Conservation

Spend time outside observing the natural world.

·Provide shelter, nesting habitat, fruiting trees, and water for animals in your garden.

Preserve biodiversity in your yard by adding native plants. Research shows that yards with native plants can attract more than twice as many animals and types of animals than traditionally landscaped yards.

·If possible, keep dead trees, fallen branches, logs, and leaf piles around your garden to provide hiding places for animals and to attract insects, an important food source for wildlife.

Reduce or eliminate pesticides and lawn chemicals as they reduce insect and plant diversity, can be fatal to some animals, and pollute waterways.

Plant a native garden at a park or schoolyard.

Participate in a beach or waterways cleanup.

Become a citizen scientist and help monitor species populations.

Buy sustainable foods, products, and services.

Become a Junior Ranger at a U.S. National Park.

Study the natural sciences and become an environmental leader.

Join the conservation efforts of different environmental groups such as The Everglades Foundation, Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, Friends of the Everglades, Miami Waterkeeper, and The Nature Conservancy.

Write letters to lawmakers asking them to conserve, restore, and connect natural habitats.