. Write letters to a local newspaper. Discuss
ways to help animals with friends and family members.

7
Limit family size. Population growth is one of the major factors in habitat destruction. By living in
established city limits and limiting family size to around two children per family, the earth's
population will stabilize and native habitats can be protected.

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Uses of forests
People began life on this planet as forest dwellers. They were food gatherers and
depended on the forest for all their needs: food, clothing, and shelter. They gradually became food
growers, clearing a small patch in the forest to grow food. But they continued to depend on forests
to meet a lot of their needs. Even today people depend on the forest for paper, timber, fuelwood,
medicine, and fodder.
Fuelwood
Fodder
Fencing

Soil erosion
check

Wind breaks and

shelter belts

Soil
improvement

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Fuelwood
For the rural population, wood is an important source of energy for cooking and heating. They
prefer smaller stems as these are easier to collect and carry. The wood that they select should be
easy to split and have low moisture content to dry faster. Some of the wood is converted to
charcoal and used for cooking.
Fodder
Fodder from the forest forms an important source for cattle and other grazing animals in the hilly
and the arid regions and during a drought. There are many varieties of grasses, trees, and shrubs
that are nutritious for the livestock. Care is taken to see that trees poisonous to cattle are not
grown. Trees that produce a large crown above the reach of cattle are preferred.
Fencing
Fences created with trees and shrubs are preferred in developing countries as they are cheap to
maintain yet give protection. Species that have thorns or are prickly and have stiff branches and
leaves that are not edible are preferred. These species should be fast growing, hardy, and long
lived.
Wind breaks and shelter belts
Trees grown for wind breaks should be bushy and sturdy to withstand strong winds, both hot and
cold. Along the Saurashtra coast in India, casuarina has successfully been planted to check
degradation due to salt laden coastal winds. A species of prosopis, called P. juliflora, planted along
the desert border in Haryana and Gujarat has successfully halted the advance of the desert.
Soil erosion check
Tree roots bind the soil and prevent erosion caused by wind or water. Leaf fall also provides a soil
cover that further protects the soil. Casuarina planted along the coastal region has helped in
binding the sand and stabilizing the sand dunes in the area.
Soil improvement
Some species of trees have the ability to return nitrogen to the soil through root decomposition or
fallen leaves. Such trees are planted to increase the nitrogen content of the soil.
Forest products and their uses
Timber
Grasses
Cane

Medicinal use

Fruit

Floss

Fibre

Essential oils

Bamboo
Timber
More than 1500 species of trees are commercially exploited for timber in different parts of India. It
is used in timber-based industries such as plywood, saw milling, paper and pulp, and particle
boards.
Bamboo
These are common in the north-eastern and the south-western parts of India, growing along with
deciduous or evergreen forest. The main commercial uses of bamboo are as timber substitutes,
fodder, and raw material for basket, paper and pulp, and other small-scale industries.
Cane
Cane or rattan are the stems of a climber plant and are used for a large number of household
items. It is used to make walking sticks, polo sticks, baskets, picture frames, screens, and mats.
Grasses
There are hundreds of varieties of grasses in the country that are used for a number of purposes.
Lemon grass, palmrose grass, bhabbhar, and khus grass are some of them.
Fruit
Fruit trees are an important source of income and food for the rural household. In some areas fruit

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trees are commonly planted along the field borders and around the wells. Mango, coconut, orange,
pear, jackfruit and many others grow wild in the forest.
Medicinal use
Since time immemorial humans have been depending on the forest to cure them of various
ailments. Even today man is dependent on the forest for herbs and plants to fight against disease.
Of all the medicinal trees found in India, the neem is the most important. Leaves, bark, and other
parts of many other trees also have medicinal value and are used to make various ayurvedic
medicines.
Fibre
Plant fibre has many different uses. Soft fibres such as jute are derived from the stems of the plant.
Hard fibre from the leaves of hemp and sisal are used to make fabrics for various applications. Coir,
another form of fibre from the fruit of the coconut, is used to make ropes.
Floss
The fruits of many species of Indian trees produce a silky floss. The most common of these is simal.
It is used to made cotton wool, mattresses, and pillows.
Essential oils
Tropical grasses such as lemon grass, citronella, and khus are the source of essential oils. Oil is
distilled from the wood of various species such as sandalwood, agar, and pine. Oil is also derived
from the leaves of certain plants and trees such as eucalyptus, camphor, wintergreen, and pine.
These oils are used for making soaps, cosmetics, incense, pharmaceuticals, and confectionery.