Wildlife Populations and the Environment
By Lisa Gilbert

Wildlife populations depend on their environment or habitat to receive the basic needs for survival. An ecosystem or habitat provides populations of wildlife with food, water, shelter, and space. If all four of these basic needs are not available in a suitable arrangement, populations of wildlife will cease to exist.

Some of the biggest threats to wildlife include illegal wildlife trade, habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, and climate change.

Ideas on How you personally can help:

• Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard. Lawns offer minimal food and shelter for wildlife. Try replacing part of your lawn with garden beds or native plants and flowers instead.
• Get crafty! Buy or build your own birdhouse or bat house. This can provide hours of fun for the whole family.
• Keep fresh water outside for birds and wildlife - birdbaths, fountains, and ponds in shady areas of your backyard or even a water bowl outside around your house or garden for thirsty wildlife when they visit.
• No yard? No problem! Balconies and patios are great locations for container gardens.
• Do not use pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers on your lawn or garden beds. These products are the leading cause of wildlife poisonings and are also toxic to companion animals.
• Cut up plastic rings from soda and other beverages before you throw it away - that’s just one less animal getting suffocated!
• Reduce light pollution: artificial light at night has severe negative effects on wildlife. To help, only use lighting when and where it is needed, properly shield all outdoor lights, keep your blinds drawn during the evening, and if safety is a concern, install motion detector lights and timers.
• Never buy exotic animals, particularly those who were wild-caught, and never purchase parts and products made from wildlife, including souvenirs (ivory, herbal remedies, etc.).
• Do not buy clothing or other products that use fur or feathers.
• Eat sustainable seafood. Before you order that sushi deluxe, consider where it came from. Many species are overfished; some are nearing ecological extinction. Becoming an informed seafood consumer can have a direct impact on reducing demand for overfished species.
• Respect wild animals by keeping a safe distance away, not approaching them, and not removing them from their environment. If you find young animals, particularly in the spring, do not handle them. Mothers often leave young for extended periods to forage. Although the young may appear to be abandoned, the mother will almost certainly return within 24 hours, and handling the young puts them in danger. If you encounter an injured wild animal, contact a certified animal rescuer in your area.
• Think before you buy: Choose products that are energy efficient, durable, made from sustainable sources, and sustainably packaged. Avoid products that harm animals and habitats, such as gas-guzzling vehicles, disposable plastics and plastic microbeads, paper products not made from recycled paper, products grown with pesticides, and products made with palm oil. Also avoid products that test on animals and contain animal parts or derivatives.

• Reduce, reuse, recycle!
• Reduce: Manufacturing consumer products uses energy and natural resources and creates waste and pollution. When we consume less, we need fewer natural resources and produce less waste. Some waste, like plastic bags and bottles, can make its way into wildlands and oceans, with negative consequences for endangered species and other animals. Reduce or eliminate your use of single-use plastics, which are difficult to recycle and persist in the environment for decades.
• Reuse: Do not throw it away if it still has a use! If you have unwanted books, toys, clothes, or other items in good condition, consider giving them to charity instead of throwing them in the trash.
• Recycle: Avoid disposable products and products with excessive packaging or packaging that cannot easily be recycled. Find out what is recyclable in your area and recycle everyday items such as aluminum cans, glass and plastic containers, and cardboard and paper products. Dispose of electronics, batteries, and other potentially hazardous materials at municipal collection centers that will handle them properly.