As mentioned in our blog earlier this week, animal endangerment and extinction are almost always due to overpopulation of humans. Humans have caused the deforestation of major rain forests and pollution of water systems. They have hunted some species to extinction. While we cannot do much to control our ever-growing population, there are ways we can help prevent our species from overrunning the planet and eliminating the creatures we share Earth with. Here are a few ways you can you help prevent animal endangerment and extinction!

1. Check Out the World Wildlife Fun

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)’s website, the vision of this non-profit organization is, “to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature.” And that is precisely what they do. Through education and awareness, the WWF has contributed immensely to conservation efforts around the world, whether it’s through call-to-action campaigns (such as the Earth Hour City Challenge) or by helping establish national parks. The WWF is always looking for donations. These donations are put towards conservation research, campaigns headed by the WWF, fundraising efforts, and other relief funds. You can also become a WWF Member and receive invitations to WWF activities (including fundraisers), progress reports on activities headed by WWF, travel opportunities, and much more.

2. Look Into Other Non-Profits for Conservation

There are dozens of non-profits that focus their efforts on conservation. The Natural Resources Defense Control has a comprehensive list of non-profits that are environmentally focused. You can find that list here, but we’ve picked a few of our favorites to highlight below:
Defenders of Wildlife: This non-profit focuses habitat conservation and biodiversity.
Earthwatch: This non-profit is much more scientific research based.
Greenpeace: Looking to get active? Greenpeace is really into peaceful protests!
Oceana: This non-profit focuses most of it’s efforts on ocean conservation, as well as pollution clean-up.
The Wilderness Society: The Wilderness Society not only focuses on the environment, but energy conservation as well.

3. Volunteer!

Volunteering is the most hands-on help you could give towards conservation efforts. All of the non-profits listed above have volunteer opportunities year-round. Whether you give one-time help at a beach clean-up or volunteer to clear litter from the highways in your city each weekend, your volunteering helps more than you know. By volunteering your time and effort, you are allowing others to focus their efforts on bigger projects that require more man power (and time/money) to complete.