Giving back, either of your time or money, is one of the most important things you can do to improve your local community and the world.
Every autumn, the charitable solicitation spigot turns on like clockwork. Daily, a new email or direct mail piece arrives asking for a donation. And that’s to say nothing of the constant deluge of online ads and social media posts. Most charities are certainly worthy and carry out important work. Some even risk their lives to do so. But the list of causes you’d like to support can grow so large, you may have decision paralysis on a day of action like Giving Tuesday.
Over the years, I’ve donated to many causes. What follows is a list of wildlife charities and plant- and gardening-focused charities I support. Two are local to me (Pennsylvania, U.S.), but you’ll find similar organizations in your area. The list is in no particular order and I hope you find it helpful.
1. American Bird Conservancy
American Bird Conservancy has been working on behalf of birds for more than 25 years in North America, Central America, and South America. They focus on preventing the extinction of the most endangered birds, conserving habitat, reducing threats to birds, and building a community of bird conservationists. Visit the ABC website.
2. Audubon
Audubon is perhaps the best-known organization for protecting birds and educating the public about them. Their focus is on protecting species threatened by climate change, preserving coastal habitats, encouraging the use of native plants, conserving acres of water along the Colorado River, and education programs. The nice thing about Audubon is that it’s not only national but regional as well. So while I donate to Audubon Mid-Atlantic, you can donate to the Audubon organization focused on your region. There are currently 23 state programs, 41 Audubon centers, and more than 450 local organizations. Visit the Audubon website.
3. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society – PHS
According to their mission statement, “PHS uses horticulture to increase four building blocks of health and well-being in the greater Philadelphia region: access to fresh food, healthy living environments, deep social connections, and economic opportunities.” They do an extraordinary amount of work in the region, not the least of which is their annual PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, which is not to be missed. Visit the PHS website.
4. Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange is sharply focused on preserving heirloom plant varieties through regeneration, distribution, and seed exchange. It’s also one of the largest seed banks in the United States. Why is this important? Heirloom varieties are plants that have been grown for hundreds of years in some cases, without the intervention of plant breeders. “Exchange” is in their name because they connect thousands of home gardeners, farmers, and others to exchange and plant heirloom seeds each year. Seed Savers Exchange also save the seeds of rare varieties and heirlooms at a seed bank at their headquarters in Missouri, which is backed up at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. This is to ensure that seeds of heirloom and rare plants are available to future generations in the case of worldwide natural disaster. They also publish an annual seed catalog that you really need to see. You can simply support them by buying a few varieties of seeds each year for your garden. Visit the Seed Savers Exchange website.
5. One Tree Planted
One Tree Planted has a simple mission – for every dollar donated, they will plant one tree somewhere in the world. Why trees? Because trees clean the air, filter water, store carbon dioxide, and provide critical habitat for birds, insects, animals, and other creatures. One Tree Planted works with partners in North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific. Visit the One Tree Planted website here.
6. Longwood Gardens (or your local botanical garden)
Longwood Gardens near Philadelphia is a public botanical garden of extraordinary value. Longwood is genuinely one of the world’s great gardens, and they also conduct horticultural research and public education programs. Visit the Longwood Gardens website. There may also be a botanical garden near you.
7. Kids Gardening
I learned to garden when I was a kid, and it’s a love I carried with me into adulthood. If you’re like me, you know how important it is to “plant seeds” in young minds. And that’s what Kids Gardening does. Their mission is to create opportunities for children to grow through gardening, which engages their natural curiosity. They offer grants to educators and families to get kids to learn about the natural world. Visit the Kids Gardening website here.
8. The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
The Nature Conservancy is one of the most influential environmental organizations in the world. Their research and science-driven mission is to preserve the lands and water we all depend on. TNC impacts conservation in more than 70 countries and territories, and like Audubon, they have local chapters which you can support. See where The Nature Conservancy works here.
9. Pollinator Partnership
Pollinator Partnership are the folks behind #pollinatorweek, which you may have seen tagged in your social media feeds. Their mission is to promote the health of pollinators through conservation, education, and outreach. If you’ve spent any time reading the articles on BBOG, you know how important pollinators are for our gardens, food crops, and plants in general. They are dedicated exclusively to the health of pollinating animals. Visit the Pollinator Partnership website here.
10. Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
Arguably, the Royal Horticultural Society is one of the most important horticultural organizations in the world. As a resource of knowledge on all things gardening and horticulture, I frequently draw on their expert articles for illuminating challenging concepts. RHS also owns five gardens in the U.K. and partners with 200 others, and provides education programs and certifications. They also maintain a garden library which they claim houses one of the finest collections of horticultural literature in the world (I need to visit one day). Visit the RHS website here.