Raise your voice for endangered creatures.
Encourage your child to speak up for endangered animals with this unique project. Equal parts art project and advocacy letter, this project is an excellent introduction to active citizenship.
Invite your child to draw a picture or write a letter to advocate for their favorite animal.
Possible recipients
Elected officials, whether local, state, or federal.
What you’ll need
Drawing paper
Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
Notepaper
Envelop and stamp (if mailing)
Instructions
Get inspired with this fun video!
First, choose an animal friend in need of help.
Take half an hour or so to learn about endangered animals.
Discover endangered animals in your state by visiting the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.Or take a global view and choose an animal from the World Wildlife Federation's complete global species list.
Help your child choose an animal to champion. As your child gets to know their chosen animal, be sure to answer these questions:
Why is this animal endangered?
What is this animal's greatest threat?
Who is working to protect this species? How?
What can our elected officials do to protect this creature and its ecosystem?
Second, illustrate the problem.
Gather drawing materials and create artwork featuring your chosen animal and its greatest threat.
Be sure your child signs their name and age.
Third, write a letter to your elected official.
Look up your congressional leaders here.
Write a letter asking your chosen official. Ask them to support policies that protect the animal and its ecosystem.
Mail (scan and email) your creation to your elected leaders.
Post the name, email address, phone numbers, and photo of your elected leaders in a prominent place - perhaps the refrigerator - in case your family has future issues to bring up.
If you get a response, post that as well!
Reflection questions
What does it mean when a species is endangered, vulnerable, or critically endangered? Read about it on the World Wildlife Fund’s website.
What are some things we can start doing right now to make a difference for endangered animals? Check out Conserve Energy Future's article "20 Extraordinary Things You Can Do to Save Endangered Species" for ideas.
Why should people try to prevent animal extinction? Why does it matter if an animal becomes extinct?
Take the World Wildlife Federation's quiz and find your inner animal. Why do you think animals inspire us and spark our imagination so easily?
What are other ways we can show animals we love them?
Resources
A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Robinowitz
Meet Alan, a boy who loves animals. In fact, he struggles with a stutter unless he's speaking to animals. Alan has to overcome his stutter and find his voice when he encounters a zoo whose animals are in a sad state. Can one young voice make a difference?Gamba - An Optimistic Mountain Gorilla Tale by DJ Burk
Gamba is busy learning everything a gorilla needs to know to thrive with her family in the wild until tragedy strikes. Although people were responsible for Gamba's hardship, the kindness of humans also helps him in the end. This book will start a thoughtful conversation about how humans can make things better for animals.
Take it further
Try more wildlife arts and crafts with the World Wildlife Federation.
Become an advocate for other issues you care about with our project to Teach the Power of Speaking Up.
Disclaimer: Doing Good Together™ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
The recommendations we offer are based solely on our mission to empower parents to raise children who care and contribute.