I'm returning from a long blog hiatus with a gentle plea to please give whatever you can to help the wildlife that has been deeply affected by the natural disasters in Australia. First the draught, then the raging fires, and now extreme rains are causing floods.
Here are a few amazing organizations dedicated to that cause:
• WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.) has been rescuing and caring for wildlife for over 30 years and is the largest wildlife rescue organization in Australia. They currently have 3,000 volunteers in 28 branches, and have a dedicated Rescue Office that operates 365 days a year assisting the community to help native animals in distress.
• Wildlife Victoria is a non-profit that provides wildlife emergency response services. Donations to their Victorian bushfire appeal will help rebuild enclosures and equipment that caregivers and rescuers have lost in the fires so that they can continue their lifesaving work, and support those who are struggling to cope with the enormous number of animals that need care.
• World Wildlife Fund Australia – This chapter of the international wildlife conservation organization is accepting donations to care for injured wildlife and, when the fires clear, to plant 10,000 native trees in critical koala habitat, including in "koala triangle," the heartland of Australia's healthiest wild koala populations.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone and everything affected by these recent disasters.