World Wildlife Day

Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet

The theme for 2021 aims to highlight the central role of forests, forest species and ecosystems in supporting human life and livelihoods — especially for Indigenous communities with historic, sacred ties to forested areas.

As we all know, deforestation and forest degradation are negatively impacting the world’s precious wildlife and biodiversity. Unsustainable agriculture, illegal logging, industrial projects, poor forest management and fires are degrading forest areas globally. 

These factors are often combined, resulting in a "death by a thousand cuts" scenario.

For many of us living in cities and urban areas, it can be hard to understand the enormity of the issue. But, for the 200-350 million people around the world that rely on forests for food, shelter, energy, medicine and spiritual connection — protecting forested areas is the key to their survival. 

Wildlife in Australia

Australia has a wonderful array of different plants and species; many of which are found nowhere else in the world. About 84% of our plants, 83% of our mammals, and 45% of our birds are only found in Australia. We also have a thriving marine environment, with at least 45 different species of whales, dolphins and porpoises!

Healthy biodiversity is what underpins all of the Earth’s wildlife. 

Biodiversity has been described as the ‘web of life’, or ‘the variety of living things’, including plants, animals, and micro-organisms. The web of life encompasses absolutely everything, from the smallest microbes to the largest living mammals — even humans! 

Deforestation in Australia

Did you know that Eastern Australia is one of the world’s top deforestation hotspots? A WWF report identified 24 major “deforestation fronts” globally, and Australia is the only developed nation on that list.

According to WWF, 964 of the 1,250 Australian terrestrial animal species listed as threatened are experiencing habitat loss or habitat degradation, namely due to land clearing. Some of these precious species are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of deforestation: Carnaby’s cockatoo, the southern cassowary, Bennet’s tree kangaroo, the Cape York rock wallaby, the black-flanked rock-wallaby, as well as the iconic Koala. 

It’s clear that we need better laws and protections for our forested areas and wildlife. 

How can I get involved in World Wildlife Day?

Here are some great ways to get involved on March 3rd:

Get to know the forested areas and wildlife species around you! Find out about the threats they face, and what your local community is doing to address it. Familiarise yourself with Indigenous knowledge and experiences to see our forests through different eyes. 

Seek out and support local rewilding and tree-planting projects! Rewilding projects are so important for ecological restoration and healthy biodiversity. Aussie Ark, for example, are doing fantastic work in bringing Tasmanian Devils back to mainland Australia. If you want to help out the rewilding process, donate here to support the work of the #DevilComeback Partners — Aussie Ark, Global Wildlife Conservation and WildArk! 

You can even support initiatives like One Tree Planted; with just $1 you can aid in the recovery of forests affected by the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires and restore native habitat vital for wildlife. 

World Wildlife Day 2021

This year, the celebrations for World Wildlife Day will be held virtually — here is the live link on YouTube.

Tune in to hear some interesting discussions from the people who are doing amazing things for the world’s wildlife. The agenda for the virtual event can be found here! 

Make sure to spread the word on social media using #ForestPeoplePlanet; #WorldWildlifeDay and #WWD2021. Speak up about deforestation and emphasise the importance of protecting our forests and wildlife.

How will you get involved on World Wildlife Day?