Plants and animals maintain the health of an ecosystem.

And,
when species become endangered , it’s a sign that an ecosystem is out
of balance. But why does this matter?
Well, ecosystems  are groups of plants and animals that are found in the
same area and interact with each other. These interactions make up and
maintain the environments we know today – like rainforests, mountains
and savannahs. 
But the balance within an ecosystem isn’t always easy to maintain: the
loss of one species often triggers the loss of others. 
For example, when grey wolves were hunted to near-extinction  in the
United States’ Yellowstone National Park, beaver populations also
decreased significantly. 
This happened because elk populations that were usually hunted by
wolves, were able to graze freely and more heavily on the plants that
were also needed by beavers to survive during winter.
But did you know that the conservation of endangered species helps to
restore the balance in ecosystems and is important for humans too? Let’s
find out how. 
T HE BE NE FI TS O F CO NS ERVING
E NDANG E RE D S PE CI ES

 
A well-balanced ecosystem maintains the health of the environment. This
ensures that human beings have access to clean air and water, and fertile
land for agriculture.
Clean air and water improves our quality of life, and fertile land for
agriculture ensures that we can produce enough food for consumption. A
balanced ecosystem also provides us with plants that have medicinal
properties . 
So, when ecosystems aren’t maintained, our health can be affected too.
That’s why when you add to the conservation of endangered species,
you’re also contributing towards the well-being of all people.
Do you want to know how?
H OW TO CONTRIB UTE T OW ARDS
T HE CO NS ERVAT IO N O F
E NDANG E RE D S PE CI ES

 
Although there are many endangered species across the globe, there are
also lots of efforts underway to conserve them.
Governments, non-profit organisations, international organisations, local
communities, and individuals are working together to contribute towards
growing the populations of endangered species. 
They’re also building on awareness campaigns that are aimed at getting
even more people involved in vital conservation work.
As an individual, you can make an impact by learning about, and raising
awareness of, endangered species in your area and across the world.
A sustainable way  to do this is to get involved as a volunteer and partner
with governments and organisations on existing conservation projects.
This is a great way to learn about wildlife conservation, and gain hands-
on, professional field experience . These practical skills will boost your
resume for a career in sustainable development. And if you have a
different career in mind, you’ll still pick up other valuable skills like
teamwork and leadership.
 

 
Volunteering is also a valuable opportunity to get involved in scientific
research aimed at wildlife conservation. Part of your duties on a wildlife
conservation program might include data collection, which provides
valuable information that can be used by scientists.
GVI works on protecting endangered species by partnering  with local
governments, communities, and non-profit organisations.
So, joining one of our projects as a volunteer  or intern  will give you the
chance to help maintain well-balanced ecosystems and conserve the
animals that depend on them. You’ll learn more about conservation in a
real-life context, and experience the challenges involved in conservation
up close. 
Here are some of the projects that you could get involved in to add to the
conservation of endangered species with GVI.
GET INVOLVED IN SEA TURTLE
CONSERVATION IN GREECE

A GVI volunteer measures the shell of a turtle in Giannitsochori, Greece.

Data collected from GVI conservation projects contributes to coastal
management plans in Greece.

Six of the seven species of sea turtles are listed as endangered, or

critically endangered  according to the International Union for
Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN’s) Red List. 
Why is this?
Well, sea turtles face many challenges to their survival like ocean
pollution. With so much waste polluting the ocean, turtles are at risk of
eating, or becoming tangled in litter like plastic bags.
Uncontrolled coastal development also has a negative impact on turtles
because it limits their nesting grounds. 
And, poaching activities – that target turtle eggs, skins, shells and meat –
also affects the number of sea turtles in the ocean. These are just a few
of the common obstacles sea turtles face.