A new year brings new goals to live a healthier, happier life. When creating your New Year’s resolutions for 2025, consider adding goals that can also help wildlife. Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild Co-Hosts Peter Gros and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant have five ideas to get you started.
How to create goals with wildlife in mind
1. Eat local
A simple way to help our planet is to be mindful of where your food comes from. Think about something you and your family eat on a regular basis. Is there one ingredient in your recipe you can get locally?
“Something we’ve started doing more and more is going to farmers markets,” Dr. Rae said. “When I tell you the sweet potatoes we get are the most delicious potatoes you can imagine…and they’re cheap and local! I’m supporting part of my local economy and it’s been an easy switch.”
Many farmers market stands sell organic produce and the absence of pesticides benefits wildlife. If you can’t make it to a farmers market, check the labels at your grocery store. Oftentimes in the produce section, grocers will indicate if fruits and vegetables are from local producers.
You can also consider growing your own backyard garden full of fresh fruits and veggies. Combine your crops with native plants and you’ll have a garden that’s not only beautiful, but great for wildlife. Learn how to build a garden with wildlife in mind.
2. Get involved in your community
Meet fellow nature and wildlife lovers through local conservation groups and science centers. Look for volunteer opportunities with zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centers and other nature facilities.
“Depending on where you live, it could be a river cleanup, a beach cleanup, marking nests where turtles have come to lay or documenting wildlife habitats,” Peter said. “Reach out and see what’s available locally and connect with people who are already involved.”
Learn about environmental organizations in your community and get to know their mission. Seek out opportunities to support them through volunteering, donations and activism. Check out these tips for helping wildlife in your community.
Another way to help your local wildlife is to be aware of any environmental initiatives that may appear on your ballot. Research proposals and be informed so you can be a voice for animals at the voting booth.
3. Spend time outdoors
Make spending time outdoors a habit this year. Seek out local hiking trails and parks and bring the whole family.
“Take a guidebook that identifies wildlife tracks,” Peter said. “Want to know where the deer are? Follow tracks. Look for signs of wildlife. Set yourself in a quiet place with a good pair of binoculars.”
Spending time in nature and observing wildlife can help instill empathy for animals in young people. And it’s a wonderful way to stay healthy while admiring our planet!
Staying home for the weekend? Check out these tips for backyard bird watching.
4. Rethink your commute
Commit to commuting differently just one day a month, or even one day a year. Find a colleague to carpool with or ride your bike. Get the family involved too!
Each year, Dr. Rae’s family participates in her daughter’s bike to school day.
“When it’s bike to school day in the spring, we’re going to do it!” Dr. Rae said. “Being off the road and not emitting fossil fuels for one single day a year makes a difference.”
Reducing fossil fuel emissions helps wildlife because these resources are drilled from places like the ocean, home to whales, dolphins and other animals.
“The more of us that reduce our fossil fuels, the more likely marine habitats will start to flourish again,” Dr. Rae said.
5. Collect rainwater
See rain in the forecast? Gather up buckets and place them around your yard.
“Collecting rainwater, we often think of it as a drag,” Dr. Rae said. “But putting out buckets to collect rainwater reduces runoff so it doesn’t go down into sewers or drains.”
Use your rainwater to water indoor plants, wash your car, boil it to wash dishes and more. Save it for when it’s drier and you need water for your plants.
By collecting rainwater, you’ll also help prevent flooding and erosion which can damage wildlife habitats. Plus, you’ll save on your water bills when it’s time to water your plants!
With these ideas, you’ll find that helping wildlife doesn’t need to be complicated. Make your resolutions easy and enjoyable.
“When you make it easy, it encourages us to make more small changes and get more people in our communities to make these changes,” Dr. Rae said. “And when neighborhoods start making small changes, that’s when we really see the magic happen.”
