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This patch and all program supplies are available from our partner site MakingFriends®.com.
Suggested Prerequisite
Completing one of the volunteer level Patch Program®s above is a suggested prerequisite for earning your Endangered Animal Advocate Patch. Your volunteer experience will help provide you with the knowledge needed to advocate for the welfare of endangered species. You can also opt to complete the volunteer requirements during the time you earn this advocate patch.
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Requirement 1: Research It!
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) defines an endangered species as “any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” It defines a threatened species as “any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” There are several sub classifications also. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has set up criteria for classifying.
Discussion Points:
- Find out about animals that have already gone extinct:
Helpful Link: 17 Animals That Became Extinct in Our Lifetime. - Learn what species are now threatened or endangered. Helpful Link: Species Directory
- Are there threatened or endangered species in your area? Helpful Link: U.S. Threatened or Endangered Species by County
- Learn about poaching and find out what animals are threatened by it.
Helpful Links: Poaching May Drive These 7 Animals to Extinction, Buyer Beware - What causes a species to go extinct? Helpful Link: How does extinction happen?
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Requirement 2: Do It!
Choose a threatened or endangered animal issue to advocate for. Some ideas:
- Educate your community about local threatened animals and let them know what they can do about it.
- Educate travelers about souvenirs which impact threatened animals.
- Raise money to symbolically adopt an endangered or threatened animal at your local zoo. (Your organization may not allow you to raise funds, check first.)
- Join the WWF in a current action plan.
Who do you want to reach? Some ideas:
- Your Family
- Neighbors
- Politicians — Helpful link: How to Contact Your Elected Officials
- Classmates
- Your Fellow Worshipers
- Other Groups or Organizations
How will you reach them? Helpful link: How to Advocate for Your Cause
Some Ideas:
- Talk to them. Consider wearing a button as a conversation starter.
- Hand out flyers. Consider setting up a booth to collect donations if allowed.
- Hang tags on doors and mail boxes.
- Make posters.
- Reach out with social media such as Facebook.
- Send a press release to your local newspaper or school newspaper. Helpful link: How to write a press release.
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Requirement 3: Review It!
Always remember to thank those who helped with your advocacy program.
Ways to say Thank You:
- Personally thank individuals and businesses who helped. A hand written letter is always nice. Helpful Link: How to write a thank you letter.
- Thank the community as a whole with posters.
- Create a follow up press release and include the names of individuals and businesses who participated.
- Thank the community as a whole on social media.
- Give certificates of appreciation.
Discuss Your Advocacy Project
- Do you think your advocacy project advanced the preservation of animal habitats?
- Will you continue?
- What else can you do to promote animal habitats in your community?
Congratulations you have earned the Endangered Animal Advocate patch! The patch can be purchased from our partner site MakingFriends®.com.
You can become an Animal Welfare Advocate by earning all 5 animal advocate level patches.
Does this give you any ideas for becoming a Delegate for Threatened Species?
See all our current Advocate level Patch Program®s:
Related Fun Patch Ideas:
Note: Many of the links provided to assist with completing our Patch Program®s are external and do not imply an endorsement or recommendation. At the time of publication, external content was vetted to the best of our ability. Your views and ideas may vary and we do not intend for you to substitute our opinions for yours. Research the topic thoroughly before beginning a project. As always, make sure children access the internet only under safe-surfing conditions.
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