Supporting Environmental Change Through Trusted Nonprofits
By Heather Cochrane, Environmentalist in Residence
You may care about the environment and do a lot to protect and care for it. While that is both important and necessary, as an individual or even a community, that will not be enough to solve the many environmental issues we are dealing with. Ideally, everyone should be doing their part, including the government and industry. One does not have to look hard to realize that neither government nor industry always acts with the best of intentions regarding the environment.
There are many nonprofit organizations that, in their own ways, work to protect the environment. As with all nonprofits, they depend on outside support to operate. The following environmental nonprofits have four-star ratings from Charity Navigator which rates charities based on their use of funding, their transparency, and other standards to be sure that if someone gives money, it is being used for the stated purpose of the charity.
The Nature Conservancy operates globally to use the best science to influence policy, work with corporations, and train youth to care for the environment.Heifer International works globally to support and train small-scale farmers to improve their farms to increase food security and improve the environment.National Resources Defense Council works in the U.S. and select other countries. They use a combination of advocacy and litigation to work with communities to preserve and protect both the community and the environment.Sierra Club focuses on education and promotion of environmental care in the U.S.Earthjustice operates in the U.S. using the law to protect and preserve the environment.Wolf Conservation Center offers education about wolves and advocates for the protection of wolves inNorth America. The WCC is part of the managed breeding and reintroduction programs for Red Wolves and Mexican Gray Wolves.Ocean Conservancy works globally to promote advocacy and facilitate change to protect the ocean as it is used for food, jobs, and recreation.350.org works globally with individuals and communities to promote clean energy.Defenders of Wildlife works in North America to protect wildlife and their habitats.National Audubon Society provides education, research, and advocacy in the Americas to protect habitats for birds and other wildlife.If any of these organizations interest you, consider supporting them by volunteering or offering financial support. Many of the sites also offer information on how to effectively advocate for the environment. There is power in numbers, and working with an established organization championing environmental causes can go a long way to making needed changes.
