Look up! Breathe deep! Earth Day comes during one of the sweetest-smelling, most radiant times of the year. You don't have to go far to celebrate nature, as migrating birds return to your backyard, neighborhood parks brim with petals, and the warm weather melts our cabin fever away.

Around the globe, more than half a billion people are celebrating the 36th annual Earth Day, and finding ways to make the world a greener place. So get involved! As the premier organization dedicated to conserving wildlife of every hue and stripe and speckle and spot, we invite you to join us in our commitment by practicing these Earth-friendly suggestions.

Cheep cheep! Like the sounds of a backyard chorus? Visit http://www.wcs.org/birdgardening to find out how you can provide a friendly environment for the wild birds that share our city and suburbs.

Garden for the bugs! Learn how planting flowers that will attract insects like earthworms, butterflies, and midge flies to your yard keeps it green and healthy. Visit for a list of bug bytes.

Like a shore dinner? Learn how to choose seafood that comes from healthy, thriving fisheries by visiting http://www.wcs.org/gofish, where you can print out a seafood wallet card to carry with you.

Reduce, reuse, recycle. With the continual growth of the "human footprint," or human influence, on the Earth's land surface, the world's resources are at stake. But nature is often resilient if given half a chance. By finding ways to tread more gently on the planet, and to co-exist with wildlife, we can help offer that chance.

Conserve water. Visit http://www.wcs.org/conservewater to find out ten simple tips to help save this precious resource.

Take action! Whether you'd like to stand up for the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or support legislation to protect great cats and rare canines, you can make a difference for wildlife. Visit http://www.wcs.org/getinvolved/takeaction to get involved.

Stop the skin trade. WCS believes only a reptile needs a reptile skin. But handbags, shoes, boots, and other accessories made from reptile skins continue to be "en vogue"-contributing to the loss of tens of millions of wild animals each year. Visit http://www.wcs.org/skintrade to learn what you can do to stop this devastating trade.

Save our rain forests! Even if you are a resident of the "urban jungle," everyday decisions you make can affect these precious ecosystems. Visit http://www.wcs.org/rainforestsheet to learn how using recycled paper products, choosing sustainably harvested rain forest food products, and making other careful consumer decisions can help conserve wild lands.

Pet lover? If you are looking for a pet, why not adopt a dog or cat from your local animal shelter? The trade in exotic pets-from tigers to monkeys-can be dangerous for humans and is often deadly for wildlife populations.

Volunteer! Become a member of the team at one of our zoos or at our aquarium and turn your enthusiasm for nature into action that makes a difference. Visit http://www.wcs.org/getinvolved/volunteers to find out more about the docent programs at our five facilities.



Posted by: Kelly    Source