Hit the Road Australia's echidnas and New Jersey's diamondback terrapins face a common threat to their survival—collisions with motor vehicles. Echidna Care, Inc. and the Wetlands Institute each depend on highway patrol volunteers to help put the brakes on echidna and terrapin mortality rates. If you can't make it to Kangaroo Island tolend a hand, consider volunteering with one of the Philadelphia Zoo's conservation partners, the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. The Wetlands' terrapin conservation project offers several ways you can help diamondback terrapins right here at home!Learn more >
Make Habitat Restoration a Habit Fairmount Park's Natural Lands Restoration and Environmental Education Program offers many opportunities for you and your family to get involved in protecting local wildlife and its habitat. The Pennypack Environmental Center and the Wissahickon Environmental Center, both located in Fairmount Park, use volunteers to help remove invasive plants, clean up parks, control erosion, repair trails and work on native plant reforestation projects. For those with busy schedules, the Wissahickon Environmental Center hosts regular workdays called "Service Saturdays." In addition to single workdays, the Pennypack Environmental Center provides an opportunity to make a longer-term commitment by joining its Protect Your Park program. For information on volunteering at any of Fairmount Park's environmental education centers, email Tom Dougherty at thomas.dougherty@phila.gov. Learn more >
Act Locally
Participate in your township's planning commission meetings to stay on top of zoning and development plans in your community. The infrastructure of a township administration comprises a handful of "at-large" elected positions, with the majority of those in power voted in at town meetings or appointed by an elected township commission. Discussions and decisions made at township general meetings and sub-committee meetings have a direct impact on the daily lives of residents and in many cases on wildlife and habitat, such as open space initiatives. The importance of having a voice in this process should not be underestimated. Township commission meetings are open to the public. Check your township's web page for details on how you can participate in your next meeting.
Keep It Wild
Protect open space by ensuring your or your family's land will be preserved in perpetuity. Many counties and townships are experiencing a four to one developed to open space ratio. This means that for every acre protected, four are developed. Conserving private property is vital to saving open space. Conservation easements, bargain sales and donations are just a few examples of how landowners can preserve their land and benefit financially. The Land Trust Alliance is a valuable resource for locating the best organizations to work with to protect land and keep apprised of open space issues. For a complete list of land trust organizations in your area, go to the Land Trust Alliance website, click on "Find a Land Trust" and select your state on the map. Learn more >
Be a Conservation Steward
Monitoring environmental impacts on local streams and watersheds, open space and wildlife is a valuable and rewarding volunteer activity that the entire family can enjoy. Many environmental and wildlife organizations have monitoring programs and rely heavily on volunteers to collect data and assist in developing conservation strategies. Typically, volunteers take ownership of a particular stretch of land or water within their community and report on its wildlife and environmental activity on a regular basis. Common titles like Adopt a Park or Adopt a Highway refer to types of monitoring programs. Visit the website of your favorite conservation organization and find out how you can become a conservation steward.
