From Laura Klappenbach,
Your Guide to Animals / Wildlife.
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Looking for ways to enjoy animals and wildlife? Here are some suggestions for activities that range from afternoon projects to long-anticipated vacations.

Explore your Backyard

You don't have to travel to a remote wilderness to enjoy wildlife. In fact, you can find natural wonders in your own backyard if you look closely enough. Backyard activities might include:

• keeping a list of species that visit your garden
• photographing wildlife
• setting-up bird feeders
• planting flowers to attract butterflies
• gardening to attract wildlife

If you want further inspiration and ideas for backyard explorations and safaries, check-out Gerald and Lee Durrells' book, The Amateur Naturalist.

Visit Your Local Aquarium or Zoo

You may not have time to travel the world looking for exotic animals and wildlife, but you can still see them at your local aquarium or zoo. Be sure to take a camera and a notebook so you can record the animals that catch your attention.

Read a Book

Spend a quiet afternoon curled up with a good wildlife book.

Plan an Eco-Vaction

The planning of an eco-vaction takes a great deal of effort but is extremely rewarding. Start out by exploring your library for books, videos, and articles about different destinations that interest you. Put together a resource file containing information about the nature preserves, habitats, and wildlife you would like to visit and view. Gather maps, species lists, and news articles relevant to your destination. If you're traveling abroad, check with your doctor to find out if your trip requires any special immunizations or health precautions. Visit the State Department's website for relevant political information about the areas you will be visiting.

Watch a Nature Video

If you're interested in learning more about wildlife, be sure to explore your local library or video store for titles that interest you. Some of my favorites include: A&E's Intimate Strangers: Unseen Life on Earth, National Geographic's Among the Wild Chimpanzees and the BBC's Great White Sharks.

Create a Naturalist's Laboratory

By creating a distict space in your home in which to store your books, tools, and wildlife notes, you can better organize, expand, and preserve what you learn about the natural world. My favorite resource for creating an at-home laboratory can be found in Gerald Durrell's book The Amateur Naturalist. The second section of this book, "The Naturalist at Home", contains a wealth of information about the techniques, equipment, and practice of studying wildlife at home. More info...

Go on a Nature Hike

A nature hike through a local forest preserve or park is always a good way to immerse yourself in nature and wildlife. Be sure to take a map of the area, plenty of water, and some snacks. You may also consider taking a small pair of binoculars and a camera, but be careful not to try to carry too much heavy equipment. Note: If the area is remote or unfamiliar, ask a friend to go with you.

Explore Nature with Your Camera

Collecting information about animals and wildlife with your camera is a rewarding way to spend time outdoors. If you find it difficult to get close to your subject, refer to The Audubon Society Guide to Nature Photography for tips on how to construct blinds.

Get Involved

Join a local conservation group or wildlife interest club. Investigate volunteer programs at nearby forest preserves, zoos, aquariums, and natural history museums. Take an afternoon to research a conservation issue that interests you and find out how you can help. Find out what the Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society, and Sierra Club are doing to protect wildlife in your area. More info...