Sustainable Living
How to Reduce Your Ecological Footprint
Sustainable Products
Shopping sustainably is one of the most important (and easiest!) ways to protect the environment. Check out some of our favorite sustainable products to everyday items.
Sustainable Shopping Tools
Shopping sustainably has never been easier. Download some of our favorite sustainable shopping apps and learn what logos to keep an eye out for when shopping.
Sustainable Tips & Tricks
Investigate some simple tips and tricks that will make your lifestyle more sustainable. Then, implement then!
Conservation Organizations
Learn about and support conservation organizations that are protecting animals and habitats around the world.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to get involved in protecting nature. Check out some volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer
SnapShot Safari
Have you ever wanted to be a wildlife biologist exploring different landscapes in search of an amazing animal? Well, now is your chance, and you don't even have to get off your couch! Snapshot Safari, a program through Zooniverse, allows everyone and anyone to analyze camera trap photos from all over the world! Help researchers track elephant herds or bird migrations, or report a raging wildfire! Explore thousands of photos and make a difference on the premier citizen-science platform.
Find an Accredited Zoo or Aquarium Near You
The debate over whether zoos and aquariums are good or bad has been long lived and complex. The truth is that some zoos are bad, and it is important to be educated about which zoos and aquariums you are supporting. So, how do you find out? Organizations who are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are considered the gold-standard as they are required to follow strict animal welfare protocol, provide educational messaging, and contribute to local and global conservation efforts. Volunteering at an AZA institution is an amazing way to be connected to the natural world, network with like-minded people, and inspire others to care for wild animals and their habitats. Many accredited organizations also have opportunities for youth and teens!
Become a Park Steward
Many of us spend our time day dreaming about being lost in nature; about being surrounded by dense forest while watching birds fly overhead. As a park steward, that dream can come true! Many local, state, and national parks rely on volunteers to help protect their land and keep guests informed. As a steward, you might monitor trails, assist in keeping the landscape clean, or educate park guests about the native wildlife, all while getting to enjoy it yourself! If you don't have the time to be a steward or your local park doesn't offer a steward program, many parks look for help with certain events or group projects. The best part about volunteering in the park is that it's good for the earth and it's good for the soul.
What Is Conservation?
Technically speaking, conservation simply means to preserve or protect something. You can conserve your snack so there is more to eat later, you can conserve toothpaste if you're ru nning low.
In ecology, we refer to conservation as the act of protecting or restoring a natural resource or environment. Conservation involves studying habitats, plants, animals, and human society to figure out exactly what's going on in that en vironment. Are there threats? What is causing this population decline or boom? How do we prevent this damage all while finding a balance between people and nature?
Conservation is certainly not a job for just one person, in fact, it often requires entire communities. And you don't have to have a PhD to make a difference. Conservation is everyone's job, so don't be afraid to stand up and raise your voice in the name of saving our planet!
Community-Based Conservation
Picture this... You live with your family in a forest in the same village your family has been in for generations. To send your kids to school and pay for medical care, you must chop down trees and sell the wood. Then, a group of people decide that you can no longer cut down those trees because the forest is important for wildlife, but now you have no way to support your family.
This is how conservation efforts used to be. The best interest of wildlife was always in mind while the local people often suffered and struggled under new regulations. It wasn't until the 1980s that the Community Based Conservation Movement began, which encouraged conservationists to work within local communities to support the needs of the people while encouraging systematic and sustainable change. It didn't take long before scientists realized that conservation is more successful when the local communities become involved in the efforts. Today, we see Community Based Conservation benefiting ecosystems and communities all around the world.
