On September 4th each year, people around the world come together to celebrate National Wildlife Day. This is a day that honors the beauty, diversity, and suppleness of the animal kingdom and the delicate balance that it creates with nature.
While initially the day was only celebrated and observed on September 4th, it now is also observed on February 22nd, in honor of the memory and birthday of wildlife warrior, Steve Irwin. The day encourages the resplendence of wildlife, the effectiveness of the language of plants and flowers, and the essential need for conservation and sustainability of these elements of the natural world and the fauna that inhabits it.
National Wildlife Day, Since 2005
Although World Animal Day is already celebrated for far longer (since October 4th, 1925 to be precise), the animal behaviorist, author, animal advocate, conservationist, and philanthropist Colleen Paige established National Wildlife Day in 2005. Paige had a deep passion for animals and their welfare and saw an opportunity to create a day that would inspire people to appreciate and protect these faunae. And since then, the day's primary objective remains to raise awareness about the need for wildlife conservation.
This special day serves to bring awareness to endangered animals nationally as well as globally. These animals need to be preserved and rescued from their demise each year. The day also acknowledges zoos and outstanding animal sanctuaries globally for everything they do to help preserve this planet's animals and educate the public about conservation. This is especially so for children.
Since its inception, National Wildlife Day has grown into a global movement that brings together individuals, organizations, and governments to advocate for the preservation of wildlife and the environment. With each passing year, the celebration has evolved and become even more providential, and now encompasses broader themes including sustainability, biodiversity, and the vital role of nature in our lives.
National Wildlife Day is celebrated on two dates, to double the effort required to bring awareness of the plight of wild animals around the globe. It encourages wildlife lovers to stand up and fight for animals that need a voice, visit their local zoos, and donate what they can to make a difference in the lives of these animals.
Global Observance of National Wildlife Day
Across the world, National Wildlife Day is now enthusiastically and creatively observed from schools and community centers to wildlife reserves and botanical gardens. Numerous events and activities take place to mark this occasion.
Some ways in which this day is observed across the world include:
Engaging in Wildlife Tours and Educational Programs
In this case, schools and educational institutions use the occasion to raise awareness among students about wildlife conservation, ecological balance, and the importance of preserving natural habitats.
There usually are lectures, workshops, and field trips to zoos and wildlife sanctuaries to inspire the next generation of conservationists to take care of the natural environment and the fauna that lives therein, as, without one, the other will not exist.
Wildlife Photography and Art Exhibitions
This is where nature enthusiasts and photographers showcase their stunningly captured wildlife snapshots and visual artwork. Such exhibitions not only showcase the splendor of wildlife but are also a visual statement of collective responsibility to protect these creatures.
Taking Part in Nature Walks and Eco-Tours
On National Wildlife Day, many people take the opportunity to engage themselves in nature by organizing nature walks, eco-tours, and birdwatching excursions. In this case, connecting with the natural world fosters a deeper appreciation for the flora and fauna that surround us.
Engaging in Conservation Projects
National Wildlife Day is also a catalyst for launching conservation projects and initiatives.
Such projects may include habitat restoration, species protection, and community-driven efforts to support sustainable living and the protection of wildlife and nature.
Fundraising Events for Wildlife Welfare Causes
Various organizations use this day to raise funds for wildlife conservation. Donations and contributions are channeled into programs that support the protection and well-being of endangered species.
Growing Plants and Gardening to Conserve Wildlife Habitats
On this day, many individuals participate in planting native flowers and trees to create welcoming habitats for wildlife. This is also one way to observe National Wildlife Day by celebrating the language of flowers and the beauty that they bring to nature.
Nature's Language of Conservation and the Effect of Flowers Therein
As is common knowledge, flowers have a long history of delivering beauty through their colors, shapes, and scents. Throughout history, they have been given symbolic meanings, reflecting emotions, virtues, and sentiments.
In the language of flowers, the blooming petals narrate different stories and on the occasion of National Wildlife Day, these languages can be interpreted as a plea from nature, which is a call for all to cherish and protect the ecosystems.
Therefore, the essence of National Wildlife Day lies in deploying these elements and leveraging them in the interconnection of nature and humanity.
Photo by @achillies_safaris on Instagram
And this is the beauty of wildlife and the language through which plants and flowers convey nature’s messages of living in harmony, as well as that of the fragility of life.
Recognizing and acknowledging this delicate balance of the world’s natural ecosystems accordingly creates a better understanding of the urgency of nature conservation and sustainability.
Conservation and Sustainability of Nature
The language of conservation speaks of responsibility, stewardship, and the impact of humans’ actions on the natural world. Engaging in sustainable practices demonstrates a commitment to preserving biodiversity, safeguarding habitats, and combating climate change.
This is just as a gardener would nurture a delicate blossom to full bloom, which is the same way humans need to collectively care for the planet and its inhabitants to full sustainability measures, be it the plant life or the fauna.
There Is Need for a Shared Responsibility for Conserving the Future
National Wildlife Day is not just a one-day celebration; it is an observance that ought to be a continuous prompt for the shared responsibility that all humans have for conserving nature.
The well-being of wildlife and the environment is inextricably linked to human beings’ own well-being. When people protect nature and embrace sustainable practices, they create a better world for themselves and future generations.
The day is therefore a statement of humans’ fascination with the natural world, the language of flowers, and all the possibilities of conservation and sustainability, as well as the fact that humans should not be mere spectators but active participants in the conservation of plants and wildlife.
So, What Can You Do?
National Wildlife Day, therefore, helps bring out the connection that people have with nature and recognizes that this natural world is not just a source of beauty and inspiration but also a call for collectively nurturing and safeguarding the planet for future generations that are to come.
On the celebration of this day, it is worthy that people note the need for uniting in the pursuit and commitment to protecting wildlife, preserving habitats, and focusing on sustainable practices.
Through education, empathy, and collective action, and putting all the required measures into practice, there can be a brighter future for all living beings, including the flora and fauna that inhabit the world.
Ps. Don't mix up National Wildlife Day with World Animal Day, which is every year on the 4th of October.
Feature image by Wynand van Poortvliet on Unsplash, header image by Egor Kamelev on Pexels.
