Earth Day 2010 is a great opportunity to take action to help save the earth. This year to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, we are working with the Earth Day Network and other partners to encourage people around the world to take over a billion acts of green.
Each Act of Green represents an individuals commitment to do something to protect the environment. Check out our list of 10 things you can do at home to protect wildlife and wild places and pick one thing to do this month.
10 Things You Can Do at Home to Protect Endangered Species
1) Learn about endangered species in your area
Teach your friends and family about the wonderful wildlife, birds, fish and plants that live near you. The first step to protecting endangered species is learning about how interesting and important they are.
For more information about endangered species, visit endangered.fws.gov
2) Visit a national wildlife refuge, park or other open space
These protected lands provide habitat to many native wildlife, birds, fish and plants.
Go wildlife or bird watching in nearby parks.
To find a wildlife refuge near you, visit www.fws.gov/refuges/
To find a park near you, visit www.nps.gov
To find a zoo near you, visit www.aza.org
3) Make your home wildlife friendly
Secure garbage in shelters or cans with locking lids, feed pets indoors and lock pet doors at night to avoid attracting wild animals into your home.
4) Provide habitat for wildlife by planting native vegetation in your yard
Native plants provide food and shelter for native wildlife. Attracting native insects like bees and butterflies can help pollinate your plants.
For more information about native plants, visit http://www.plantsocieties.org
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.
For alternatives to pesticides, visit http://www.beyondpesticides.org
6) Slow down when driving
Many animals live in developed areas and this means they must navigate a landscape full of human hazards. So when you're out and about, slow down and keep an eye out for wildlife.
7) Recycle and buy sustainable products
Buy recycled paper, sustainable products like bamboo and Forest Stewardship Council wood products to protect forest species.
8) Never purchase products made from threatened or endangered species
9) Report any harassment or shooting of threatened and endangered species
You can find a list of state wildlife departments at http://www.fws.gov/offices/statelinks.html
10) Write a letter to your member of Congress supporting protections for wildlife and wild places.
To get involved, contact the Endangered Species Coailtion staff or find a group near you on our ESC member organization list at www.stopextinction.org
