5 UK Charities Working to Protect Wildlife

With more than 165,000 registered UK charities from which to choose, people interested in getting involved with one could easily feel overwhelmed. In addition to thousands of different organisations, there exist hundreds of diverse social causes as well. If you are interested in volunteering with animals or plants, or would like to help preserve their natural habitats through donations or a corporate partnership, this article may be able to assist you in the charity selection process.

The following are descriptions of five unique charities serving to protect the diverse flora and fauna of the United Kingdom:

• Tiggywinkles

  Founded in 1983, Tiggywinkles is a not for profit wildlife hospital that specializes in British wildlife. The hospital's trained veterinary team rescues and rehabilitates injured animals and has a controlled programme for releasing them back into their natural habitats. Tiggywinkles treats more than 10,000 animals annually at its facility in Buckinghamshire, England. The organisation has also contributed to global advancements in the medical treatment of wild animals, such as hedgehogs, badgers, and deer. As Tiggywinkles helps each rescued animal free of charge, the hospital's existence depends upon paid memberships and donations.

  HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

  Volunteer as a rescuer, foster carer, or ambulance driver, become a member, make a donation, throw a fundraiser, or adopt an animal.

• Marine Conservation Society

  For more than 30 years, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has worked to protect the seas, shores and marine wildlife surrounding the UK. The MCS fights pollution and over-fishing, conducts research on local marine wildlife, helps establish marine conservation zones, cleans beaches, and has a number of environmental campaigns. Two of their current campaigns are Don't let go, which discourages people from releasing balloons and sky lanterns due to their detrimental impacts on marine life, and Scrub it out, which seeks to stop the production of goods containing microplastics, which can pollute the sea.

  HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

  Volunteer as a Sea Champion, beach cleaner, or with a local MCS group. If you enjoy diving, you may be interested in volunteer research-related diving with Seasearch. You can also support MCS by joining one of their campaigns, becoming a member, or adopting a seahorse.

• Trees for Life

  Trees for Life is a Scottish not for profit dedicated to restoring the Caledonian Forest and protecting the plants and animals that live there. Due to invasive species and animals such as deer that eat tree seedlings, the majority of trees in the Scottish Highlands are old. In order to keep the Caledonian Forest alive and thriving, Trees for Life builds fences to protect seedlings, plants native trees, and removes non-native trees. Volunteers are an essential part of this regrowth process, and the organisation welcomes helpers of all ages.

  HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

  You can help by becoming a member, joining as a corporate sponsor, making a donation, sponsoring an acre of land for reforestation, distributing leaflets or fliers, or volunteering to help plant trees and protect the forest habitat.

• World of Owls

  Do you think owls are a hoot? If so, you may be interested in learning about World of Owls, a Northern Ireland-based organisation that promotes the protection of owls around the world. Located within the Randalstown Forest, the not for profit rescues owls, as well as turkey vultures, eagles, hawks, reptiles, alpacas, pigs and rabbits, among other creatures. In addition to rescue and rehabilitation, World of Owls also provides training courses and educational opportunities at the centre.

  HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

  Consider donating to the organisation, sponsoring an animal, becoming a corporate sponsor, or visiting the centre to see the animals (admission is only £5.50 for adults and £4.50 for children and OAPs!)

• The Bumblebee Conservation Trust

  Since its founding in 2006, The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) has worked to preserve and increase the size of bumblebee populations throughout the UK. In order to support these goals, the organisation is reintroducing the native Short-haired bumblebee to the UK, restoring bee habitats, promoting environmental policies, raising public awareness of bumblebee conservation, and creating educational programmes such as Bees for Everyone. The BBCT has more than 7,000 members. Why not consider joining to see what all the buzz is about?

  HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

  Become a member, purchase colorful postcards and bumblebee pins from the organisation's merchandise web page, learn about bee-friendly farming, or volunteer with the BBCT.