HOW YOU CAN HELP ENDANGERED SPECIES?

CONSERVE HABITATS

• One of the most important ways to help threatened plants and animals survive is to protect their habitats permanently in national parks, nature reserves or wilderness areas. There they can live without too much interference from humans. It is also important to protect habitats outside reserves such as on farms and along roadsides.
• You can visit a nearby national park or nature reserve. Some national parks have special guided tours and walks for kids. Talk to the rangers to find out whether there are any threatened species and how they are being protected. You and your friends might be able to help the rangers in their conservation work.
• When you visit a national park, make sure you obey the wildlife code: follow fire regulations; leave your pets at home; leave flowers, birds’ eggs, logs and bush rocks where you find them; put your rubbish in a bin or, better still, take it home.
• If you have friends who live on farms, encourage them to keep patches of bush as wildlife habitats and to leave old trees standing, especially those with hollows suitable for nesting animals.
• Some areas have groups which look after local lands and nature reserves. They do this by removing weeds and planting local native species in their place. You could join one of these groups, or even start a new one with your parents and friends. Ask your local parks authority or council for information.
• By removing rubbish and weeds and replanting with natives you will allow the native bush to gradually regenerate. Thisnwill also encourage native animals to return

MAKE PEACE FOR OUR WILDLIFE

• Build a birdfeeder and establish a birdbath for the neighborhood birds.
• Plant a tree and build a birdhouse in your backyard.
• Start composting in your backyard garden or on your balcony. It eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers which are harmful to animals and humans, and it benefits your plants!
• Ask your parents not to use harmful chemicals in your garden or home.

RECYCLE, REDUCE, REUSE Encourage your family to take public transportation. Walk or ride bicycles rather than using the car. Save energy by turning off lights, radios and the TV when you are not using them. Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth and use water-saving devices on your toilet, taps and showerhead. Ask your parents to buy products and food without packaging whenever possible. Take your own bag to the store. It will reduce the amount of garbage and waste your family produces. Recycle your toys, books and games by donating them to a hospital, daycare, nursery school or children's charity. Encourage your family to shop for organic fruits and vegetables.

PLANT NATIVE PLANTS THAT ARE LOCAL TO THE AREA

•  If you can, plant native plants instead of non-native or introduced ones in your garden. You don’t want seeds from introduced plants escaping into the bush. Native grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees are more likely to attract native birds, butterflies and other insects, and maybe even some threatened species. 

 Control Introduced Plants And Animals

• Non-native plants and animals are ones that come from outside your local area.
• Some parks and reserves, beaches, bush-land and rivers are now infested with invasive plants, and native species often cannot compete with these plants. 
• Many environmental weeds come from people’s gardens. 
• Sometimes, the seeds are taken into the bush by the wind or by birds.
   
  

JOIN AN ORGANISATION There are many community groups working on conservation activities. Join an organization in your area and start helping today!

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

• State and territory government conservation agencies are responsible for the management of national parks and the protection of wildlife. They are sometimes supported by public foundations.
• Tell your family, friends and work mates about threatened species and how they can help them.
• Start a group dedicated to protecting a threatened plant or animal in your area or perhaps to help care for a national park.
• Write articles or letters about threatened species to newspapers.
• Ring up talk-back radio programs to air your concerns, or arrange to talk on your community radio station.