With so many factors including various pollutants, over development, and
natural disasters affecting the life and welfare of birds, conservation of wild
bird habitats is as important as ever. Luckily, many people volunteer their time and
energy to help with the vital goal of changing the lives of birds for the
better. These heroes of bird conservation work diligently researching,
informing, and saving birds in numerous ways through conservation programs and
organizations. You can help too! The following are just a few of the most
popular organizations that you can join to help make a difference by conserving
and protecting birds and their habitats.
Nature Conservancy
With a strong, dedicated group of over 1 million members, the Nature Conservancy protects over 11 million acres of wildlife habitat in the United States and approximately 60 million acres in all of Canada, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific, and the Caribbean. The mission of the Nature Conservancy is to preserve animals, nature communities, and plants living on earth by protecting the lands and waters these living creatures need to survive.
World Wildlife Fund
One of the more popular organizations thanks to the worldwide recognition of the popular panda logo, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has spent years dedicated to protecting the well-being of the world’s wildlife and wetlands. As the world’s largest privately supported international conversation organization, the WWF has three global goals: To protect endangered species, save endangered species, and address global threats that face wildlife every day.
Partners in Flight
Partners in Flight is a cooperative effort composed of federal, state and local government agencies, professional organizations, conservation groups, philanthropic foundations, academic communities, and private individuals that coordinate and combine to achieve success in conserving the lives of the bird population living in North and South America. With over 40 non-government organizations, 60 state fish and wildlife agencies, and 16 federal agencies, those involved with Partners in Flight take pride in their undying efforts to make a change. The list of volunteers and organizations helping make this possible is growing every day.
American Bird Conservancy
One of the leaders in Partners in Flight, this nonprofit organization was created to conserve wild birds and their habitats in this hemisphere. The key and significant role of this organization is to specifically build coalitions of conservation groups, individuals of the public, and scientists to take on key bird priorities using the greatest resources available.
National Audubon Society
The mission of the National Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. There are 100 Audubon Sanctuaries and Nature Centers in the US. Membership exceeds 500,000.
Help Locally
While there are many national organizations to join, there are also several opportunities to help birds at a local level, too. Bird lovers can work with their local Audubon Chapter by ensuring local planning commissioners are following existing conservation laws when approving new construction. Another way is even simpler, go to your local post office and purchase Federal Duck Stamps. The purchase from the sale of these stamps is used to protect wetlands. You can help preserve a disappearing but valuable nature resource.
Whether you become a member of one of these international organizations or you choose to help locally (or both!) it has become frighteningly clear that there is a tremendous need to preserve the lives and habitats of so many birds living in this hemisphere and beyond. Whatever you can do to make a difference will help the efforts of so many already dedicating their lives to this cause.
Resources:
Nature Conservancy: nature.org
World Wildlife Fund: worldwildlife.org
Partners in Flight: partnersinflight.org
American Bird Conservancy: abcbirds.org
National Audubon Society: Audubon.org
