With Earth Day coming up on Wednesday, many Utah groups will be gathering with a goal to make a difference in protecting Earth’s natural resources.
From parties pushing “go green” initiatives, to cleanup crews taking care of parks and nature areas, there are many ways one can get involved. As another way to celebrate the planet this Earth Day, the state’s Division of Wildlife Resources shared seven tips to protect wildlife as part of your celebration.
Tips to protect wildlife
Report sightings of reptiles, amphibians and birds
By downloading the iNaturalist app and taking photos from a safe distance of different species, you can provide data to assist in animal monitoring.
“Community science observations provide very useful data that can be used to help us monitor native animals,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ native herpetology coordinator Alyssa Hoekstra said. “Reptiles and amphibians, in particular, are usually only active at certain times of the day and year. Records added to specific Utah groups in iNaturalist can help biologists gather information over a broad period of time and over a large geographic range. This helps us to capture data points that could have otherwise been missed.”
Submitting your year-round bird sightings to eBird is also useful to help biologists and researchers track migration patterns as well as the species’ population size.
Reduce plastic use and do not litter
This one goes without saying, but littering is not great for wildlife. If animals eat paper, plastic or human food, it can cause digestive issues, which may be fatal. The DWR warns that throwing trash outside your car will attract more wildlife to the road, increasing the likelihood of vehicle collisions with wildlife.
Dispose of your trash properly and avoid single-use plastics such as bags, bottles, wraps and plastic utensils.
Turn off outdoor lights at night and increase window safety
Many birds migrate during the spring at night, and light pollution acts as an obstacle.
“Light pollution can disorient birds and draw them off course, and can sometimes cause collisions with lighted buildings and other structures,” DWR’s Avian conservation program coordinator Adam Brewerton said. “Artificial light has also been shown to impact certain wildlife species, especially during their breeding season. Light pollution can impact the frequency and timing of mating calls and the activity or movement of various nocturnal species.”
During these migration periods, many birds die each year from flying into windows on buildings. To prevent this, the DWR says to install screens or use film, paint or strings no more than 2 inches apart to break up the reflection in the window.
Do not feed wildlife
While feeding animals can be fun, it can be extremely harmful to the animals, as it can spread chronic wasting disease and cause digestion issues in animals.
Feeding animals may also lead them to habitually return to the same spots in search of handouts they found previously, causing damage to property and becoming a nuisance.
The DWR insists that we keep wildlife wild by not feeding them.
Keep wildlife where they belong
Transferring fish and other wildlife is not only illegal, but it can also lead to the spread of disease. Additionally, these transfers can impact native species as invasive species take over.
Be sure to clean your boots and equipment from body of water to body of water to prevent the spread of tiny invasive species, like the New Zealand mud snail, disrupting the food chain.
Reduce water use
As much as humans rely on water, fish need it just as much. To keep reservoirs, where fish live, full, the DWR suggests these lines of action:
- Delay watering lawns until May 15
- Replace grass with plants that require less water
- Turn faucets off while brushing teeth, shaving or washing vegetables
- Reduce shower times and use water-efficient shower heads
- Install a water-saving smart irrigation controller
- Turn sprinklers off during or after rainstorms
Buy a hunting license
According to the DWR, hunters and anglers are among the greatest wildlife conservationists because they provide a large amount of funding used to preserve wildlife. One hundred percent of license dollars go toward the DWR’s work in improving habitats for varying fish and wildlife species — ensuring the species can be enjoyed for generations to come.
How else are people celebrating?
Upcoming Earth Day celebrations include a Girls Only Adventure Trip trail cleanup activity in Draper, meeting at Alien Tower Trail on Thursday at 5 p.m. Friendly competition will be on display followed by dinner at Strap Tank Brewery; sign up for this activity here.
A bird walk along the Jordan River will be hosted by Tracy Aviary, which will also host iNaturalist and biodiversity workshops, a bike ride and a 5K walk or run with various different organizations. This free event will take place Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sign up to dispose of trash in various Kimball Junction locations where trash has accumulated over the winter. Learn more about how you can participate in this Park City activity.
Utah’s Hogle Zoo already celebrated on Saturday with its “Party for the Planet,” where people were taught how to conserve and reuse while connecting with the animals. Ogden also had its own celebration Saturday, connecting people to each other, nature and their community with plenty of hands-on activities. In Millcreek, a Ripple Effect Earth Day celebration was hosted, educating attendees about the effects their actions have on the environment, along with free rollerskating.