Giving back to nature with Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

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Nature gives us so much – a day at the beach, clean water and fresh air, to name a few. But it can’t be all one-way-traffic. The good news is there are already many hardworking and passionate people leading the way in wildlife conservation.
 
Enter Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), an organisation with the mission to effectively protect all Australian animal species and their habitats. Not only is the organisation a global leader in conservation, the nature-loving legends at AWC protect some of Australia’s most important landscapes and threatened wildlife in their sanctuaries and partnership sites covering more than 6.8 million hectares. 
 
Sophie Winter, Content and Communities Manager at AWC, says while everyone relies on nature, not everyone knows that nature also needs our help. 
 
‘The same principles that protect wildlife across millions of hectares can be applied by nature lovers everywhere. Your choices can be part of this bigger movement,’ Sophie says.

We’re giving you a head start on your conservation journey with these seven easy ways you can give back to nature. 

1. Learn about the threats to wildlife in your area and what you can do to help.

‘Australia is in the middle of an extinction crisis,’ says Sophie. ‘We have one of the worst mammal extinction rates in the world.’
 
Sophie says threats driving this are introduced predators like feral cats and foxes, altered fire regimes and invasive plants, and climate change which is intensifying droughts, floods, heatwaves and bushfires.
 
Take some time to find out what animals live in your local area and whether you have any species under threat of extinction close by. Many species live on the outskirts of the urban fringe and may venture into backyards or close to developed areas. Some local councils host wildlife spotlighting tours, guided walks or information nights.
 
Spread your newfound knowledge on local threatened species by educating your friends and family. That might mean cornering them at your next BBQ or taking them for a walk in your nearby national park or state park to discover some of the special animals and plants there.
 
If you want to dig deeper, AWC has some great resources on their website, and a section just for kids.

2. Plant local native species to provide food and shelter for birds, insects and small mammals.

Whether you have a big backyard or a small balcony, planting a wildlife-friendly garden in the ground or in pots is a wonderful way to help local animals of all sizes. 
 
Australia is home to more than 24,000 species of native plants. Flowers are imortant for pollinators, such as native bees, birds and insects, while grasses and shrubs provide ideal habitat for small birds, lizards or mammals to nest and hide in.
 
But before you get out the gardening tools, make sure to check with your local council or nursery to ensure you’re choosing plants native to your area. Some species may be considered weeds in parts of the country and will not be suitable for your garden.

3. Keep your cats indoors to protect vulnerable wildlife. 

The domestic animals we love can cause huge problems for local wildlife. Cats have had a particularly devastating effect on our native wildlife since they were introduced to Australia more than 200 years ago. 
 
Securing pet cats indoors or in outside enclosures will help keep them safe from injury and disease and protect native wildlife in your local neighbourhood. 

4. Volunteer for conservation groups in your area working at a local scale to protect and help wildlife and animal habitats.

Local nature care groups are planting trees, removing weeds and building wildlife habitat in parks and gardens, along rivers and at the beach all around Australia. There is likely a group already operating near you. 
 
This work is usually completely volunteer-run, and more help is always needed. As well as making a practical difference for local wildlife, these groups are a great way for you to meet some fellow nature lovers in your neighbourhood. AWC also offers exciting volunteer opportunities across Australia, you can register your interest on their website.

5. Advocate for more investment in threatened species protection and nature recovery.

Your voice matters. By telling elected representatives at all levels of government that you value nature and want to see it protected and healthy you can help influence better policy and funding decisions.

6. Amplify AWC’s storytelling on social media.

AWC actively shares great nature conservation stories on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. By following their accounts, commenting on and sharing their posts and stories, you can influence the algorithms for good and amplify their work.

7. Support AWC with a SpendME account.

ME has partnered with AWC to help deliver conservation outcomes that provide hope for Australia's wildlife, and environment. When you choose ME's green debit card, every time you tap your digital wallet, ME will donate 1c to AWC.

Pay it forward with ME. 

Ready to help our native furry friends? You can help the work that AWC does when you choose ME’s green debit card and make any purchases using your digital wallet. SpendME is the account that’s making money good.

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