Happy Earth Day from The Elephant Sanctuary!
Honoring Earth Day with Elephants in Mind
Each year, more than 1 billion people in over 190 countries come together to take action for our planet on Earth Day—the largest civic-focused day of environmental engagement in the world.
From climate change to habitat loss and pollution, wild animal populations face mounting threats. Protecting and sustaining the global environment—for elephants, for humans, and for all living beings—is at the heart of The Elephant Sanctuary’s mission.
Why Elephants Matter
Elephants are known as “keystone species”—animals that play a critical role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems.
In Africa, forest elephants dig deep into dry earth with their tusks to find hidden water sources, creating watering holes that support countless other species. In the dense forests of Asia, elephants open up the canopy by feeding on vegetation, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor and fostering biodiversity.
Through their everyday behaviors, elephants reshape their environments, helping other wildlife thrive.
...And So Do We
Humans are also keystone species. In fact, we are the planet’s ultimate ecosystem engineers. With that power comes responsibility—to protect, to restore, and to ensure that the environment can support future generations.
At The Sanctuary, sustainability isn’t just a talking point—it’s a daily commitment.
We’re proud to share that in 2024, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee:
- Diverted 98% of waste from landfills
- Composted 854,167 pounds of organic material
- Recycled 56,950 pounds, including:
- Cardboard: 5,380 lbs
- Glass: 820 lbs
- Steel: 49,260 lbs
- Plastics: 565 lbs
- Paper: 680 lbs
These achievements reflect years of effort by our dedicated Sustainability Committee and staff members across departments.
From harnessing solar power and multi-thousand-gallon rainwater catchment systems to heating barns with radiant flooring fueled by collected water, from using eco-friendly chainsaw lubricant for browse collection to replacing single-use plastics with plastic-free cleaning tablets and prioritizing sustainable purchasing—we are constantly seeking innovative ways to reduce our environmental footprint and lead by example in stewardship.
Earth Day is every day at The Sanctuary!
Whether you're joining a community cleanup, planting native trees, reusing instead of replacing, or supporting sustainability through your purchases—you’re part of the solution.
Be Part of the Sanctuary’s Spring 2025 Campaign
Your support fuels this mission. By donating, you help protect elephants, conserve habitats, and support the practices that safeguard our shared planet.
Together, let’s follow the elephants’ lead—and leave the world a little better than we found it.
Thank you for celebrating Earth Day with The Elephant Sanctuary!