Advocate for Biodiversity
Individuals and nonprofits can make a difference for conservation. Educate your network about what’s at stake. Amplify facts and personal stories that show why plants matter. Engage elected officials to push policy change. And, where you can, join up with others to maximize your impact.
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Individual Advocacy
Individuals can participate in advocacy activities to support plant conservation. Some examples of ways private citizens can advocate on behalf of plants are listed below. You can also download and/or distribute the flyer in the Advocacy Resources section for additional guidelines and information.
What can you do?
- Vote for candidates with aligned views
- Volunteer to help get candidates elected
- Contact your local, state, and/or federal elected officials to share your views on introduced legislation
- Contact another legislator in higher-ranking position
- Share calls-to-action and fact-based information within your own networks
- Educate your electeds on issues to inform future legislation
- Write or add signature to drafted letter regarding proposed legislation
- Join a local or state commission or board related to your issue
- Hold a meeting or town hall regarding an issue
- Speak before your City Council, State legislature, or Congress about an issue
- Submit a statement to Congressional Record or official state record of legislative action
Non-Profit Advocacy
Conservation nonprofits with 501(c)(3) tax status can advocate, but have some limitations on lobbying due to IRS regulations. Nonprofits cannot, for example, encourage their network to vote for a particular candidate, nor can they endorse candidates. But, there is a lot you can do! When issues align with your mission, nonprofits can:
What can nonprofits do?
- Educate members of the public, agencies, and legislators about issues impacting organization's mission
- Canvass the public to raise awareness
- Prepare candidate questionnaires and publish nonpartisan voter guides summarizing where the candidates stand on your issue
- Conduct nonpartisan get-out-the-vote activities and voter registration drives
When in doubt, nonprofits should consult an attorney for specific guidance.
Who We Look To
For up-to-date information on conservation advocacy opportunities, we look to organizations like: