Preserve Land-based Ecosystems

This challenge is about looking after the land we live on, as well as the plants and animals who call those places home. Not just because we should preserve the natural beauty and diversity of our planet, but because as humans we rely on the natural world for our very survival.

   

Some of the key issues

Biodiversity and ecosystems
Help ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and dry-lands.

Desertification, land degradation and drought
Help combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.

Forests
Work for the sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

Mountain Ecosystems
Help ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity.

Conservation of species and habitats
Help prevent the extinction of threatened species, in part by helping to reduce the degradation of natural habitats.

End Poaching and Trafficking
Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna.

Work Areas and Projects

The work and project areas below are examples of the kinds of things people are working on right now. Do any of these interest you?

  • Work as a ranger to track and protect rhinos from poachers
  • Work as a field vet to give emergency medical treatment to sick or injured animals
  • Research methods of preventing poaching and to create better methods of protection
  • Rescue injured seabirds and give them treatment so they can be fully rehabilitated.
  • Research the habits of seabirds to help protect them from dangers such as pollution .
  • Work in a team to relocate and protect endangered seabirds
  • Work to reintroduce animal populations into protected environments.
  • Research the biodiversity of plants and animals and help protect endangered species from going extinct.
  • Work to ensure that high-priority ecological assets (e.g. Fynbos) are secured, managed and restored.
  • Manage a wildlife reserve and work to educate local communities about the protection of nature
  • Work as part of a legal team to protect ecosystems from pollution and other kinds of damage
  • Educate young learners on the importance of ecosystems with regards to biodiversity
  • Work as part of a research team to learn about the effects of rising sea levels
  • Research how climate change is affecting rivers and wetlands and implement plans to reverse the negative changes
  • Work as a scientist to study and monitor forest systems.
  • Work as a conservation scientist to provide technical help to people who are concerned with conserving soil, water, and related natural resources.
  • Work as a forester to ensure sustainable forestry practices
  • Work as an environmental scientist to identify problems and find solutions that minimize hazards to the health of the environment.
  • Work as a soil and plant scientist to conduct research into soil, plants, and other forest products to improve timber yields and healthier forests.
  • Work as a wildlife biologist to develop wildlife management and conservation plans to help protect species from threats and maintain animal populations at sustainable levels.

 

Who’s Involved?

More info on its way! Hang in there 🙂

Links

http://edition.cnn.com/specials/world/goinggreen

https://21stcenturychallenges.org/deforestation/

http://www.wwf.org.za/what_we_do/rhino_programme/

http://www.wwf.org.za/what_we_do/land/

https://www.bls.gov/green/forestry/sustainable_forestry.htm