Celebrate National Wildlife Day

September 4th is National Wildlife Day. A day that celebrates the natural world all around us, particularly of the creatures we share our planet with. It’s an opportunity for us to recognize the preservation and conservation efforts of countless people everywhere, and what we as humans can do participate in the improvement of the natural world.

Ansel Adams put it beautifully: “Today, we must realize that nature is revealed in the simplest meadow, wood lot, marsh, stream, or tidepool, as well as in the remote grandeur of our parks and wilderness areas.”

National Wildlife Day was founded back in 2005 by Colleen Paige, an animal behaviorist and philanthropist, in an effort to rescue and preserve endangered animal species from demise. The day also strives to acknowledge outstanding animal sanctuaries around the world for all they do to help preserve these animals and to educate the public about ongoing conservation efforts -- especially children, our next generation of conservationists and caretakers.

How to Participate in National Wildlife Day

• Help promote a NWD event at your local library.
• If your local school, library, or animal nonprofit organization does not already hold a NWD event, suggest one and offer to help.
• Help support NWD by promoting the day on social media and use hashtags such as #wildlifeday, #conservation, #wildlifeconservationday, and #nationalwildlifeday.
• Help clean beaches, rescue wild animals, or teach tourists about your local habitat
• Donate money to the National Wildlife Federation or World Wildlife Fund. Or donate to an official conservation group.
• Take a hike! Go to your favorite natural outdoor space and spend a few hours taking in the peacefulness of nature. Go birdwatching or participate in other wildlife viewing.
• When you travel or go on vacation, make a point to visit and learn about our state and national parks and nature reserves.

What will you do to celebrate National Wildlife Day?

Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who had the rare privilege of studying under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19 years old. Now, Rob is on a journey to explore and photograph all 61 of America’s National Parks. He’s creating WPA-style posters to help people celebrate their own national park adventures — as well as encourage others to get out and explore!

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