Three Things You Can Do For Wildlife on Endangered Species Day

This time last year, I was just beginning to learn about the many endangered species in my community.

But this May, with the growing oil spill, the threat of more drilling in the Arctic Circle and another Endangered Species Day upon us, it’s hard not to think about the wildlife.

One species I’m worried about this year is the Brown Pelican. Last November they were taken off the endangered species list, after recovering from the impacts of DDT. What will happen to them now that the BP oil spill is polluting their habitat?

And what about the many other species out there, that may disappear before most of us ever knew they existed?

But I don’t want to get everyone down.

Here are three things you can do to raise awareness about endangered wildlife in your community.

First, change your Facebook profile pic to a species you care about. You can download free photos you can use on Facebook here.

Second, you can share wildlife facts with us via Twitter. Just use the #speciesday hashtag, and let wildlife enthusiasts know what wildlife you care about. Need help getting started? We put together some sample tweets to pick from.

And finally, don’t forget to take action. Right now Shell Oil is getting ready to drill in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas— both important polar bear habitats. Stop them by pushing Secretary Salazar to block their leases. 

Both those seas are so far north, that Shell can only drill in the summer. If we can delay Shell Oil just one or two months, they’ll have to wait an entire year before they can try again.

Last year, NWF supporters like you pushed Secretary Salazar to finalize a proposal to create special protected habitat areas for polar bears. If we could accomplish that, I know we can protect polar bear habitat now.

>>Take action now!>>

On Endangered Species Day, it’s important to think about the many wildlife species at risk. But don’t let it get you down. Together we can make a difference.