Act Locally

It’s true, you can do a lot in your own backyard.  One of the most active ways is to provide a Backyard Habitat* for wildlife right at home!  The National Wildlife Federation has a certified program and instructions on how to do it.   SeaWorld San Diego has it’s own certified habitat  -- Garden of Discovery --  right next to the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium.  And recycling, reusing and reducing waste are important things you can do every day.  Anheuser-Busch recycles more aluminum that it uses and has reduced the use of resources in virtually every operation.  There are more and more people using more and more resources.  We must use them wisely in order for both people and wildlife to have enough.

*Backyard Habitats is a registered program of the National Wildlife Federation.

Speak Out

Find out about issues and let your opinions be heard.  It does make a difference.  Elected officials are your representatives and want to know what you think.  Most issues do not get a lot of attention, so even one or two letters can make a difference.

Be an Informed Consumer

Many of the products and services you utilize daily affect the environment either negatively or positively.  Some products from the rainforests are sustainably harvested like Brazil nuts and shade-grown coffee.  Look for certified wood programs that guarantee the wood was harvested in an ecologically “friendly” manner.  Avoid teak, rosewood and mahogany.  Even what you eat can make a difference.  Many species of fish are in decline or are harvested in wasteful ways.  Bottom trawling is a method of catching shrimp that destroys vast areas of the ocean floor.  By making informed choices, you can make a difference.

Weigh Alternatives

Do you really need to buy a pure bred puppy, or could you save a life at the humane society or shelter instead?  Thousands of dogs and cats are destroyed in cities across the United States every year.  By spaying and neutering your pets and adopting animals that are in need of loving homes, you are making a huge impact.   SeaWorld Adventure Park Orlando and Sesame Place in Pennsylvania feature a show called Pets on Stage, in which all the animals were adopted at shelters across the country.  In 2002, SeaWorld Adventure Park San Diego will be premiering their own Pets on Stage show as well.

Become Involved

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Adventure Parks rescue more animals than anyone else in the world and employees participate in local clean-up efforts every year.   There are many volunteer programs that could use your energy and knowledge.   Rescued wildlife care, beach clean-ups and park restorations are just a few ideas.   Look in your local paper or phone book for organizations and projects near you.

Support Conservation

There are many excellent environmental organizations which need your support.  Anheuser-Busch sponsors conservation projects on every continent and in the Arctic through grants to dozens of organizations.  From research on how to prevent marine mammals from becoming entangled in nets to elephant and gorilla behavioral studies in Africa, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens supports and partners with like minded organizations to get things done.