• Print
  • Share

Home > Take Action > Community Activism

Host an Event for Wildlife

Party (for) Animals


Why host a party or other event to promote wildlife conservation?


You can be a change agent for wildlife by recruiting people you care about to the cause. Most people want to hear what their friends are passionate about and why - and this is one of the most urgent calls to action you can make. The extinction crisis is real and the threat is growing. But even though we’re facing big challenges, we can all take simple steps to be part of the solution for wildlife.

So, what are you waiting for? Round up your closest friends for a great cause and host an event to save wildlife!

This guide will help you plan for your wildlife event, educate and activate your friends, family, and neighbors about how wildlife is affected by global climate change, habitat loss and other threats - and most importantly, to HAVE FUN!

Before  your event:

It’s important to be prepared. The list below will help you get started…

  • Choose your Location – First decide where you want to hold your event.
  • Get the Facts – Learn more about the latest threats to wildlife.
  • Gather your Supplies –  Visit [top campaigns] to find and print out fact sheets on the topic(s) you’ll be discussing at your party. Download our Wildlife sign-in sheet. If you are writing letters to the editor or to elected officials, print out copies of our Guide to Writing a Good Letter to the Editor – and don’t forget to provide paper, stamps, and pre-addressed envelopes to make it as easy as possible for your group.
  • Invite your Friends – Create an invitation list and invite people! If you have enough room, encourage your guests to bring friends.

At your event:

  • As your guests arrive, pass around your Wildlife sign-in sheet and ask your friends to sign in. You can use this as a way to keep track of who came to your event so you can follow up with them after it’s over.
  • Hand out fact sheets and any other materials you have on hand. 
  • Write letters to your elected officials or letters to the editor of your local newspaper. Don’t forget to mail them! 
  • Have fun! Eat snacks, kick back, enjoy yourself and have fun with your group. Don’t forget to take pictures!

Following up:

  • After your event is over, keep your guests informed and engaged by planning (or urging your friends to plan) a follow-up event or activity, like a community clean-up or a letter-writing party.
  • Post pictures from your event to our Flickr group at http://flickr.com/groups/defendersofwildlife/ and see what other wildlife supporters are up to around the country! Don't have a Flickr account? Sign up at www.flickr.com or send your photos via email (use the email subject line as your photo title and the body of the email to write a short description of your photos).
  • Let us know how it went! Defenders would love to see a copy of your letters or any responses you receive from your elected officials or newspaper editors. Please email them to letters@defenders.org or send them by fax to (202) 682-1331 or to the address below.