12 Conservation Organizations Making a Real Impact Right Now

Now more than ever, wildlife conservation is crucial to the survival of the world’s species. Climate change, pollution, and human activity are pushing animals to the brink of extinction. With public support, wildlife organizations are stepping in to halt the decline of species. Most of these organizations are dedicated nonprofits, though some receive government or private funding. Each one is making a difference for the cause they support, whether it’s through boots on the ground or education. Fundraising is a crucial part of many of these organizations, which couldn’t take action without their supporters’ help.

As Wildlife Conservation Day approaches on December 4th, these organizations are worthy of our help this season.

World Wildlife Fund

Also known as the WWF, this nonprofit has worked hard to save some of the world’s most endangered species. The list is long, but includes rhinos, mountain gorillas, tigers, giant pandas, sea turtles, orangutans, sea otters, and jaguars. It also partners with other organizations to keep this list going strong.

Conservation efforts include promoting sustainability, protecting threatened habitats, working with local businesses, advocating for government policy, and engaging volunteers. WWF focuses on both land and marine wildlife, as well as the broader environment, especially when pollution poses a threat to species.

• How You Can Help: Volunteer through an Action Center, Donate, Adopt a Species, Gift in honor of a loved one, or Gift through Estate Planning

The Nature Conservancy

With a distinct focus on the environment, The Nature Conservancy fights to protect the land we all inhabit. Its mission is to conserve land and water habitats, mitigate climate change, advocate for government policy, and support scientific research that benefits the Earth. This nonprofit seeks to bridge the gap between humans and animals with nature at the forefront.

By creating a world in which our global landscape is protected, The Nature Conservancy strives to ensure a future for all endangered species. After starting as a grassroots organization in 1951, it’s now one of the leading conservation nonprofits in the world.

• How You Can Help: Become a Nature Ally, Donate, donate through Gift or Estate Planning, or Become a Member

The Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is a grassroots organization devoted to preserving wild and recreational lands. As a nonprofit, it seeks to educate people through hiking, climbing, and other forms of outdoor recreation. Its goal is to keep these regions as natural as possible for both the humans and animals who call them home.

The Sierra Club does this through legislative lobbying, recreational and educational excursions, protecting national parks, promoting clean energy, air, and water, and preserving essential wilderness areas. By defending the land, the Sierra Club protects crucial habitats by keeping them wild.

• How You Can Help: Donate, become a Sierra Club member, join a campaign, or participate in Monthly Action Hours

Oceana

Oceans cover approximately 71% of planet Earth, and Oceana strives to protect them all. With science-backed campaigning, Oceana aims to maintain and restore habitats that are essential to marine life. The advocacy organization’s missions help both aquatic life and the environment by lobbying against habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, and by fighting for threatened species.

Oceana has filed lawsuits, conducted its own research, and fought against significant issues such as overfishing. Its policy victories highlight its commitment to marine conservation.

• How You Can Help: Donate, Become a Wave Maker, volunteer to Take Action, or Shop the Oceana Store and adopt an animal

The National Audubon Society

Approximately 1,409 bird species are currently endangered worldwide. The Audubon Society seeks not only to prevent further endangerment but also to protect bird species that are not currently at risk. Through a combination of education, science, and advocacy, it strives to create a world in which birds are less vulnerable to threats.

Climate change, pollution, and habitat loss are all significant factors driving some of these species to the brink of extinction. Audubon seeks to counteract this and has a long history of doing just that.

• How You Can Help: Get involved through an Action Center, Find an Audubon and Events near you, Participate in Community Science, help Educate, Become a Member, Donate, Shop Audubon, or Give Gifts

The Jane Goodall Institute

The Jane Goodall Institute, also known as JGI, was founded by Dr. Jane Goodall. Her mission was to study, educate the world, and ultimately, protect the future of chimpanzees. This hard work endured and impacted many, leading to the founding of JGI, which continues to strive for the same thing today.

Since 1977, the efforts of both Dr. Goodall and the institute have been ongoing to protect the vulnerable habitats of threatened chimpanzees. Their mission statement is, “It starts with Jane and leads to you,” and now, you have a chance to help.

• How You Can Help: Donate, Gift in Honor, Gift and Estate Planning, Shop the JGI Store, Become a Chimpanzee Guardian

International Rhino Foundation

Rhinos are threatened worldwide, and some species, such as the Northern White Rhino, are functionally extinct, with only two remaining females. The International Rhino Foundation seeks to counteract this, one rhino protection action at a time.

IRF advocates for anti-poaching, rhino habitat conservation, and conducts its own research on the status of the world’s rhino population. Together with local communities, the IRF helps to raise awareness and bring attention to one of the world’s most vulnerable species.

• How You Can Help: Donate, Adopt a Rhino, Shop the IRF Store

Sea Turtle Conservancy

The Sea Turtle Conservancy, also known as STC, has an impressive conservation record. As of 2025, it has tagged and monitored more than 550 sea turtles and trained over 1,200 researchers. While the green sea turtle was recently downlisted from Endangered to Least Concern by the IUCN, many other species remain at risk.

The STC works to preserve their environments, nesting grounds, and tracks migrating turtles via satellite, collaborates with and educates local communities, and protects the species against poaching.

• How You Can Help: Take a guided tour or walk in a protected sea turtle area, Donate, shop the STC Store, and follow migrations with one of two STC mobile apps

PADI AWARE Foundation

The PADI AWARE Foundation is a scuba-led nonprofit that advocates for the world’s oceans. Using a unique blend of community engagement, education, citizen science, and public policy campaigning, it aims to clean up our waters. The nonprofit also engages local divers in community clean-ups while protecting endangered species and raising awareness.

Its events target issues such as pollution, climate change, and vulnerable habitats. One of its most popular community events is Divers Against Debris, which aims to reduce litter in local waterways.

• How You Can Help: Shop the PADI AWARE Foundation storefront, Book a PADI AWARE resort or vacation, Become a Member, take a PADI Scuba Course, Participate in a Conservation Activity, or Participate in Citizen Science Research

Panthera

Panthera, a global conservation organization, looks to maintain and protect the world’s big cat species. Its conservation efforts help 40 species of big cats, including snow leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, tigers, pumas, and lions. Many of these, such as the Siberian tiger, still maintain their Endangered status. However, efforts like those of Panthera have helped to stabilize some populations.

Panthera’s SMART tracking system helps prevent poaching, while its community outreach and habitat restoration help maintain the current populations. Panthera also educates communities about interactions between humans and big cats, raising awareness for both animal and human safety.

• How You Can Help: Donate, Make a Gift, Apply for a Grant, Learn and Educate Others, join a Big Cat Campaign, or shop the Panthera Storefront

International Union for the Conservation of Nature

The IUCN is one of the largest and leading conservation groups in the world. It’s responsible for tracking endangered species worldwide on its Red List. As of October 2025, the IUCN Red List includes more than 172,600 species, of which over 48,600 are threatened with extinction. The IUCN is a powerful tool for changing conservation legislation, and it frequently campaigns for the protection of natural habitats.

It also has a wide range of conservation projects underway at any given time, including ecosystem restoration, habitat loss prevention, and sustainability promotion. The IUCN is also the advisory body for the World Heritage Convention, which is an international agreement adopted by UNESCO to protect cultural and natural sites.

• How You Can Help: Become a Member, Donate, Join an IUCN Commission, or subscribe to the IUCN Newsletter

Defenders of Wildlife

Based out of California, Defenders of Wildlife has a long list of conservation action items. It protects vulnerable North American species, restores and preserves habitats, advocates for conservation policies, engages with local communities, fights climate change, and slows the spread of invasive species.

Defenders of Wildlife also offers a unique service as a mediator between communities and landowners, working toward peaceful solutions to conservation conflicts.

• How You Can Help: Donate, Take Action in events and campaigns, Become a Wildlife Defender, and learn about conservation in politics