SOME GREAT ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
EARTH ISLAND INSTITUTE
http://www.earthisland.org/
Earth Island is a consortium of more than thirty diverse and innovative grassroots campaigns. Its International Marine Mammal Project organized the largest and most successful consumer boycott of canned tuna caught at the expense of dolphins.
ECOJUSTICE CANADA (formerly Sierra Legal Defence Fund)
http://www.ecojustice.ca/
Ecojustice Canada seeks to enforce and strengthen environmental laws in Canada through litigation, development of new legislation, scientific analysis and public education. It provides pro bono legal services to environmentalists, First Nations, labour groups and citizens’ organizations.
FALKLANDS CONSERVATION
http://www.falklandsconservation.com/
Falklands Conservation monitors and protects the exceptional wildlife of the Falkland Islands. It is involved in developing techniques to reduce bycatch of albatrosses and other seabirds in the local longline fishery.
RAINCOAST CONSERVATION SOCIETY
http://www.raincoast.org/
To prevent hunting of grizzlies and other species, Raincoast purchased one of largest commercial trophy hunting tenures in British Columbia, covering over 20,000 square kilometers of coastal rainforest. It also conducts cutting edge research on wolves, grizzlies, salmon and forest ecology on the north and central coasts of B.C., and produces books, reports, films and other public education materials.
SEA SHEPHERD CONSERVATION SOCIETY
http://www.seashepherd.org/
Sea Shepherd specializes in direct action to stop the slaughter of marine life and the destruction of habitat on the high seas. It aims to enforce international marine conservation laws and regulations, and has intervened against whaling, sealing, shark finning, longlining and other exploitive activities.
THE DAVID SUZUKI FOUNDATION
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/
This is a science- and education-based organization focused on oceans and sustainable fishing, climate change and clean energy, and achieving sustainability within a generation. It offers many opportunities for individual action through its Nature Challenge.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF CANADA
http://www.natureconservancy.ca/
The Nature Conservancy directly protects critical habitats across Canada by acquiring natural lands through donation, purchase and conservation easement.
WESTERN CANADA WILDERNESS COMMITTEE
http://www.wildernesscommittee.org/
With a membership 30,000 strong, WCWC is the largest membership-based, citizen-funded wilderness preservation organization in Canada. Since 1980, WCWC has been instrumental in gaining protection for approximately 50 wilderness areas including Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Carmanah Pacific Provincial Park and the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary.
WILDLIFE PRESERVATION CANADA
http://www.wildlifepreservation.ca/
Founded by the late naturalist and author Gerald Durrell, WPTC is dedicated to saving critically endangered species whose numbers in the wild are so low that habitat protection alone is not enough to bring them back from the brink. Programs include: captive breeding and reintroduction to the wild of species such as burrowing owls, swift foxes, Vancouver Island marmots and eastern loggerhead shrikes; and the New Noah training program for young Canadian biologists involved in applied research on recovery of endangered species.
SOME GREAT ANIMAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS
ANIMAL ALLIANCE OF CANADA
http://www.animalalliance.ca/
This organization addresses everything from strengthening animal cruelty legislation to the trade in bear parts. Project Jessie rescues dogs and cats from pounds that sell pets for research. The Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada promotes the election of candidates that support the protection of animals and the environment.
PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
http://www.peta.org/
PETA runs high-profile campaigns promoting animal rights as well as undercover investigations into animal cruelty at such facilities as research laboratories, factory farms, fur farms, circuses and zoos. Information on their website includes lists of companies and charities that do and do not conduct cruel tests on animals.
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.hsus.org/
HSUS runs a broad range of campaigns protecting pets, factory-farmed chickens, marine mammals, chimps used in research and abused horses, to name just a few.
VANCOUVER HUMANE SOCIETY
http://www.vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/
A small organization that accomplishes a lot with a little, the VHS offers humane education programs in schools, assistance for pets whose owners cannot afford emergency veterinary treatment, and operates campaigns against rodeo, factory farming and other issues.
WORLD SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS
http://www.wspa.ca/
WSPA is a large organization operating a variety of campaigns worldwide. For example, it provides: sanctuaries for rescued dancing bears in India, Pakistan, Greece and Turkey; disaster relief for animals stranded or injured during hurricanes and earthquakes; and veterinary care for hard-working horses, donkeys and mules in Asia, Africa and Latin America. It also strives to end the cruel practice of farming bears for their bile in China, Vietnam and South Korea.
ZOOCHECK CANADA
http://www.zoocheck.com/
Zoocheck conducts research, public education and legislative actions to end the abuse, neglect and exploitation of wild animals held in captivity by zoos, circuses, traveling shows and individuals.
SOME GREAT NATURAL HISTORY SITES
ARKive
http://www.birding.com/
ARKive is an online repository of compelling images, videos and other documentation of endangered species as a freely accessible resource for conservation, education and public awareness.
BIRDING.COM
http://www.birding.com/
This site offers information on where and when to bird around the globe.
CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/
Live webcams of nesting birds, detailed accounts of North American birds and more are available here.
HINTERLAND WHO’S WHO
http://www.hww.ca/
Get fact sheets on selected Canadian wildlife species, habitats, environmental issues and wildlife-related activities.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY – NORTH AMERICAN MAMMALS
http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/
Search by species name, conservation status and other criteria to obtain detailed information on North American mammals.
NHBS ENVIRONMENT BOOKSTORE
http://www.nhbs.com/
This site offers a very impressive selection of natural history books searchable by species, subject and geozone/location.
SOME GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY SITES
McDONALD WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
http://www.hoothollow.com/
McDonald Wildlife offers superb and intensive week-long workshops in wildlife photography and Photoshop as well as photo tours to many prime locations.
NATURESCAPES
http://www.naturescapes.net
NatureScapes hosts a variety of forums for sharing images and information, presents photography-related articles, and offers great photography gear and unmatched customer service through its online store.
NORTH AMERICAN NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY ASSOCIATION
http://www.nanpa.org/
NANPA offers many useful resources to nature photographers – everything from insurance package for your camera equipment to educational workshops and annual summits.
TIMGREY.COM
http://www.timgrey.com/
This is a great source for information on Photoshop and digital imaging. Sign up for regular Digital Darkroom Questions answered in your mailbox, or for a new quarterly magazine put out by one of the top experts in the field.
