World Wildlife Fund and their international research partners are exploring a brand-new way to monitor biodiversity; one that’s far less invasive or labor-intensive than current scientific approaches. It’s called eDNA, or environmental DNA, and, just like it sounds, it’s about tracking the DNA of animals through water, snow, soil, and even air!  

Current estimates place the total number of species on Earth at around 8.7 million. However, more than 86% of those species (and closer to 91% of ocean species) have not been discovered. That’s because certain terrains, both on land and in the water, are hard to get to and difficult to study. That’s where eDNA comes in. Genetic markers pulled from things that animals naturally shed or produce (hair or feces, for example), can be tracked—or even discovered—through various environmental samples.   

According to WWF, “A single sample containing eDNA can be used to detect endangered species, study the impacts of climate change, alert us to invisible threats such as pathogens, and assess the overall health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.” World Wildlife fund and their partners are currently refining this technology and are excited about the possibilities it presents for the future of conservation. 

Learn more about eDNA and World Wildlife Fund’s ongoing wildlife research >>>

West Shore Wildlife Center’s Coexist with Wildlife Campaign teaches local Pennsylvanians how to properly interact with various native species, including bats, chipmunks, deer, racoons, raptors, and more. From humane capture and relocation methods to frequently asked questions, West Shore Wildlife Center walks community members through the most appropriate responses to common concerns with local wildlife. The Center also provides a wildlife emergency service, enabling community members to report sick and injured animals to wildlife rehabilitators as well as request patient updates for animals brought to the Wildlife Center.  

Adults interested in becoming wildlife rehabilitators can visit the Wildlife Center’s website for more information on how to get started, including instructional videos, a quick overview of Pennsylvania’s permitting process, interning at the Wildlife Center, and more.  

Other programs to protect and educate people about local wildlife include West Shore Wildlife Center’s annual Born to Be Wild Baby Shower event, an educational event where children can learn about the wild baby animals in their own backyards, experience junior rehabilitator training, and have fun creating art inspired by the critters they love. All proceeds from the event go toward the rehabilitation of orphaned wildlife.  

Learn about upcoming events and ways to get involved on the West Shore Wildlife Center website >>>

The first of its kind on the United States’ east coast, Marine Mammals of Maine’s Triage Center (an aquatic mammal emergency room) allows them to quickly address critically ill and injured seals stranded on Maine’s beaches and aid them through recovery until they are ready to be re-released into the wild. The Center includes two large pools, one small pool for closer monitoring, seven intensive care units, a kitchen for food and medication prep, and a diagnostic laboratory to identify and treat ailments. The Center is equipped to treat seal patients suffering from malnourishment, trauma, injury from human impacts (such as net entanglements or being struck by a boat propeller), and more.  

The Triage Center also uses data collection and research to monitor the health and wellness of local marine animals and ecosystems using seals as a key indicator species. Seals that are found stranded on Maine’s beaches can provide critical insights about environmental stressors impacting marine wildlife; stressors that could also impact human beings, such as the state of local fish populations—a critical food source for people and wildlife alike.  

Visit the Marine Mammals of Maine website to learn more about this important work >>>

Born Free USA is a leading international wildlife conservation charity that believes in a future where humans peacefully coexist with wildlife. By promoting Compassionate Conservation, Born Free USA aims to enhance the survival of threatened species and protect natural habitats and critical ecosystems in perpetuity.  

To achieve this mission, Born Free USA runs multiple wildlife incident databases to track trapping and exotic wildlife-human interactions in the U.S. and around the world. These databases inform Born Free USA and fellow wildlife protection organizations about where, when, and how harmful human interactions with wildlife are occurring. As a result, these organizations can step in to stop harmful practices, push for policy changes that prevent these practices from occurring again, and educate the public about how to help the wildlife in their own backyards. 

Born Free USA is also a member of the Endangered Species Coalition, a network of individuals and community groups, including conservationists, scientists, and political groups, dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild places. This coalition regularly works to #StopExtinction through days of action. Part of this advocacy work includes Born Free USA’s Activist Toolkit—a campaigning guide, video, webinar, tip sheets, FAQs, and social media content, to to help advocate for wildlife; especially endangered species.

Explore these resources and more on the Born Free USA website >>>

While the 30×30 target remains a crucial global initiative, significant recent changes in U.S. federal policy have created new challenges for its implementation in the United States and abroad.

Now, more than ever, we need to come together and speak up in support of the natural resources we all love and depend on. Stay connected with the 30×30 Project and check out the Get Involved section on each Solution page for more ways to support 30×30 in your community!

Indigenous communities worldwide steward land that is home to 80% of the world’s biodiversity. With proven leadership in species protection, we must look to and elevate these communities as leaders in conservation and endangered species protection.

In order to be protected under the United States’ Endangered Species Act, a species—either animal or plant—must meet at least one of the following factors:¹“Listing Species Under the Endangered Species Act,” NOAA ≫

Dear Congressperson [NAME],

As a constituent and resident of [YOUR STATE], I write to express my continued concern for the protection of endangered species and the ecosystems we all depend on. While I am deeply disappointed that [BILL NUMBER & NAME] did not pass during the 118th Congress and is now considered inactive, I urge you to champion the reintroduction of similar legislation in the 119th Congress to address this urgent issue.

Currently, more than 1,600 species in the United States are listed as either threatened or endangered, and when species suffer, entire ecosystems do as well. This doesn’t just impact plant and animal life, it has far-reaching consequences to human communities as well. To [YOUR STATE] communities!

I ask that you take leadership in the 119th Congress by:

• Supporting or sponsoring legislation that mirrors the goals of [BILL NAME], updated to reflect current environmental challenges.
• Advocating for bipartisan collaboration to ensure protections for at-risk species and their habitats.
• Engaging with stakeholders—scientists, Tribal Nations, farmers, and conservation groups—to craft durable solutions.

The time to act is now. Even incremental progress, such as committee hearings or pilot conservation programs, could lay the groundwork for transformative change.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please share how you plan to address this critical issue in the current session.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]

Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a constituent of [CONGRESSPERSON’S NAME]. I am calling to communicate my concern for endangered species and would like to leave a comment.

Legislative Staff Person will offer to transfer you to an answering machine or take down your message. Use the following to leave your message:

Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I live in [YOUR CITY, STATE]. I am calling to express my concern for the protection of endangered species and my disappointment that [BILL NUMBER & NAME] did not pass during the 118th Congress.

Currently, more than 1,600 species in the United States are listed as either threatened or endangered, and when species suffer, entire ecosystems do as well. This has far-reaching consequences for human communities; for [YOUR STATE] communities.

I urge you to take leadership in the 119th Congress by supporting or sponsoring legislation that mirrors the goals of [BILL NAME], updated to reflect current environmental challenges. I want you to advocate for bipartisan collaboration to ensure protections for at-risk species and habitats, and to engage key stakeholders, like scientists, Tribal Nations, farmers, and conservation groups, to craft durable solutions.

It is absolutely essential if we want a healthy future for the next generation of Americans.

Thank you.

Legislative Staff Person will ask if you want a response. You can politely decline, or say:

Yes. Please have a response sent to my email at [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS] or by phone at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]. Thank you for your assistance. Goodbye.

Compared to the significant harm and influence of major corporations and industries, the actions of individuals are unlikely to have a significant influence on the health and wellbeing of entire species. That said, there are things we can all do to positively impact our communities and the habitats in our own backyards, promoting the well-being of the wildlife where we live.

Enjoy gardening? Plant native species. Not only are species native to your area important for wildlife and soil health, but they’re also particularly suited for the environment where you live, meaning they will require less water and can better withstand the local weather patterns. Need help finding native plant species? Check out this tool from the National Wildlife Federation.

Don’t handle wild animals. This may seem obvious to some, but it bears repeating, especially when it comes to the neighboring wildlife we see every day. Wild animals do not benefit from becoming desensitized to humans. Whether it’s a deer in your backyard or a cute baby duckling at the local creek—don’t try to approach or touch wildlife. If a wild animal appears to be in distress, contact a wildlife rescue for assistance.²”Find wildlife rescue and rehabilitators by state,” Humane Society of the United States ≫  

Avoid toxic fertilizers and insecticides. While, sure, they might make your lawn look green and plush, these harsh chemicals are extremely harmful for biodiversity and water quality. Use natural remedies wherever possible. Peppermint oil, for example, is quite effective for keeping the creepy crawlies out of your home and leaves it smelling minty fresh!

Have a pet? Monitor them when they’re outside. Our pets can significantly impact the biodiversity in our backyards. Outdoor cats, for example, have been shown to have a detrimental impact on bird populations, killing more than 2 billion birds in the U.S. every year.³”Cats and Birds,” American Bird Conservancy ≫ But our feline friends aren’t alone. Dogs are equally guilty of reducing small mammal populations where they live. Keep an eye on your furry companions any time they venture into the great outdoors to make sure they, too, are leaving nothing behind but footprints.

Hunters and fishers are people with occupations or hobbies that, by definition, remove wildlife from a given habitat, and therefore should be responsible for ensuring the health and well-being of those species and habitats. Unrestricted hunting and fishing can reduce species populations, increasing their risk and susceptibility to any number of concerns and making it more difficult for them to replenish.  

While restrictions do exist in regions where there are endangered species or at-risk habitats,⁴“The Importance of Marine Protected Areas,” National Geographic ≫  corporate fishing, poaching, and other illegal and/or unsustainable practices still exist. (Check out our solution on sustainable fisheries to learn more.)

It is to the benefit of hunters and fishers alike to ensure wildlife populations remain strong and stable as this is critical for the success of these occupations and hobbies. Hunters and fishers should support legislation that protects animal species from being exploited. Additionally, fines and taxes can be levied to dissuade large corporations from overfishing and partaking in ecosystem-damaging practices like bottom trawling.⁵“Bottom trawling,” Oceana ≫

Agriculture is one of the biggest leaders in forest clearing and land usage around the world. This impacts habitats and ecosystems, displacing native plants and animals, and frequently introducing non-native (possibly invasive) species to the land. In turn, this affects soil health, wild plant and animal territory, and groundwater and water quality levels among other complications.  

By addressing our approach to agriculture, we can promote the health and wellbeing of native species—plants and animals alike—while still meeting the food demands of modern society. (Check out our sustainable agriculture solution to learn more!)

A balanced ecosystem is a healthy one, and biodiversity plays a key role here. To promote healthy soils that grow healthy foods in abundance, we need to change our agricultural mindset, working with the land and existing ecosystems rather than trying to manipulate them.

Physical waste and waste disposal have notably had a major influence on habitats in the U.S. and around the world. U.S. landfills take up more than 1.8 million acres—and this number continues to grow. Plants and animals are displaced, or worse, forced to live in and around this waste. One truly unsettling example of this is the Pacific Garbage Patch (or, more accurately, patches) that span waters from Japan to the U.S.⁶“Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” National Geographic ≫

Manufacturers and producers of products, especially single-use papers and plastics as well as fast fashion items that are frequently thrown away,⁷“The impact of textile production and waste on the environment (infographics),” European Parliament ≫ should be held responsible for how the items they produce impact ecosystems and species worldwide. Green and environmental taxes are not a new idea, and similar with fossil fuel producers, these taxes can be used to offset a company’s environmental impact.

The industries⁸“The world’s most polluting industries,” Climate Trade ≫ and companies who produce the most carbon emissions (20 companies produce one-third of all global emissions)⁹“Revealed: the 20 firms behind a third of all carbon emissions,” The Guardian ≫ need to take accountability (or be held accountable) for the environmental costs of their actions. This includes how climate change, driven by these emissions, is negatively impacting biodiversity worldwide. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely companies with the largest carbon footprints will do this voluntarily as the vast majority are fossil fuel producers and this would go against their business interests—despite those business interests putting everyone on earth in harm’s way. 

It’s time for the U.S. government to step up and hold the feet of these polluters to the proverbial fire.

How can this be accomplished? For starters, by reducing fossil fuel subsidies (which totaled $757 billion in the U.S. in 2022¹⁰“Proposals to Reduce Fossil Fuel Subsidies,” EESI ≫ and globally surged to a record $7 trillion in 2023)¹¹“Fossil Fuel Subsidies Surged to Record $7 Trillion,” International Monetary Fund ≫ and transferring these benefits to support clean energy providers and initiatives. This is one way we can begin to address this issue. Implementing a separate tax on the creation and use of fossil fuels is another and could bring in hundreds of billions of dollars for additional climate initiatives around the world.¹²“Taxing big fossil fuel firms ‘could raise $900bn in climate finance by 2030’,” The Guardian ≫

The biggest predicted con? A rise in the cost of gas, which affects everyone in our current fossil-fuel based energy system. To bridge this gap, a major transition to clean, renewable energy must be forged in tandem with these initiatives, including an overhaul of our energy grid, improvements to electric vehicle infrastructure, and more.

It’s no easy task, and it will take significant planning, but initiating change starts with holding major polluters accountable. 

Indigenous Nations are world-leaders in environment-forward practices that encourage balanced ecosystems. It is time to recognize them as such and prioritize—on a broad scale—the principles and practices encompassed in Indigenous Knowledge.

Indigenous communities are responsible for an estimated 80% of all global biodiversity despite their lands constituting only 20% of global territory.¹³”Plans to monitor worldwide biodiversity deal risk harming the rights of Indigenous Peoples,” Amnesty International ≫ And yet, land rights continue to be an issue facing Indigenous communities around the world.

On a more local level, municipalities and state governments should have a solid understanding of the biodiversity in their region and how this biodiversity is being aided or harmed by things like local/state industry, pollution, weather and climate, natural disasters, development and urbanization, and more.  

Local knowledge of the environment is critical when establishing baselines and setting up protection and conservation strategies for various species. Local and state governments can use this expertise to help guide decision making and funnel dollars into projects that are having the most significant impact.

Countries around the world have a responsibility to care for the species within their borders. However, it’s important to note that many of the countries and regions listed as experiencing the greatest biodiversity loss are in the Global South and that this problem that is largely occurring as the result of resource exploitation and demand from the Global North.

Countries in the Global South are very often disproportionately impacted by climate change, with women and children suffering the most negative impacts. These countries require support and resources from the wealthier nations that have been more significant contributors of pollution, waste, and other environmental harms. These contributors historically include the United States, Canada, China, Russia, and Most of Europe. However, India, despite being part of the Global South, is now also among the world’s largest emitters of carbon dioxide.

National Governments from the Global North have a duty to acknowledge their countries’ negative impacts on environments across the globe and prioritize funding and resources in support of conservation efforts in both the Global North and South. Other governing bodies who can have a positive impact on wildlife protection and species conservation include groups like the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the World Health Organization, all of which can help develop universal standards of measurement, set goals, ensure equity, and establish deadlines for endangered species protections.

Critical thresholds, or ecological tipping points, are small environmental changes that may seem rather harmless but can lead to irreversible changes to critical ecosystems across the globe. This, in turn, influences how millions of people, plants, and animals are able to live and adapt . . . or not.

For example, since the 19th century, global surface temperatures have risen approximately 1.1°C, which has led to more severe heat waves taking place around the world. One degree may not seem like much at first, but did you know that humans aged 65 and older have been scientifically shown to have less heat tolerance than other populations? In fact, a study performed in Italy showed that people 65 and older, “exhibit disproportionate increases in morbidity and mortality during heat waves.”¹⁷“Heat stress vulnerability and critical environmental limits for older adults,” Nature ≫ This number is particularly significant because we have a rapidly aging global population (the average life expectancy is increasing while worldwide fertility rates decrease)¹⁸”The Lancet: Dramatic declines in global fertility rates set to transform global population patterns by 2100,” Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington ≫ and heat waves continue to grow in length and severity.

But critical thresholds don’t end with temperature. These apply to all kinds of ecological processes, from water quality to soil erosion to air pollution. An ecological tipping point is simply that; a point, no matter how small, beyond which there is no going back. These thresholds haven’t been set to scare you (though we should all be concerned with the rapid rate at which we’re crossing many of them), but as a form of measurement, so we can set goals and determine how and how quickly (now, and very fast) we need to implement change.

Since 1880 when we first began tracking global temperature patterns, our world has warmed by 1.1°C (or 1.9°F). 2023 was the hottest year on record, measuring in at 1.35°C (2.43°F) above the pre-industrial average (the established baseline using temperatures recorded before 1850; we use this to compare against global temperatures today).¹⁹”Global Temperature,” NASA ≫; “Temperatures Rising: NASA Confirms 2024 Warmest Year on Record,” NASA ≫

Now 1.35°C may seem like a relatively low number, but a global change this small can have catastrophic effects; ones we’re already seeing. Warming temperatures impact sea levels, weather patterns, precipitation, and even biodiversity loss as plants and animals struggle to adapt. Scientists warn against reaching 2°C of global temperature warming—the threshold beyond which communities around the globe will begin to experience simultaneous climate disasters and widespread climate-related human displacement due to unlivable temperatures, severe drought, extreme weather, and more.²⁰“NASA Study Reveals Compounding Climate Risks at Two Degrees of Warming,” NASA ≫

Environmental stewardship is the responsible use, understanding, and preservation of the natural world. This includes being knowledgeable of and responsibly implementing conservation and sustainability practices wherever possible.  Anyone can be an environmental steward, but it takes work and dedication. The goal: to ensure a better natural world for the health and well-being of our planet and all of us who live here.

For millennia, Indigenous Knowledge Systems have contributed significantly to environmental stewardship, sustainable resource management, and healthy ecosystems. While practices and expertise may differ between Tribal communities, most Indigenous cultures take a holistic approach to maintaining our environment, emphasizing the interconnectedness of culture, spirit, and biological diversity, and looking at whole ecosystems rather than, or in addition to, focusing on individual species in isolation.

If we want to make significant, positive change for our planet, we must embrace the thought leadership and expertise of the people who have been stewarding it longest and most successfully.

According to Dr. Fikret Berkes, Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba’s Natural Resources Institute, “Traditional ecological knowledge is a cumulative body of knowledge and beliefs, handed down through generations by cultural transmission, about the relationship of living beings (including humans) with one another and with their environment…” ²¹“Traditional Ecological Knowledge,” U.S. Department of the Interior – Indian Affairs ≫

This knowledge is (and has been) acquired by Indigenous Peoples over generations, centuries, and millennia, and is supported by experiences had through direct contact with the environment.²²“Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge,” National Park Service ≫ It is an understanding of the relationships between humans, plants, animals, and all living organisms, and how each of these benefits the others.

“Individual users sharing knowledge with other local users and elders, and then time-testing this new knowledge is part of the evaluation and validation process for TEK.”  

One frequently used practice based on TEK is fire management, or the controlled burning of lands and forests to reduce wildfire risk and promote regrowth and biodiversity.²³“How the Indigenous practice of ‘good fire’ can help our forests thrive,” University of California ≫

Species reintroduction occurs when a member or members of a species—plant or animal—is deliberately moved (by humans) from one geographical region to another within its natural range. The intention of species reintroduction is to encourage repopulation in areas within the natural historic range of a species that is seeing a decline in that species’ population.

Plants and animals can be relocated due to territory conflicts with humans or other animals, a food chain imbalance within a given habitat, or even as an effort to reintroduce greater biodiversity into a region (so long as the species was once native to the area).

Why do we keep emphasizing the importance of reintroducing a species in areas within its native range? Survival and ecosystem health. Species have adapted over time to best fit into their native range, meaning we are giving species the best chance at survival by reintroducing them into regions that would fall under this scope. Additionally, the ecosystem in a species’ native range knows how to function with that species in it. Introducing a species into an entirely new range or territory has the risk of throwing whole habitats off balance.

As characterized by the United Nations, “A Protected Area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.” In other words, these Areas have special legal protections and dedicated management to preserve local biodiversity for environmental and cultural purposes.

According to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a threatened species is, “any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.”

Threatened species are also protected under the ESA, though their protections are fewer than endangered species. For example, while it’s illegal to hunt endangered species, this is not always the case for species with a “threatened” status.

The western bumble bee, blue crane, koala, polar bear, and reindeer are among the approximately 46,000 species currently listed as threatened.²⁵IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ≫ 

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) went into effect in late December of 1973, providing a framework for the United States to protect at-risk species in danger of extinction as well as the habitats they live in. It’s a framework the U.S. still uses today, both domestically and to inform global approaches to animal conservation.

The foundation of this Act was set a decade earlier with the CITES resolution, which took place at a meeting of the members of The World Conservation Union in 1963. CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, aimed to protect species from international trade practices that threatened their survival.²⁶“About,” CITES ≫ The ESA was created to be the active arm of this agreement in the United States; able to respond to the growing decline in plant and wildlife populations.

This, paired with an increasing understanding of the importance of biodiversity, encouraged congress to pass the bipartisan ESA bill for the conservation of species and the ecosystems they live in. The goal? To regulate the USA’s role in preventing the complete eradication of our native plant and animal species.

Today’s species—plants, animals, and organisms alike—share a similar list of threats, including:  

• Climate Change
• Habitat Loss
• Pollution and Pesticides
• Wildlife Exploitation (e.g., poaching)
• Loss of Genetic Variation
• Disease  

All of these concerns have human activity as a contributing factor. For example, the genetic variation crisis facing many species with low population numbers is a direct result of habitat loss due to pollution and deforestation. 

The 30×30 (pronounced “thirty by thirty”) target is a goal set by the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in 2022 to protect 30% of ecologically representative terrestrial lands and 30% of ecologically representative waters, both marine (sea) and fresh, by 2030 to preserve global biodiversity.