The world’s biodiversity is in crisis, and action is needed now to reverse the daily decline of countless species. Canada’s accredited zoos and aquariums are joining a global effort in 2015 to raise awareness about biodiversity and what we humans can do to preserve it – and ourselves.

An initiative of The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the Biodiversity is US campaign directly supports and contributes to the objectives of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020: educating the public about the need to safeguard biodiversity in order to sustain a healthy planet, and what each of us can do every day to protect and use it sustainably.

Conservation education being a main pillar of CAZA/AZAC’s accreditation program, Canada’s accredited zoos and aquariums are ideally placed to reach millions of visitors each year with important insights into the need to preserve our planet’s biodiversity.

A powerful interactive app to help deliver this education is now available for iOS and Android users in several languages, and it’s free. Use the QR code to download it, or go to your smartphone marketplace and search for “Biodiversity is US.” Learn about 400 animal species, find out how you can help keep the planet healthy every day, challenge your friends to educational games and quizzes, and share your newfound knowledge with friends through Facebook.

Watch the video below to learn more about this exciting new tool!