For my Cruisers!

Hi friends!
Because so many of you have been so receptive to my message about wildlife, and want to know how you can help - I put this page together to give you resources I have found helpful.
If you're reading this, you went further than most so I don't know how to thank you for hearing me and for caring. You have such a special place in my heart, and I mean that.
​Keep growing in your love for our planet, and I hope we see each other in the future. 

Join my Wildlife Cruiser Group. 
Can I email you if I ever need help with a cause?
I'd love for you to share your email with me, if I ever get my act together enough to send out a message once in a while on important things happening in my world of wildlife - you'll be the first to know. I've never done this before, but thought I could keep you posted on important news from my world. It definitely wouldn't be too often, I barely have time to check my emails but thought it would be a great way to create a little wildlife cruising army.
(I won't share your email ever, this goes straight to my personal email account.)

Donate:

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Please do your own research and make sure they are aligned with your values, but these are organizations I donate to and have worked with so I feel comfortable telling you about their work. If you want help vetting an organization you've heard of, email and I'll help out. But please consider donating to conservation, if donating it something you do.
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Plant Extinction Prevention Program:
Each year, PEPP helps protect about half of the 423 Threatened and Endangered plant species in Hawaiʻi. By focusing on efficacy, cost efficiency, and innovation, they have been successful! They are a small team and they 'accomplish much with very little'. For just $5,000, they can protect EACH of Hawaii's  rarest plant species each year!
Donate here ​
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Amazon Frontlines:
Their mission is to support the struggles of indigenous peoples to defend their rights to land, life and cultural survival in the Amazon Rainforest.
​They have great financial tracking.

Donate to Amazon Frontlines
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EDGE of Existence Program:  (Supporter of the weird and ugly.)
​They have been "igniting conservation action for the most unique, extraordinary, and overlooked species for over 16 years across 47 countries."
Their vision is a "thriving Tree of Life, upheld by a worldwide network of diverse conservation leaders spearheading sustainable conservation that delivers equity and justice."

​Donate to EDGE
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MONITOR Research Society: ​
​LOOKING OUT FOR THE UNDERDOGS IN THE TRADE!
They focus on "lesser-known species and issues in wildlife trade, filling a niche that is often overlooked. While the status of iconic species are documented and receive a certain degree of attention, lesser-known, or in some cases, virtually unknown species that are traded are often at heightened risk."

​Donate to MONITOR
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Rainforest Trust:
They have "demonstrated that safeguarding critical habitat is the most effective way to protect species. We work with local partners to develop projects aimed at securing vital habitat".
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​Rainforest Trust is able to allocate 100% of donations to conservation action (staff costs are covered elsewhere). This means you can give knowing your whole gift will protect rainforests.

​Donate to Rainforest Trust
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Amazon Watch:
​founded "to protect the rainforest and advance the rights of Indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin". They partner with Indigenous and environmental organizations in campaigns for human rights, corporate accountability, and the preservation of the Amazon's ecological systems.

Donate to Amazon Watch

Purchase stamps for conservation:

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For US based friends:

These are the programs I've helped evaluate and feel comfortable telling you to support. 
And you get stamps with the donation! 

Buy them for Christmas cards!

I bring my postcards home and mail them from home, so I can use the tiger stamps.
​(They're from USPS)

Write your Representatives about Wildlife!

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This could have a huge impact!

​Find and contact your elected officials.

For my US-based friends: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/ 
(All nationalities can do this, I just don't have information on your elected officials.)

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Calling has been shown to make the most impact.
Copy/Paste into an email (add your own message too of course!)
Subject: A Call to Action on the Biodiversity Crisis
Dear [Representative's Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to you today as a concerned citizen and a recent traveler who has just returned from a cruise that took me to various parts of the world. During my trip, I had the privilege of witnessing the incredible wildlife that our planet has to offer. I was in awe of the beauty and diversity of life on Earth.
But what made my experience truly eye-opening was the insight I gained from a naturalist on board who works in conservation. They shared with me the alarming reality of the biodiversity crisis that we are facing, and the devastating impact that human activities are having on our planet's ecosystems. I learned about the staggering rates of species extinction, habitat destruction, and ecosystem degradation that are threatening the very fabric of our planet's ecosystem. It is heartbreaking to think that many of the species I saw on my trip may not be around for future generations to enjoy. This experience made me realize that there are dedicated individuals working tirelessly to protect our planet, but they need our support and action.

As I returned home, I couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency and responsibility to act. I was dismayed to learn that the species recovery plans in the United States are not adequately funded and that the biodiversity crisis is not being prioritized effectively. This is unacceptable, and I am writing to ask you to take immediate action to address this crisis.
As my representative, I urge you to:
1. Increase funding for species recovery plans and conservation efforts in the United States and abroad.
2. Support legislation that prioritizes biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration.
3. Hold hearings and investigations to raise awareness about the biodiversity crisis and its impacts on our country and the world.

I would like to request a response from you regarding the actions you are taking or plan to take to address the biodiversity crisis. I believe that it is our moral obligation to protect the natural world and ensure a sustainable future for all.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Talking points if you can call their office
Guidance Script: Hi, I'm [Name] and I'm calling from [City]. I recently returned from traveling and had a chance to speak with a naturalist on board our ship who works in conservation. I was deeply disturbed to learn about the alarming rates of species extinction and habitat destruction, and how little we are doing to protect it. I'm calling to urge my representative to take action on the biodiversity crisis if I can get you to write my concerns down. 
Guidance Script Part II: I'm asking my representative to cosponsor and support legislation that prioritizes biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration. Specifically, I'd like to see increased funding for species recovery plans and conservation efforts in the US and abroad. We really need to take bold action to address this crisis.
Can I get a written response or update on what actions are being taken?

Brief talking points:
1. Urge congressperson to take action on the biodiversity crisis.
2. Ask them to cosponsor and support legislation prioritizing biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration.
3. Request increased funding for species recovery plans and conservation efforts.
4. Ask for a written response or update on actions being taken.
5. Emphasize the importance of bold action to address the crisis.

​Call back: Repeat, and say I've been calling and still looking for a response

Hang out some more with me:

Share a message or a picture with me :)

If we didn't get a chance to finish talking, feel free to come back anytime and leave me a comment. (Or a photo of the trash you've picked up!)

    Get in touch with me privately 

    Max file size: 20MB
I  am not affiliated to most of these resources. I am simply sharing because I have found them to be great resources and/or organizations to support and learn from. If you have a comment, question, or issue with any of these resources please let me know! 


From the bottom of my heart  - thank you for being here
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand;
and we will understand only what we are taught." ​-Baba Dioum
Shannon Noelle Rivera
© COPYRIGHT 2023 |  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED