World Wildlife Day: Protecting Wildlife Supports Our Health

Hi. My name is Prisha. I am a Health Sciences student at Western University. I am completing a placement with Inclusion Canada. In this role, I am learning that health depends on more than our healthcare system. It also depends on our communities and the environment.

Today is World Wildlife Day. Wildlife means animals, plants, and other living things that grow and live in nature. When plants and animals are healthy, it is good for our environment. And a healthy environment with clean air and water, fertile soil, and safe habitats, is good for wildlife and for people! For World Wildlife Day, I want to explore how protecting wildlife supports people with an intellectual disability and their families.

Disability Justice and the Environment

Protecting wildlife is a public health issue. When the environment is unhealthy or changes, the weather can change too. Severe weather can harm wildlife and people. This harm is not equal. People with a disability are often more severely affected. This includes people with an intellectual disability.

Many people with an intellectual disability face barriers to healthcare, communication, and emergency help. These barriers can make severe weather events like wildfires, heavy rains, floods, and ice storms more dangerous. Emergencies can also cause new barriers, like disruptions in disability support services. People may have to leave their communities and natural support systems.

Severe weather can also impact our health. Medications that are often prescribed to people with an intellectual disability make it harder for bodies to handle extreme heat. Pollution and poor air quality can also make health problems worse. Asthma is one example, and it is more common among people with an intellectual disability.

Disability justice helps us understand these issues more clearly. Disability justice means that people with a disability have equal rights, equal access, and a voice in decisions that affect their lives. To make disability justice real, people with a disability must be included in climate planning and environmental decision-making.

Why Nature Matters for Mental Health

Access to nature is important for mental and emotional health, and wildlife is a big part of what makes nature meaningful for people. Even spending 15 minutes in nature can reduce stress and improve well-being. Time outdoors can also reduce anxiety and strengthen friendships. Green spaces like parks, gardens, and walking trails can help people connect with their emotions and provide routine and comfort.

When natural spaces are inaccessible, unsafe, or unavailable, people with an intellectual disability miss out on connection, recreation, and overall well-being. Making natural spaces accessible supports mental health and inclusion for people with an intellectual disability. It also benefits everyone by giving all community members a place to relax, exercise, and appreciate nature.

We can take many steps to make nature more accessible for everyone. This can include building more paths, adding benches, creating quiet areas, or putting up clear maps and signs. Those who cannot easily get outside can enjoy nature from their homes. For example, adding a bird feeder in your backyard or listening to birds outside your window or in your garden can lift your mood. Small ways to bring nature and wildlife closer to home can make a big difference and help everyone feel happier and healthier.

Why Wildlife Protection Matters

Protecting wildlife supports our environment and people. When our habitats are destroyed, the impacts of climate change get worse.  Health risks increase, and people with a disability are often the first to be excluded from decisions, resources, and community supports.

Inclusion is not only about services and supports. It is also about creating environments where everyone can live safely, with dignity, and access the resources they need. Protecting our natural spaces reinforces the health and participation for people with an intellectual disability.

World Wildlife Day reminds us that caring for wildlife is also a way of caring for people. When we work to protect the planet, we help build a healthier, more inclusive future for everyone.