Quick Facts• Official Species Group: Infraorder Gekkota• Estimated Number of Species: Over 1,600 species worldwide• Conservation Status: Varies by species (many Least Concern; some Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered)• Range: Every continent except Antarctica• Reasons for Population Decline: Habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, illegal
Quick Facts• Official Species Group: Genus Marmota• Estimated Number of Species: 15 species• Conservation Status: Varies by species (most Least Concern; some Endangered)• Range: North America, Europe, and Asia• Reasons for Population Decline: Habitat fragmentation, climate change, human disturbance Unique FeaturesMarmots are large ground-dwelling rodents
Quick Facts• Official Species Group: Genus Acropora• Estimated Species: Over 150 species worldwide• Conservation Status: Many species listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered• Range: Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, especially the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific• Reasons for Population Decline: Ocean warming, coral bleaching, ocean acidification,
Quick Facts• Official Species Name: Procyon pygmaeus• Estimated Population: Approximately 200–300 individuals• Conservation Status: Critically Endangered• Range: Cozumel Island, Mexico• Reasons for Population Decline: Habitat loss from development, hurricanes, invasive species, disease Unique FeaturesThe pygmy raccoon is significantly smaller than its mainland relative, the common
Quick Facts• Official Species Name: Orcinus orca• Estimated Population: Approximately 50,000 worldwide (varies significantly by population)• Conservation Status: Data Deficient globally (some populations Endangered or Critically Endangered)• Range: Found in every ocean, from Arctic and Antarctic waters to tropical seas• Reasons for Population Decline: Pollution
Quick Facts• Official Species Name: Leopardus wiedii• Estimated Population: Unknown, but declining in many areas• Conservation Status: Near Threatened• Range: Mexico, Central America, and northern & central South America• Reasons for Population Decline: Deforestation, habitat fragmentation, illegal pet trade, road mortality Unique FeaturesThe margay is
Quick Facts Official Species Name: Cyclura lewisi Estimated Population: Approximately 1,000 individuals in the wild Conservation Status: Endangered Range: Grand Cayman Island (Cayman Islands) Reasons for Population Decline: Habitat destruction, invasive predators, vehicle strikes, historical overhunting The blue iguana is one of the largest native
Quick Facts Official Species: Group: Family Crocodylidae Estimated Number of Species: 14 recognized species Conservation Status: Varies by species (some Least Concern, others Critically Endangered) Range: Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia Reasons for Population Decline: Habitat loss, illegal hunting, pollution, human-wildlife conflict Unique Features
Quick Facts Official Species Name: Gavialis gangeticus Estimated Population: Fewer than 1,000 mature individuals Conservation Status: Critically Endangered Range: Northern Indian subcontinent (India and Nepal) Reasons for Population Decline: Habitat loss, river pollution, fishing net entanglement, dam construction, egg collection Unique Features The gharial is
A community garden is a wonderful way to bring people together while growing fresh, healthy food. Kids can ask their school, local library, or community center if there’s space to start a garden, then invite neighbors and classmates to help plant, water, and harvest vegetables or flowers. Some gardens even donate their extra produce to food banks or share it with neighbors who need it. It’s a hands-on way to learn about nature, teamwork, and taking care of your community’s shared spaces.
Wildlife centers take care of injured or orphaned animals, and they always need extra support to keep helping. Kids can host a bake sale, lemonade stand, or online fundraiser, or organize a “walk-a-thon” with friends and family to raise money for a wildlife rescue near them. You could also collect donated supplies the center needs, like towels, blankets, or pet food. Even a small donation can help feed, shelter, or heal an animal in need.
Recycling projects let kids turn everyday trash into something useful — or at least keep it out of landfills! You could start a recycling bin program at your school, organize a can and bottle drive to raise money for charity, or get creative and turn old materials into art, planters, or bird feeders. You might even research your town’s recycling rules and make a poster or flyer to help neighbors recycle correctly. Small habits, like rinsing containers or separating paper from plastic, add up to a big impact when a whole community joins in.
Setting up a booth at your local farmers market is a great way to get your whole neighborhood excited about helping the planet. You could raise money for a cause you care about — like a wildlife shelter, a tree-planting group, or a beach cleanup fund — by selling homemade crafts, lemonade, or baked goods. You could also use your booth to teach people about recycling, showing them fun facts or simple tips for sorting their trash the right way. It’s a great way to practice public speaking, teamwork, and making a real difference in your community.
Every year on the third Saturday of September, people around the world celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day, and you can sign up with local groups in your community to join thousands of other volunteers picking up trash along the shore. But you don’t have to wait for that one day — cleanups can happen any time! Grab some gloves, trash bags, and a few friends, and organize your own cleanup day at a nearby river, stream, lake, or beach. It’s a fun way to hang out with friends while protecting fish, turtles, and birds from plastic and litter. Nationalcleanupday.
Planting trees is one of the easiest ways kids can help fight climate change and give animals a home. You can join organizations like SAFE Worldwide, One Tree Planted, or the Arbor Day Foundation, which often have kid-friendly volunteer days and even let you sponsor a tree from home. Or, team up with your family, neighbors, or scout troop to start your own mini tree-planting project in a local park, schoolyard, or empty lot (just ask permission first!). Every tree you plant helps clean the air, cool the planet, and grow into a home for birds and squirrels for years to come.
