Conservation

Ever since I was young, the outdoors have always played a huge role in my life. As our world evolves, there's all kinds of new factors that are negatively affecting our environment from the food we eat, to the clothes we wear. In an industry notorious for its negative impact on the environment, we're looking to carve a new path. We started to dive deep into all of the details, re-evaluating our ecological impact with a greener future in mind. 

In addition to what we're doing here at Southern Standard, we believe we can make an impact elsewhere too. By partnering with individuals who share similar values and are just as excited for the next few years as us, we feel that we can make a difference and speak for the land to preserve a better future.

- Will Holland, CEO and Founder

The World Wildlife Fund is tackling a massive, worldwide mission: Conserving nature while reducing the most pressing threats to the diversity of life here on earth.

Food: Food production, distribution, management and waste is threatening wildlife, wild places and the planet itself. With 7.3 billion people consuming 1.6 times what the earth’s natural resources can supply, we’re headed in the wrong direction. Food is not reaching everyone who needs it, either. About 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted each year, equivalent to four times the amount needed to feed the 800,000,000+ malnourished people around the globe. In the next 40 years, increased demand for food will put pressure on agricultural, aquaculture and fishing resources that are already strained. By improving efficiency and productivity while reducing waste and shifting consumption patterns, we can produce enough food for everyone by 2050 on roughly the same amount of land we use now. WWF is working directly to refine production and distribution to combat waste. It’s important for us to improve how the world grows, transports and consumes this precious fuel.

Climate: We can create a climate-resilient and zero-carbon world, powered by renewable energy. WWF has a plan to build a safer future by protecting the world’s forests and helping people to rethink the way we produce and consume energy. One of the big goals is to reduce overall emissions that are driving climate change.

Fresh water: All life needs water and it is essential for anything from the food we eat to the cotton tees we wear. Less than 1% of the world’s water is fresh and accessible despite those same areas holding about 50% of all fish species. Climate change, population growth and increasing consumption patterns are all contributing to the decline of freshwater systems. Freshwater species are declining at an alarming rate of 76%. WWF works with businesses, governments and communities to ensure healthy freshwater systems exist to conserve wildlife and provide a sustainable future for all. Together, we can create a water secure future - by 2025, the health of the world’s major basins is on track to be steadily improving.

Wildlife: Humans are the leading cause for wildlife extinction, leading to a 60% decline in the size of populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians in just over 40 years. We don’t want to lose any of these species. WWF has been a part of numerous successful wildlife recoveries ranging from an African black rhino to baby elephants. Their goal is to ensure the world’s most iconic species are secured and recovering in the wild.

Forests: The beauty and tranquility of forests inspires us all. “The dawn chorus of birds singing, monkeys howling, frogs calling and insects buzzing. The crystal clear waterfalls that are perfect for a refreshing afternoon swim. Fireflies that illuminate trees at night.” Threats to the world’s forests are growing. Expanding agriculture and unsustainable logging are both responsible for a majority of the world’s deforestation. The Amazon, our largest rain forest on Earth, lost 17% of its forest cover in the last 50 years due to human activity. WWF mainly focuses on tropical rain forests, the most biologically diverse and complex forests on Earth. Additionally, there is some concern for deforestation in temperate regions like Russia and the United States.

Oceans: A resilient ocean sustains marine life and functioning ecosystems that support rich biodiversity, food security and sustainable livelihoods. With the ocean covering more than 2/3 of our planet’s surface, you’re never very far from the ocean’s reach no matter where your are. The ocean helps to regulate our climate, produce half the oxygen we breath and fuel the water cycle. Unfortunately, half of all coral reefs and mangrove forests are gone. Taking better care of the ocean is something we can all do together. WWF is focused on improving management of what is going into the ocean and what is coming out. In addition, they are protecting important regions like the Arctic.

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, they safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 318 million visitors every year.

The NPS is tasked with revitalizating communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close-to-home opportunities for people to get outside, be active, and have fun.

The National Park Service is a bureau of the US Department of the Interior and is led by a Director nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The Director is supported by senior executives who manage national programs, policy, and budget in the Washington, DC, headquarters and seven regional directors responsible for national park management and program implementation.

Founded by Scottish-American preservationist John Muir in  1892, the Sierra Club was one of the first large-scale environmental preservation organizations in the world. Muir and another gentleman, Robert Underwood Johnson, campaigned from the 1860's all the way up to 1890, when they successfully established Yosemite National Park. At the same time, Johnson was thinking ahead and encouraged Muir to form an association to protect the entire Sierra Nevada region. By 1892, with the involvement of some Cal-Berkeley and Stanford professors, the organization was formed. A few of the first goals for the organization included establishing Glacier and Mount Rainier National Parks and preserving California's beautiful coastal redwoods.  

"To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives." - Sierra Club's Mission Statement

Today, our oceans are at the limits of their resilience. However, when we protect critical ecosystems, prevent pollution, and carefully manage fishing, our oceans bounce back. Against all odds, vibrant life flourishes. Sea Legacy is on a mission to create healthy and abundant oceans for us, and for the planet.

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on the ground conservation.

Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action.

Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization.

Do you have another organization that you’d like us to know about?

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