The National Wildlife Federation has been designating a week just for wildlife since 1938. This year, National Wildlife Week is being celebrated from April 5 to April 9. Get in the spirit of the week by learning about animals native to North America, their habitats and how to help them thrive.

Wildlife conservation is the preservation and protection of animals, plants and their habitats. Conserving wildlife ensures that future generations will enjoy our natural world and its species. We don’t want the animals we love to become a distant memory!

Here are some ways you can protect wildlife:

• You can plant trees or other plants. Trees recycle oxygen, returning it to the environment for humans and many animals to breathe safely. If you’re unable to get involved with an organization or plant your own tree, a small garden can help, as long as you plant native species.
• Keeping it clean is important too. Some of the solutions we use for our lawns and gardens contain chemicals that are harmful to wildlife, like bees and butterflies, which are helpful to the earth and humans. Opting for natural pesticides and fertilizers can also stop these harmful chemicals from finding their way into streams and rivers, which poisons aquatic life.
• Picking up trash protects the environment and keeps the earth beautiful, but it can also save wildlife. Plastic bags, plastic pack rings and twine can easily trap birds and other small animals, hurting or killing them. Make sure you dispose of your trash correctly, cutting up items if necessary (such as plastic pack rings). You can also put on gloves, grab a bag and pick up trash you see locally. And, of course, you can always reduce, reuse and recycle!

The National Wildlife Federation’s website has a number of resources for learning about wildlife conservation and actions you can take to help. If you want to do further research, whether you’re looking for books about a specific animal or you want to learn about local plants that are safe for wildlife, we also have items in our catalog to explore.