4 Ways to Get Started with Conserving Nature

Are you curious about conserving nature, but not sure where to start? We can relate.

Conservation activities can span a range of domains from wildlife to plants or from forests to oceans, and everyone has their own interests. The good news is that this is really exciting as well, as there are numerous opportunities for citizen scientists, climate-curious folks, and really everyone to get involved in some capacity.

At ReWorld, we’re passionate about conservation projects, so here are 4 possible ways that you can get started too!

Source: John Salzarulo / Unsplash

1. Learn more about conservation

All activism begins with learning. Here, we’ll start by explaining more about what the conservation of biodiversity is and why it’s important. ScienceDirect defines conservation as the “protection, upliftment, and scientific management of biodiversity … and derive[s] sustainable benefits for the present and future generation[s].” It is also worth learning about the different conservation methods and ways to take climate action that are backed by science.

The range of domains are far-ranging. You may already have some idea of what you’re interested in — whether it be forests, birdlife, or maybe specific species. If you don’t, this is a great time to follow some projects and nonprofits, learn about the work they do, and the causes they support. If you’re just getting started, we recommend Mongabay, a credible, non-profit source of conservation and nature related news. If you prefer learning through videos, check out CuriosityStream, which has thousands of science videos and documentaries.

Our reforestation method is based on an idea of carbon removal which makes use of different climate models to determine carbon sequestration — in other words, how much carbon is removed from the atmosphere. Read more about reforestation and how ReWorld does our part here.

Proyecto Titi

2. Visit a nature reserve

Support your local national parks and reserves by visiting them. Nature reserves are often focused on environmental protection, enhancement and sustainability, and work to improve the habitats of the plant and animal life there. So don’t forget to get outside, immerse yourself in the work they do, meet people, and keep learning.

There are often tours that you can participate in to learn more about the projects to protect biodiversity and nature or activities that you can join to learn more. For instance in the US, the National Parks Service has a range of projects including environmental stewardship for youths, citizen scientists, and the opportunity to volunteer in the national parks.

Likewise in the UK, National Parks Authorities work with partners to connect habitats, help wildlife move through the landscape, and protect the national parks. From 2019 to 2020, the 15 national parks in the UK hosted over 330 projects to support nature and biodiversity. If you live in an urban area, look out for activities conducted by your local parks and green spaces.

3. Volunteer on projects

Contributing to protecting biodiversity is something that everyone can participate in, even in the smallest ways. For instance seek out local projects to work on and participate in. This will give you a sense of what efforts to preserve biodiversity look like in your backyard and allow you to see the landscapes and wildlife up close.

Opportunities may vary depending on whether you live in a rural or an urban area and can involve beach cleaning, trail maintenance, urban farming, or tree planting, depending on your interests. They are often great ways to get your hands dirty while meeting other passionate folks in your area.

If you have specialized skills, consider supporting your favorite projects in this way. For instance, at ReWorld we have volunteers contributing in areas such as social media, software development, product strategy, and user research, depending on their own skills and interests.

Source: Vitor Mothay / Unsplash

4. Donate

Finally, if you don’t have the time to volunteer or prefer to donate to causes, there are also many other ways you can make an impact. You’ll want to vet them, however, to be sure that the projects or organizations that you donate to are accountable, transparent, and honest about where your money goes, and what initiatives you are supporting.

At ReWorld, we are partnering with Proyecto Tití to develop the world’s first community-funded tropical forest in Colombia. Proyecto Tití focuses on protecting the habitats and lives of the cotton-top tamarins and maximizing the chance of their survival. Donors are able to select as many available acres of the forest in the Santa Helena preserve as they want to support which contribute to protecting and extending their habitats.