International Affairs

There are many ways you can help to conserve important animals across the globe. Here are a few examples of things you can do to help support international conservation efforts:

Image Details

• Use Save Vanishing Species Stamps when mailing out letters or other mail! A portion of the cost of every one of these USPS semipostal stamps goes to conserve elephants, rhinoceros, great apes, tigers, and marine turtles, freshwater turtles, and tortoises. Let your friends know about the stamp and help us #StampOutExtinction!
• Volunteer! Many conservation organizations depend on volunteers in the U.S. and abroad. Do a web search to find an organization near you.
• Make informed choices when purchasing a pet!Wild animals do not make good pets and it is illegal to buy endangered species. Do your research before making your decision and do not buy anything that's illegally sourced or traded.
• Learn more about gibbons, pangolins, tortoises and freshwater turtles, as well as orchids and cacti - and tell your friends! Lesser-known species that are imperiled do not receive as much attention and support as well-known species.
• Read your labels! Palm oil plantations are contributing to habitat loss around the world – valuable forests are cleared to make way for palm oil plantations. If palm oil is in your product, read the label to check if it was sustainably grown.

When traveling abroad be sure to consider the following tips:

• Be a conscious shopper. When you travel outside of the United States it is important to think about what you are buying. When purchasing souvenirs or gifts for family and friends, think about where that item might have come from. Does it contain animal or plant products? If so, is it a species that is endangered or threatened? Was the wildlife harvested sustainably? Was it produced legally? One of the main ways to limit the illegal wildlife trade is to stop the demand for wildlife products. If you don’t know, don’t buy!
• Be an eco-tourist and travel green. Eco-tourists are able to experience species in their natural habitat while supporting local livelihoods and conservation efforts. These sustainable travel practices allow visitors to experience nature while limiting human impacts on wildlife.
• Buy local products and support the local economy. Tourism is a large source of income for many local communities abroad. Support these local communities’ livelihoods by purchasing unique, handcrafted goods that do not contain animal products.