Conservation Champions: 12 Organizations That Protect Our Earth

Consider these facts:

• The number one reason for species decline is habitat loss
• Approximately 90 percent of the energy used by the United States is from nonrenewable resources
• Less than one percent of the water on Earth is safe for human consumption
• In 2015, over 20 percent of all coral reefs experienced a 90 percent mortality rate due to global warming

 

While alarming, these statistics generally aren’t in the forefront of our minds. That’s where Earth Day comes into play. This tradition has held strong for 46 years and huge achievements in preserving the planet have come from it. The purpose behind the movement is to inspire individuals to step up to the plate and help tackle some of the world’s most pressing environmental problems. Today, Earth Day is recognized in over 196 countries, and more than 50,000 organizations partner with the Earth Day network to promote environmental mindfulness.

Many nonprofit organizations work year-round to promote environmental conservation. Today we recognize a few of these great organizations. Each of these nonprofits focus on different initiatives to help our planet, from protecting lakes to saving endangered species. Let’s take a peek at how they strive to make Earth a better place.

1. Surfrider Foundation

Thirty years ago, a group of surfers took a stance against ocean and beach pollution and founded Surfrider Foundation. What started as an attempt to save the beaches they surfed in Malibu has since evolved into an effort to protect the entire nation’s surrounding oceans, waves, and beaches. Surfrider Foundation aims to keep beaches open for all to enjoy, protect ocean water and beaches from pollution, and preserve the natural beauty of our nation’s coasts. Today, Surfrider Foundation has expanded into 85 chapters in 10 regions across the country.

Thanks to Surfrider Foundation, 56 percent of our nation’s coasts are now protected. Since 2006 they’ve run 351 campaigns to support this effort, and they’re not stopping there. This would not be possible without the work of their volunteers, who dedicate hours of their free time to help bring about positive coastal change.

Learn more about how you can sign a petition, donate money to save the coast, or give your time to Surfrider Foundation.

2. League to Save Lake Tahoe

Subject to things like urbanization, invasive species, and climate change, the crystal blue waters of Lake Tahoe would not have remained pristine without massive conservation efforts. The League to Save Lake Tahoe has spent years working hard to protect and restore the environmental health of this beautiful body of water. They work to preserve watersheds that support the surrounding nature and empower the local community to help maintain the lake. To date they’ve secured hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds for restoration projects that benefit the lake.

They’ve also…

• Secured $600K in funding to fight invasive species
• Received approval for a 20-year regional plan to improve Tahoe
• Passed a measure to ban plastic grocery bags in South Lake Tahoe

Learn more about how you can help “Keep Tahoe Blue.”

3. National Aquarium

The National Aquarium isn’t just a place where children can learn about the ocean’s inhabitants. It’s also a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting both the ocean and the creatures living in it through animal rescue, conservation, and education.

Each year, the National Aquarium strives to not only positively impact the ocean but also to provide the tools needed for future generations to carry on their legacy. In 2015 alone, 150,000 students were educated in ocean conservation. Other notable achievements in 2015 included:

• 130,000 pieces of trash removed from the ocean
• 3,000 volunteers helped the aquarium operate and inspire conservation
• 170 species of wildlife identified through bioblitzes
• 1.3 million visitors to the National Aquarium
• 40 percent of their energy powered by renewable sources
• $314 million in direct and indirect economic impact in Maryland

Learn more about the National Aquarium’s Earth Day campaign, #48daysofblue and how their work is protecting oceans and marine life.

4. Citizens’ Climate Education

Citizens’ Climate Education believes even an ordinary person has the ability to do something extraordinary. That’s why they give individuals the tools and information they need to raise awareness about climate change solutions. The hope is that by educating politicians, the media, and society at large, real change can be made to solve one of the most pressing environmental issues in the world. To further these dialogues, Citizens’ Climate Education holds conferences that band together NGOs, stakeholders, and anyone interested in learning how to advocate for environmental change.

Citizens’ Climate Education has inspired constituents around the world to take action against climate change. In 2015, with the help of its sister organization, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and their supporters, they accomplished the following:

• 1,235 meetings held with congressional and other legislative officers
• 3,000 letters to the editor and 535 op-eds published
• 15,000 personal letters written to Congress
• Thousands of outreach events hosted

Learn more about how you can help Citizens’ Climate Education advocate for a better future.

5. Trees for the Future

Plant a tree to save lives. This is the mindset Trees for the Future operates in. They believe that when rural communities are provided with the education and resources needed to plant trees, sustainable change is created through these beneficial farming techniques. Forest gardens are an opportunity to improve crop yields, increase household income, and bond as a community.

Currently Trees for the Future has 14 projects in the works in five countries in Sub Saharan Africa.

Learn more about how planting trees impacts people’s lives and how you can get involved.

6. Zoo Miami Foundation

Since 1956, the Zoo Miami Foundation has educated people on the importance of conserving wildlife and how to accomplish this for future generations. Their various projects benefit a wide range of species including the American Flamingo, cheetahs, and the Florida Panther.

A few of Zoo Miami Foundation’s 2015 achievements include:

• Contributed over $440,000 towards field conservation and mission-based research
• Completed 20,000 medical procedures and assessments of zoo animals
• Began a detailed study on the zoo’s conservation efforts for gopher tortoises in order to better understand their habits and susceptibility to disease
• Contributed over $36,000 in support of partner organizations protecting global populations of endangered species

One hundred percent of contributions donated to Zoo Miami’s conservation efforts go toward the project of your choice. Get more information on how to save endangered species.

7. Crutches 4 Kids

Crutches 4 Kids promotes recycling by collecting used crutches and distributing them to kids in need worldwide. Used crutches are collected through sustainable recycling, drives, and donations. Through this program, they help to eliminate waste while improving the lives of underprivileged children.

To date, they’ve prevented 14.5 tons of waste in landfills.

When speaking about their impact, Ramón Pena, Executive Director, says,

Have a walker, cane, or pair of old crutches you’d like to donate? Don’t let it become waste. Find out more information on how you can support Crutches 4 Kids.

8. Keep America Beautiful

Keep America Beautiful aims to do just that: preserve and improve our natural surroundings nationwide. They plan to achieve this by beautifying communities, eliminating littering, and encouraging recycling. Their mission is to inspire communities to band together to improve and take care of their surrounding environment. To date, more than 5.5 million volunteers have dedicated their time to improving more than 20,000 communities.

Each year, Keep America Beautiful hosts the Great American Cleanup—the largest community improvement program in the country. This program features four “beautification events” during the months of March and April. Beautification involves projects like planting native species, creating gardens, and repurposing vacant lots. The impact generated from the Great American Cleanup in 2015 resulted in:

• 4 million volunteers and participants involved
• 20,200 communities engaged
• 41,000 trees planted
• 1.5 million flowers and bulbs planted
• 250 million+ items collected for recycling
• 85,901 miles of highways, trails, waterways, shorelines, and roads cleaned

Check out how you can get involved in the 2016 Great American Cleanup.

9. Climate Reality Project

The Climate Reality Project encourages individuals to see the climate crisis as an urgent problem that needs to be addressed worldwide. They target passionate activists and ask them to join their community of like-minded individuals. These activists work to transform the politics around the climate crisis in order to ultimately reduce carbon emissions to net zero. To date, 3.5 million supporters have rallied to Climate Reality Project’s cause.

Climate Reality Project’s hard work has paid off. So far, they’ve:

• Recruited 3.5 million advocates
• Exposed 51,068,928 people to the climate crisis through Climate Reality Project’s videos, blog posts, or interactive experiences
• Prompted 110,419,490 voices to speak up about the climate crisis
• Sparked 434,982 actions, such as petitions signed, and presentations given, to create progress towards their end-goal
• Influenced 161,923,400 global actions to take place that benefit their cause

Learn more about how Climate Reality Project empowers their advocates.

10. Urban Ecology Center

The future lies in the hands of today’s youth. This is why the Urban Ecology Center is dedicated to providing youth with the tools and education necessary to change their neighborhoods for the better. This includes protecting public natural areas by making them safe and easily accessible. While environmental youth education is at the core of Urban Ecology Center’s mission, they also share their knowledge with adults and teens by hosting workshops and events geared toward older demographics.

Urban Ecology Center is getting ready for one of their largest events, their 2016 summer camps. Here children are exposed to the beauty of nature and learn about the environment through activities like hikes, art projects, and photography. These hands-on educational experiences aim to help children develop a deep connection with nature.

Most recently, Urban Ecology Center has:

• Hosted 28,000 students on educational field trips
• Received 206,000 visitors to their branches
• Recruited 3,797 volunteers to participate in projects for community betterment
• Lent outdoor equipment necessary to complete their projects 2,540 times

Learn more about the Urban Ecology Center and discover how you can help children connect with nature
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11. Trust for Public Land

Public land can mean a lot of things: it can be the park down the street, your favorite hiking trail, or even a national park. Trust for Public Land creates and protects this land for people to enjoy.

While it may seem that public land is abundant in some areas of the country, one in three residents in many cities across the nation do not have access to a park or natural area. Increasing development is also causing America’s open spaces to deplete rapidly: at a rate of 6,000 acres a day. To encourage others to fight for public land, Trust for Public Land’s latest campaign—the #OutLand campaign—encourages individuals to share their stories on how they protect land near them. These stories are then shared on Trust for Public Land’s website for all to see.

In 2015 Trust for Public Land:

• Protected 92,978 acres of land
• Passed 19 state and local ballot measures to protect land nationwide
• Completed 140 land conservation projects

Learn more about protecting public land and how you can share your own story on how you help protect nature.

12. Delaware Riverkeeper Network

More than 17 million people rely on the Delaware River for drinking water. Unfortunately, this water source’s integrity is regularly threatened from things like resource extraction and pollution. In efforts to protect the natural water source, its wildlife, and the people who depend on the water, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network empowers its community members to speak up for change and join them in restoring the river.

Their programs include things like:

• River monitoring
• Habitat restoration
• Advocacy and litigation work
• Awareness campaigns

To date they’ve had a number of advocacy, litigation, and habitat restoration successes. From taking steps to improve water quality, to defeating proposals for dam constructions, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network works continuously to protect this natural resource.

Find out how you can support the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and get involved today.

Earth Day may just be one day a year, but conserving the environment can be practiced all year long. Let these organizations serve as inspiration for how you can make a difference in the world. Whether it’s planting a tree or adopting an animal at a zoo, your contributions make a difference. Join the Earth Day movement and celebrate conservation every day.

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Every Campaign. Every Channel. #Winning

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