Justice for Wildlife

Wildlife Hero

For Foster City, California seventh-grader Hallie Cohen, the plight of imperiled wildlife holds a special place in her heart. “I feel that I must do my part to be part of the solution and preserve our wildlife and their habitats for our future," she said.

Last month, Hallie turned her words into action. As part of her class Tzedakah research project on non-profit organizations, she sung the praises of wildlife and those who protect it. "Tzedakah means justice in Hebrew,” Hallie explained, “and Defenders of Wildlife means justice for those animals who need it most."

As part of the project, Hallie and her classmates raised a pool of funds for several of the organizations that the students researched, including more than $1,500 for Defenders programs. "Defenders of wildlife really stood out for me,” said Hallie. “I found a group of people who were dedicated to protecting our wildlife and saving endangered species."