Investing in the future preservation of wildlife and enabling the safe coexistence of people and wildlife through rescue and rehabilitation (HOW to Heal), public education (HOW to Learn), and habitat conservation (HOW to Preserve).
WHY
POPULATION GROWTH
The world’s population grew by 1 billion people in the 12-year period (1998- 2010) and added another 1 billion people in a similar 12-year period (2010- 2022), totaling 8 billion inhabitants. (Economist.com – November 11, 2022).
In 2020, the world generated 2.2 billion tons of solid waste and solid waste production will grow 73% by 2050 to 3.9 billion tons annually. (The World Bank – February 11, 2022).
To date, 75% of the terrestrial environment has been “severely altered” by human actions. (United Nations 2023 Sustainable Development Goals Summit).
HABITAT LOSS
Defined as the elimination or alteration of the conditions necessary for animals and plants to survive, habitat destruction impacts not only individual species but the health of the global ecosystem. (National Geographic Society Newsroom – September 25, 2019).
Coral reefs have been cut in half since 1950 … 10 million hectares of forest are lost worldwide every year. (The Economist – December 24, 2022).
Approximately 15 billion trees are cut down each year and nearly half of the trees worldwide have been lost since the beginning of civilization. (National Geographic Society Newsroom – September 25, 2019).
BIODIVERSITY LOSS
The U.S. and Canada have lost 2.9 billion (1 out of 4) breeding birds since 1970 and show downward trends in every habitat except wetlands. (North American Bird Conservation Initiative – U.S. State of the Birds Report 2022).
Monitored populations of vertebrates (mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish) have seen a devastating 69% drop on average since 1970. (World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Report – 2022).
One third of all U.S. wildlife species and nearly 1 million species worldwide are already at increased risk of extinction. (National Wildlife Federation).
CONSERVATION IMPERATIVE
Studies suggest protecting 50% of the land and ocean could enable plant and animal species to thrive. Today, only 15% and 7% respectively is protected. (National Geographic Society Newsroom – September 25, 2019).
“The world is waking up to the fact that our future depends on reversing the loss of nature … Everyone has a role to play.” (Carter Roberts, CEO World Wildlife Fund – US).
Humans must reassess our impact on the ecosystems upon which we and all life depend … coexistence (with wildlife) is not only possible but essential to life and livelihoods. (International Fund for Animal Welfare – Coexistence: Living with wildlife in a human dominated world).
HOW
EDUCATION about wildlife, its importance, and associated strategies of coexisting with urban and suburban areas.
- Educate the public about the wildlife around them, the value of wildlife in their communities, and how to safely interact and coexist with wildlife.
- Expand and enhance the programming capabilities of existing educational centers.
- Establish and fund wildlife educational internships.
- Support research efforts and environmental studies.
The REHABILITATION and release back to their natural environments of injured and orphaned wild animals.
- Support new start-up and existing wildlife rehabilitators achieve their mission through financial, managerial, and operational support.
- Open and operate rehabilitation centers and wildlife sanctuaries in areas of need or partner with existing rehabilitators to expand their reach and community impact.
- Expand the network of trained and permitted volunteers to rescue and transport injured wildlife to receive medical care.
CONSERVATION of land for environmental benefit and wildlife preservation as well as creating new innovative habitats in which wildlife can thrive.
- Establish land reserves to support a healthy balance between habitable wild space and developed real estate.
- Support wildlife habitat restoration and biodiversity projects.
PARTNER with other foundations and organizations to promote the welfare of wildlife.
- Work with other organizations to promote the welfare of wildlife and habitat and to educate the public about wildlife related issues.
- Establish legacy giving and estate plans to support the coexistence of wildlife and people in the future.