Wildlife Conservation
Reviews and ratings of quality, hand-picked, websites
See Also: Primate Conservation
African Wildlife Foundation
• www.awf.org
Headers: The African Heartlands, Wildlives: African Animals, Success Stories, Act Now!, About Us, Wildlife Wallpaper, Wildlives Guidebook
Beginning life in 1961 as the African Wildlife Leadership Foundation, the Foundation officially became the African Wildlife Foundation in 1983. The AWF campaigns on conservation and also funds various projects such as the African Heartlands Program in which the AWF teams up with local governments to develop conservation strategies, strengthens the infrastrucutre of national parks, secures wildlife migration paterns and encourages wildlife enterprises such as ecotourism. The AWF was responsible for funding Dian Fossey and her work with mountain gorillas. You can help by becoming a member or simply making a donation. Members receive four issues per year of the newsletter African Wildlife News plus email updates.
Born Free Foundation
• www.bornfree.org.uk
Headers: News, Campaigns, Education, Get Involved, Extras, Zoo Check Projects & Campaigns, Zoo Check in Europe, Review of UK Zoos, Traveller's Alert, Useful Information, Get Involved, Latest news, e-cards, Competition, Photos
Established in 1991, the Born Free Foundation brought together under one banner all the projects launched by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna as a result of their roles in the film "Born Free" in 1964. These projects included Zoo Check which campaigns against the abuse of animals in zoos and Elefriends which campaigns for the protection of elephants. Born Free campaigns for the conservation of wild animals and against the keeping of animals in zoos and circuses and as exotic pets by petitioning governments, offering help and expertise to solve the worst cases of animal abuse. You can help by giving a donation, volunteering or joining Activate! where you can get involved by fundraising, writing letters and generally raising awareness.
Conservation International
• www.conservation.org
Headers: Conservation Regions, Conservation Strategies, Conservation Programs, Get Involved
The aim of Conservation International is to conserve the Earth's living natural heritage and biodiversity. This is achieved through a variety of projects from scitentific research to health and family planning programs in places such as Cambodia. CI is a US, nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation and works in over 40 coountries worldwide.
Countryside Council for Wales
• www.ccw.gov.uk
Headers: Our work, News, Events & Meetings, Places to visit, Offices & People, Publications & Research
The Countryside Council for Wales is the wildlife conservation authority for Wales, with the responsibily for reporting to government. Their work encompasses a range of areas from earth sicence to wildlife protection to marine environments, and the site contains detailed, easily assessible and very readable, information on the work they do. The site also has advice and information, including maps, on the 67 nature reserves, 3 national trails and thousands of public footpaths throughout Wales.
Defra
• www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside
Information regarding wildlife and countryside issues from Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
Environment Agency
• www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Headers: Air Quality, Conservation, Fish, Flood, Land Quality, Navigation, Recreation, Waste, Water Quality, Water Resources
If you wantto find out what the government initiatives are on a variety of environmental issues, then head forthe Environment Agency. Follow the links to find out what is happen in your region of the country.
International Animal Rescue
• www.iar.org.uk
Headers: News, About Us, Make a Donation, UK, India, Mauritius, Malta, Greece & Turkey, USA
Founded in 1988 by John and Jo Hicks, International Animal Rescue is a small charitable organisation for the rescue and rehabilitation of animals worldwide. The head office is in Sussex with centres in India and Malta. It has vetinary services in India, dealing with dogs, cats, pigs, goats, cows and water buffalo, a "dancing" bear rescue facility in Agra, a bird rescue hospital in Malta and programmes for sterilising street cats and dogs in Greece, Turkey, Mauritius and the US. The IAR is currently planning a marine mammal rescue centre in the UK. They also have a whale and dolphin roadshow which is available for schools and public events. You can make a donation to IAR online.
International Fund for Animal Welfare
• www.ifaw.org
Headers: Donate Now, Save Animals, Join Campaigns, Get Involved
Originally set up to raise awareness of the plight of seal pups in Canada, the IFAW now has offices in countries throughout the world. Campaigns include protecting whales, elephants, pet rescue, emeergency relief and fighting the illegal tade in wildlife, to name just a few of the projects they are involved with.
Mammals Trust UK
• www.mtuk.org
Headers: About mtuk, Project funding, Press releases, Projects, Mtuk magazine, Wildlife watching, Conferences, Mammals facts, Mammals surveys, Kids page, E-postcards, Wildlife reserves, Shop, Support us
The aim of the Trust is to conserve British mammals. Clearly lots of information on the habits and distribution of UK mamals here, including online videos. If you join (£36 pa) or donate to the Trust you get their magazine and the opportunity to take part in wildlife watching events.
Marine Conservation Society
• www.mcsuk.org
Headers: Marine World, Marine Action, Support MCS, Join MCS, Shop
Established in 1977, the Marine Conservation Society is a UK national charity for the protection of the marine environment and its wildlife. In addition to campaigning, the Society funds projects such as Beachwatch which involves monitoring and cleaning beaches throughout the year - litter is potentially harmful in its impact on wildlife, marine ecosystems and human communities. You can help by getting involved in projects, joining, or you could adopt-a-turtle! The site contains lots of information on marine species, habitats and threats.
One World Wildlife
• www.oneworldwildlife.org
Headers: Get Involved, About, Team, Projects, News
With head offices in Bristol, One World Wildlife is a recently formed UK registered charity working to suppport ecological research, sustainable development initiatives and environmental education projects. In practise, this means working with local people to achieve an economically viable balance between conservation and the needs of the local communities. They have a large number current projects operating worldwide, from ecological monitoring of threatened UK species to the development and management of the Strandloper eco-trail in South Africa. You can help by making a donation online.
People's Trust for Endangered Species
• www.ptes.org
Headers: About, Projects, BAPs, PTES Shop, Conferences, Kid's Page, Funding, Appeals, Wildlife Watching, British Mammals, Surveys, Publications
Founded in 1977, PTES is based in London and funds a wide variety of projects involving the conservation of endangered species worldwide, including the UK, as well as funding scientific research. Project examples include research and monitoring of the Black Rhino in Namibia and the jaguar in Venezuela. They also run surveys to monitor the state of British Mammals that you can take part in plus they own Hurst Copse on the Isle of Wight, a woodland SSSI that you can visit on your own or as part of one of the Trust's wildlife watching events.
Plantlife
• www.plantlife.org.uk
Headers: About Plantlife, Species & Habitat Conservation, Nature Reserves, Important Plant Areas, Influencing Change, How You Can Help, Get Involved
Plantlife is a UK charity for the conservation of wild plants in their natural habitat and its goal is to halt the loss of wild plant diversity. Its President is David Bellamy and its patron is the Prince of Wales. Plantlife has nature reserves at 22 sites in England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man, 18 of which are open to the public.The site contains a great deal of information on rare British plants. You can make a donation or get involved by helping to survey wild flower populations, volunteering in their Salisbury office, or even becoming a "Flora Guardian" and helping with conservation work in a hands on way. The site contains a full list of their events programmes.
The Rainforest Foundation
• www.rainforestfoundationuk.org
Headers: Support Us, About Us, News, Events, Campaigns, Projects, Publications, Photo Gallery
Founded in 1989 by Sting and Trudie Styler, The Rainforest Foundation works to support indigenous people and their efforts to protect their environment. The Foundation works by funding practical projects in tropical rainforest areas, working with local people, and by campaigning. Current projects are in Cameroon, the Congo, Gabon, Guyana, Indonesia, Madagascar, Peru and Venezuela. You can support the Foundation by volunteering, making a donation, the "Protect an Acre" scheme and by fundraising events. Details of international expeditions are also available on the site.
RSPB
• www.rspb.org.uk
Headers: Advice, Birds & Wildlife, Reserves, Shop
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is a wildlife conservation charity founded in 1889. Part of its aim is to protect and restore important wildlife areas across the UK. At present there are over 150 RSPB reserves in the UK covering more than 240,000 acres. Each reserve is described with details of opening times and charges. The site contains an A-Z of UK birds with images, descriptions and habits. If you are new to birdwatching, there is also a section on watching birds, which contains useful tips and advice.
Membership of the society is £34 per year for one adult or £44 per year for 2 adults. Family membership is £50.
Youngsters under 16 might also be interested in the RSPB's free Wildlife Fun Book - plus there are lots of other, free, online, activities such as games, competitions and educational articles.
Save the Rhino
• www.savetherhino.org
Headers: RhiNEWS, Join, Support, Projects, Marathons, UK Events, Lectures & Talks, News, Shop, Rhino Facts, Volunteering
Work involves projects for the protection of rhinos and their habitats. To help raise public awareness, there are events, lectures and marathons you can take part in. There are also several volunteering oportunities in the UK and overseas.
UK Rhino Group
• www.rhinogroup.org.uk
Headers: Members, Meetings, Latest Rhino News, Contact
The UK Rhino Group is essentially a lobbying and publicity organisation for the conservation of endangered rhinos worldwide. Its members are composed of conservation organisations such as Born Free and WWF. This is a useful site for catching up on all the latest rhino news.
The Woodland Trust
• www.woodland-trust.org.uk
Headers: Our magazine, Our woods, Campaigns, Get involved, Support us, Publications, Discovery
The Woodland Trust (President: Clive Anderson) is a conservation charity dedicated to the protection of the UK's native woodland heritage. Click on "Our Woods" to get information on over a thousand woods in England, Wales and Scotland. You can also buy woodland guides online.
World Land Trust
• www.worldlandtrust.org
Headers: News, About the WLT, Projects, Reviews, Education, Support Us
Based in Halesworth, Suffolk, The World Land Trust was founded in 1989 and is an international conservation charity. It operates by actually buying biologically important land that is under threat of destruction and protecting it with the help of the local population by providing jobs. At present the Trust has more than 300,000 acres of land in Central America, the Phillipines, South America and the UK. Patrons of the trust include Sir David Attenborough and David Gower. The site contains full details of all the projects the Trust is currently undertaking, including their new project, The Wild Lands Elephant Corridor in India. You can help to support the Trustby buying an acre of rainforest, becoming a member or simply donating funds.
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
• www.wwt.org.uk
Headers: Membership, Bird Adoption, Visit a WWT Centre, WWT Research, Threatened species, Learn with WWT, Shop
Sir Peter Scott founded The Wildfowl &Wetlands Trust in 1946 and it is now the largest international wetland conservation charity in the UK. The trust works to restore habitats and run captive breeding programmes to help threatened wetland birds as well as sponsoring research into conservation. The trust owns and manages 9 visitor centres throughout the whole of the UK. Location details are on the site as well as virtual tours of 2 of the centres: The London Wetland Centre and Slimbridge. If you would like to help, you can join the Trust. Membership entitles you to free entry to all 9 of the visitor centres.
The Wildlife Trusts
• www.wildlifetrusts.org
Headers: About Us, UK Wildlife, Helping Us, Memberhip, Activities, Reserves, Publications, Your Local Trust, Press News, Wildlife Watch
Originally established in 1912 as The Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves, The Wildlife Trusts is now the UK's leading conservation charity dedicated to British wildlife and the protection of the UK's natural heritage. They have 47 local Wildlife Trusts, each of which is an independent charity responsible for its own area. Together, the Trusts care for more than 2560 nature reserves which include coastline and urban locations. Click on "Activities" to find details of all the reserves, including location and access. You can become a member and receive the Natural World magazine 3 times a year, a newsletter from your local Trust, invitations to local events and an oportuinty to lend a hand. The Vice President of The Wildlife Trusts is Sir David Attenborough.
WWF
www.wwf.org.uk
Headers: About WWF, What Can I Do?, Wildlife, News
WWF (The World Wide Fund for Nature) is an international conservation organisation seeking to help endangered species worldwide. Its aims are to: conserve the world's biological diversity, ensure sustainable renewable energy resources and promote the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Some of their projects are here in the UK; for example, restoring river and wetland habitats across the UK. They are best known for the work they do protecting endangered species and they have fact sheets containing information about endangered species. You can join the WWF for £2 per month, or more if you wish. Alternatively, you might like to adopt an endangered animal, for just £2 per month. You can choose between Zhu Xiong, a giant panda, Kiruba the elephant, Kinyanjui the rhino, Makalha the tiger, Etin the young orang or the Ileach dolphins. By adopting with WWF you can help WWF to protect the future of these species plus tackle some of the biggest conservation challenges facing our world today.
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