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Conservation is the protection of all things found in nature. This includes all animals, plants and birds, and also their habitats and ecosystems.
People who care about animal conservation want to protect animals and their habitat so that they will be around for future generations.
Protecting animals and plants is important for humans because they help us meet our basic needs for food, shelter, fuel and clothing. Also, if we lose one animal or plant species from our planet, this effects the balance of nature, and as humans we depend on healthy ecosystems to survive.
We can also learn a lot from animals. Many medicines have been derived from the chemicals produced by animals and used to treat human diseases. But once an animal is extinct, it becomes impossible to study and learn from them.
Over 900 species of animals and plants are now endangered. Some of the biggest threats to animals and their habitat can be remembered by the acronym H.I.P.P.O.
H: Habitat Loss
I: Invasive Species (pests)
P: Pollution (in the air, water and ground)
P: Population growth (animals are displaced as cities grow)
O: Over-hunting
There are some easy ways you can help with the conservation of animals and their habitats.
We have a huge collection of fun activities and in our animals and birds sections here at Activity Village:
This interesting worksheet prompts the kids to do some research about a conservation organisation, then to write down everything they find. Can they find out about the animals they work with, the work they do and how they are funded?
Sadly, many animals are now endangered on our planet. Do some research on an endangered species, then fill in the worksheet and draw a picture too.
There are 12 animals to find in this endangered animal word search grid. Can the kids find them all? Maybe use a starting point for a discussion on conservation, too...
Get the kids thinking about conservation and practising writing skills too with our Habitat Conservation Letter Prompt.
This fun 'I Can Help Wildlife' worksheet is ideal for younger kids with a cute hedgehog illustration and asks them to think of 4 ways they can help protect wildlife.
In Blue Planet II (2017) David Attenborough highlighted how plastic is slowly killing our sea creatures, fish and birds. Can the kids design a poster encouraging people to reduce how much plastic they use?
Use this newspaper report to write about a wildlife conservation issue. Do some research first about a particular issue, the write about it and draw a picture too - a great conservation-themed activity for older kids!
