You might also include links to various charities and conservation groups that people can support. Consider hosting a fundraising party and inviting your friends, family, and neighbors over to spend an evening learning about axolotls and how they can help. Share some cool facts about axolotls like how they can breathe through their skin or how they can perfectly regenerate their limbs, organs, spines, brains, and other body parts 100 times over! If you’re a teacher, parent, or big sister, look up a variety of fun activities you can do to teach children about these adorable and fascinating amphibians. You can find worksheets, games, and fun videos online just by searching “axolotl activities for kids” or “axolotl children education. ”

Less genetic diversity means a species is much more susceptible to disease, pests, and other stressors. This means 1 strain of disease could wipe out the entire species. If you already have a pet axolotl, treat it well. If somebody asks about your pet, take the opportunity to fill them in on why they’re important and how they can help protect wild axolotls. If you come across anyone selling axolotls as pets in California, Maine, New Jersey, or Virginia, report them to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Make sure to choose a nonprofit organization that’s 501(c)(3) certified so you know 100% of the funds are going towards conservation. Axolotl Science Outreach, Earthwatch Institute, World Wildlife Fund, World Land Trust, and Caudata. org are all places where you can donate to protect axolotls and their habitat.

For instance, you might call the campaign “Axolotl Habitat Preservation” and explain that all proceeds will be going towards the Earthwatch Institute’s habitat protection program.

If you’re not sure about a particular candidate’s stance, send them a letter asking if they support the Endangered Species Act and plan to provide more funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Working with a conservation group might mean writing letters or making phone calls to city agencies or developers about preventing urban development around Xochimilco. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, you might offer to create a logo for their latest campaign. If you have writing or editing experience, you might write press releases or educational articles. If you’re a programmer, you might help them manage their website.

The kind of work you might be doing ranges from cleaning up wetlands where axolotls live, planting trees and vegetation to prevent contaminated runoff from nearby farms, installing wooden gates to separate invasive fish from axolotl populations, and tracking the axolotl population in certain areas. Xochimilco is located 40 minutes (by car) south of Mexico City, so be prepared for a drive if you choose to stay in Mexico City during your volunteer trip. The Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) in Xochimilco is a great place to ask about hands-on opportunities.

Asiatic carp and tilapia, 2 big predators of the axolotl, are often artificially introduced into habitats where axolotls live.

If you live in an area upland from the Xochimilco canals, this is especially important because gravity can carry toxic chemicals a long way via rain and sewer runoff. If you don’t want to buy natural cleaners, you can make your own using ingredients you probably already have. Some of the worst home cleaning and care products are: Microbeads (found in some face washes, scrubs, toothpaste, and abrasive cleaners) Wet wipes Aerosol cans Detergents containing phosphates Chlorine-based bleach

Check the number on the bottom of the containers to see exactly how you should recycle the plastic so you know it won’t end up in a landfill. Even if you live far away from axolotl’s natural habitat, little changes like this make a big difference because air, land, and water pollution can impact other places hundreds of miles away.