How will you celebrate World Wildlife Day?
World Wildlife Day is observed globally on the 3rd of March to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants and the contribution that they make to our lives and the health of the planet.
World Wildlife Day should be a chance to celebrate the extraordinary diversity of wildlife and marine life that we have today on our amazing planet, but in fact, our wildlife is disappearing. Fast.
The Living Planet Report shows wildlife population sizes have plummeted by an average of 68% since 1970. Populations of birds, mammals, fish, plants, and insects worldwide are teetering on the brink. The natural world is in freefall.
With increasing numbers of endangered and extinct species, it’s crucial to educate people on how we can help conserve the planet to continue to provide for future generations!
Billions of people across the world, benefit daily from the use of wild species and plants for food, energy, medicine, materials, recreation, and many other vital contributions to human well-being, without them we wouldn’t exist. This is why it is important to raise awareness of the crucial role that wildlife and plants play in maintaining our planet's health.
What is the Theme of World Wildlife Day?
World Wildlife Day has a different theme every year. This year’s theme is ‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation’ which aims to encourage groups to work together to create and sustain healthy ecosystems, wildlife populations and biodiversity.
It is also a celebration of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) as it turns 50. The organisation helps to ensure the sustainability and preservation of species by working with local and international authorities including the United Nations (UN), private sectors and non-governmental organisations and more.
How can you celebrate World Wildlife Day?
The University of Leeds has developed ‘Ecology and Wildlife Conservation’, a free access online course hosted on FutureLearn. Voted one of the best online courses of all time by online learners on ClassCentral, the course investigates how we can best protect the natural world and explores the challenges human activity poses to our environment. These lessons in conservation are led by Dr Chris Hassall, Associate Professor of Animal Biology at the University of Leeds.
On the course you will explore the reasons behind the bee decline across the world, the impact wind farms have on populations of seabirds, and examine fish species in tropical seas to see first-hand how climate change damages coral reefs.
With the course taking only two weeks to complete, the workload is light but fully immersive. You will study an array of endangered species, learn about ecosystems, and explore how biologists use innovative technologies to help conserve wildlife through case studies, independent research, video, and student comment threads.
It is now in our hands to help the future of our world survive! Knowledge leads the way to action.
To raise awareness of this event, why not share this story on your social media using #WWD2023
- Explore more online courses covering topics of climate change, sustainability and environmental management for learners of all ages.
- Find out more about the University of Leeds’ online courses and online degrees.
- Explore our online courses on FutureLearn.
