"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, American anthropologist, 1901-1978
Around the world, there are many groups of committed people who are making sure wildlife have the space they need to survive and thrive. Please find a group to join so that you can be a part of their journey to help wildlife. If we all pull together, we can really power through change for the better. The more of us who help create, protect, care for and save existing and new spaces, the better.
It's National Nestbox Week from the 14th to 21st February, and a chance to make a difference to our feathered friends at home! They have lost a lot of their homes, due to humans tidying up their gardens and there are fewer nooks and crannies in modern buildings. You can find out all about the week here - the website has LOTS of information about nestboxes. The RSPB has a special offer on many of their nest boxes at the moment, which you can see here.
This is a chance to raise awareness of hippos and people who are working to help them. Find out about the Turgwe Hippo Trust in Zimbabwe!
Who doesn't love a panda?! Their numbers are growing, thanks to conservation efforts and there are plenty of ways to help. Find out about Pandas International
Visit Whale and Dolphin Conservation to find out about efforts being made to conserve these wonderful animals and how you can help.
World Pangolin Day
The pangolin is one of the most trafficked animals on the planet - but not much is known about them. They need some PR! Please spread the word!
WOW! The World Land Trust's Big Match Fortnight Appeal which started back in October 2024 with the WLT's Big Match Fortnight has been successful! The £1.3 million target has been hit! Find out all about it here.
World Wetlands Day was on 2nd February
It's World Wetlands Day and a chance to find out more about wetlands, why they matter and how we can all help protect, restore and create them. Visit the World Wetlands Day website here, the WWT in the UK here, and RAMSAR here. Today, Argentina designates its 24th wetland of international importance, whilst India designates 4 wetlands of international importance, South Africa names a nature reserve as a wetland of international importance, 31 new cities have been added to the Wetland City Accreditation scheme, and you can create your own wetland at home in your garden! You can also read our blog here.
What can one person do to help wildlife?
Take action!
Be a part of the solution!
Join the bigger picture and do something!
The RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch! took place from the 24th to 26th January 2025 and so far online over 7.2 million birds have been counted! The Big Schools Birdwatch is ongoing until February half term and results from the Big Garden Birdwatch have got until the 23rd February 2025 to land with the RSPB! Fly off to find out more here
WWT is the charity for wetlands and wildlife. They've purchased 148-hectares of low-lying land on the Awre peninsula, for a pioneering saltmarsh restoration project. Their work there will make it suitable for many different plants and animals, ponds and creeks and - exciting news - it will breach the sea wall. This will allow salt water from the estuary onto the land, and that will start to re-establish saltmarsh habitat! Find out more here, and don't forget that 2nd February is World Wetlands Day.
The little African penguin needs our help. The penguins' numbers have plummeted and organisations are working together to try to ensure these charismatic animals have a future. Find out how you can help here.
The Devon Wildlife Trust was on a mission to raise £58,000 by the 31st January 2025 to buy land right next to Stourton Quarry, which the Trust already owns. Collaven Moor could provide a haven to a wide range of threatened wildlife, including willow tits, southern damselflies and marsh fritillary butterflies. Please find out more -
Borrowdale is the largest temperate rainforest in the UK - it's in the beautiful Lake District. Temperate rainforests are vital carbon stores, and home to animals, plants and fungi!. And Borrowdale has just become a protected nature reserve, as a result of a decision by Natural England and the National Trust! You can find out all about it here.
And the 27th September is Save the Koala Day. The amazing country musician Andy Penkow has collaborated with the Australian Koala Foundation to bring you “Heavy on Me”. This song encourages us all to stand up and speak for those who have no voice - the animals. Find out more here.
By the way, the 4th October is World Animal Day, to mobilise us all to make the world a better place for animals. Find out more here.
On BBC2 on Friday 23 August 2024 at 9pm, there's Brian May: The Badgers, The Farmers and Me - find out more here
This is a great opportunity to raise awareness of elephants and how we can help them ! #WorldElephantDay #BeElephantEthical There's a list of elephant charities here and have a good look around the World Elephant Day's website to find out more about these stunning animals and why they matter to the envrionment so much.
Animal magic at work
This website is about wildlife, but I came across this on You Tube, as you do, and couldn't resist adding it to show how amazing animals - and dogs in particular - are at smoothing the waters, and giving people a smile and a better day! If only they were in charge in Parliament! (We could have Larry the Cat from Downing Street, as PM in charge of them all.) Thank you, Jenny, and dogs everywhere for all you do. By the way, you could take a look at the Anti-Poaching dogs - they need our support!
The 31st July is World Ranger Day - to commemorate those incredibly brave people - men and women - who have given their lives in the line of duty protecting our beloved wildlife. It is also a chance to acknowledge the work they do. Please find out more here.
The Durham Wildlife Trust has successfully raised the £54,000 needed to buy the land next to Rainton Meadows to accelerate their plans to create wetland and meadow habitats in the fields. Find out more about the appeal here.
The Wildlife Trust of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire in England have a Beaver Appeal to enable them to bring beavers back to Northamptonshire! They are marvellous eco-engineers - find out more about the appeal here.
The WWT (Wildfowl and Weltands Trust) have produced this great video to show how important garden ponds are to wildlife. Now that the nights are drawing in, this is a great chance to spend some time discovering more about the power of ponds and working out how you can add water to your garden for wildlife, including mini-ponds.
Visit WWT here.
Those amazing people at the Koala Clancy Foundation have great news for koalas and other wildlife - they've all been very busy planting trees and they've hit over 30,000 trees in 2023! This just shows what can be done when groups of people work together for a cause. Find out more
The book "Earthshot" says that you and I can be part of the problem facing the planet - or we can be part of the solution. Two things we can do is to protect the natural world and to reduce our impact. "Urgency + Optimism = Action."
There's a website aiming to educate people into why you shouldn't poison bats you find in your home - it's a wonderful resource. Find out more here
There are lots of committed groups around the world working to help wildlife, the natural world and conservation. Join in their efforts!
From ponds and rivers to mountains and deserts, wildlife need space to survive and thrive. You and I can help save, protect and care for this habitat, and help create more space for wildlife. We share the planet with them.