Wildlife Conservation

Did you know?

Species Extinction:

At present, our pollution levels and mis-use of the worlds natural resource is causing one half of all species to be extinct in less than 50+ years

The World Conservation Union has suggested that 13% of the world's plant species are under threat today, while botanists claim that they believe that almost half the world's plants are already "at risk"

The 2008 RED LIST showed that half of the mammals are already in "decline status" http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hpftiFBrckhaI_mtTA15UzqTfubg because of habitat loss

A survey of mammals by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), coverings more than 44,000 animal and plant species, shows that a quarter of the planet's 5,487 known mammals are clearly at risk of disappearing forever. "In reality, the number of threatened mammals could be as high as 36 percent"

Impacts to water animals

A global study concluded that 90 percent of all large fishes; (species such as sharks, swordfish, tuna and marlin) have disappeared from the world's oceans in the past half century (International Journal: "Nature this Week"). Furthermore, more than 50% of wetlands have been lost or destroyed nationwide in the past century and 40% of the rivers and streams in the U.S. are too polluted for fishing and swimming. Another 30% of the native freshwater fish species in North America are threatened, endangered, or of special concern.
Freshwater animals are disappearing five times faster than land animals.
At least 123 freshwater species became extinct during the 20th century. These include 79 invertebrates, 40 fishes, and 4 amphibians. (There may well have been other species that were never identified.)

Habitat

The National Park Services protects 391 separate and unique ecosystems in over 84 million acres (from the Everglades to Death Valley).

There are 1,837 National Parks in total all around the world ; (this number does not include nature reserves or other types of protected land mass). In the US, only 27 percent of all land area is considered protected wilderness. \

The National parks, which are managed by the National Park Service, are often considered the crown jewels of the protected areas. Other areas are managed by the United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The United States Army Corps of Engineers is claimed to provide 30 percent of the recreational opportunities on federal lands, mainly through lakes and waterways that they manage. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_areas_in_the_United_States_National_Park_System

Georgia has 62 parks available for public use http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Georgia_state_parks

Only 7% of the country’s landscape is in a riparian zone—only 2% of which still supports riparian vegetation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that 70% of the riparian habitat nationwide has been lost or altered.

Climate change and Global warming

It has been recently suggested that warmer global temperatures may be affecting animals in different ways. In fact, global warming is predicted to put at least 20-30% of plant and animal species at risk of extinction, and up to 40-70% in worst case scenarios.

Wildlife Conservation

The word “conservation” refers to; the act of restoring something from loss, damage or neglect. When it comes to plants and animals, it also includes providing protection, preserving what is here, and making sure any damage sustained is restored to its "natural state". Notice the word "nature" in the word natural. Isn't it funny that we use nature to define when something is pristine or perfect...(ie natural: to be in accordance with or determined by nature), when with all we have done to nature, it's anything but pristine. But we have the power to change that!

When speaking of wildlife conservation, it includes care for ALL of the elements that make up nature; our forests, its plants, soil, and water along with the animals. Why? Because wild animals need all those elements to survive. That means the furry, finned, feathered, two footed, four footed, flighted or grounded creeping crawlies. The maintenance of the earth is no small task. When you consider the number of variety of organisms found within our specified planet, it can be overwhelming. Where do we start? How about right in our own back yards. Did you know that there are 318 species of protected plants and animals in Georgia; 9 types of Amphibians, 10 types of Mammals, 16 types of Reptiles, 20 types of Birds, 51 types of Invertebrates, 57 types of Fishes, and 155 types of plants! And that's not to mention that many of those listed are considered "endangered", ie; representing a plant or animal that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range or “threatened", referring to a species likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future for a variety of reasons (habitat destruction, over hunting, pollution, etc). So, how do you learn more about these crisis species so you know how you can do a better job protecting them? Learn from observing and reading at the library, take a class from your local night school, college or on line, or join the garden club or local environmental group. Or you could buddy up with a biologist or wildlife expert. Frequently they look for people who are willing to do research and help with local projects. Or you can always surf the thousands of resources on the internet: http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=89&txtPage=2. Then you might ask:

How can one person make a difference to help wildlife?

There are a few simple ways you can help. Get involved by:

(chose any of the subjects shown to see what you can do...Adobe pdf files)

Creating more wild spaces

Be an advocate to recycle and stop polluting

Become mindful in each step you take every day

& teach others what you know on how to respect the earth

Become a wildlife conservation spokesperson