March 3rd is proclaimed as World Wildlife Day.

According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), pause for breathing.

This day was established in December 2013 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

This year’s theme is:

“Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”

The celebration of this particular day means, shining a light on the importance of forests, species that live in these forests, and ecosystems that serve as a home for millions of people globally, whose life is directly attached and dependent on these ecosystems.

In more simple words, giving a-care about our forests and the millions of indigenous and or local communities around the world, that get all their basic needs from them; clothing, food, shelter, all possible because of the sustainability of these forests and their wildlife.

Because of Covid, the United Nations is celebrating this year, virtually. They are having an online event, if you visit their official website, wildlife.org you can find details about this virtual event, that will be publicly broadcasted.

How can we acknowledge and celebrate this special day?

• We can bring awareness to social media about the celebration of our forest and wildlife.
• The UN mentioned on their website the official hashtags for this 2021 World Wild Life Day:
•  #ForestPeoplePlanet; #WorldWildlifeDay; #WWD2021
• Find out if your community is hosting online events that have discussions about this day.
• You can watch the official UN(United Nations) celebration and share it with friends and family.
• If don’t have much information or knowledge about our forests and ecosystems, that is totally ok. Take an interest and find out from people that do know and can share their insights.
• Use your voice, your art to raise awareness. Whether is your paintings, your words, your music, shine a light on the world’s need to respect our flora and fauna. To respect our wildlife and acknowledge how many people’s lives are dependant on it.
• Researching online about foundations that protect Wildlife, maybe we can donate or participate with them. Giving it our time and attention also counts.

Here are a few organizations that support WildLife around the world:

THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND (WWF)

They work to help local communities conserve the natural resources they depend upon; as well as protecting wildlife around the world.

Few examples of animals they protect:

Tigers

Rhinos

Whales

Marine Turtles

Pandas

PROJECT AWARE FOUNDATION

They focus on scuba dive-based marine conservation in the world’s ocean.

They work with animals like Sharks and Rays. They also have diverse programs with research focused on cleaning our oceans and maintaining marine life safe.

THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

They protect animals that are threatened by climate change or misuse of resources.

Some of the species that they work with are:

Elephants

Bears

Apes

Tigers

Tortoises

There are so many non-profit organizations that are fighting for our forest and our precious animal life, just by going online came across many that are near my community, which I never heard of before.

It all begins with taking an interest. Small actions amount to big changes. Let’s start giving a-care today.