The forthcoming platform with interactive advanced search will make the process of matching much easier.

In the meantime, as an ‘Early Adopter’, we need you to do a bit of your own research.  We (and the creatures) are mightily grateful.

1. We encourage you to choose an individual species, however you could also choose to Stand Beside a higher order taxon.  For example, you could champion the Ladybird Spider Eresus sandaliatus, its whole family Eresidae (velvet spiders), the entire class of Arachnida (spiders), or indeed the phylum Arthropoda (invertebrates with an exoskeleton).

_{*“taxon”: a taxonomic group of any rank, such as a species, family, class, order, phylum, or kingdom.} 

2. You can choose from any of the Five Kingdoms.  We think it best if you choose an animal, plant or fungus, ideally something that you could actually see, or even hold.

3. Alternatively, you can choose to Stand Beside a ‘Natural Entity’ such as a biome or habitat such as forest, water-meadow; a particular mountain or river; an entire watershed or bioregion or even the Web-of-Life or Gaia herself (all referred to as “beings”). Many cultures hold such entities as animate and sacred, and whatever your beliefs they certainly deserve our care and respect.

4. Soon you will be able to opt into We Stand Beside community discussions and activities for related beings and their habitats.

5. You may like to choose an organism, or indeed place, with no common name – because then you can name it!  You’ll need to do your own research, because it might be that although there is no common English name, local people might have one!

6. We want to support you to advocate, where appropriate, for ‘your’ being in various ways including representation at an Interspecies Assembly or any space where Nature needs a voice: council chambers, conferences, board rooms or protests.  In due course we’ll offer resources and training.

7. If you have a choice click here .

Undecided? Here are 2 options:

1. Pick directly from the IUCN RED List of threatened species (they also have a search function) or use the Endangered Species Search

2. Chat-GPT or similar AI or even good ole Google can be helpful e.g. try a prompt like “Please list all IUCN Red List snail species found in the UK”, or “…all snails species in Oxfordshire.”

And here’s some more suggestions –>

Consider a Being Who Is

Local: a ‘neighbour’ will mean more to you.  You can more easily join local conservation efforts, and you may even share some of its struggles! (e.g. pollution or flooding). Maybe go out and find something (or let it find you!)

Unsung: the charismatic tigers, whales and red squirrels have many champions already…

Unheard/ unseen: something quiet and small perhaps, hidden?  A worm? A liverwort? 

Unloved: the slimy, spiky, small, smelly, scaly, scary, stingy beings need our care too!

Loved: do you resonate- or empathise-with a particular being?  This could be because of an interaction you had in childhood, or a dream, or simply a feeling.  Cultural, family or spiritual connections?  Or maybe you have an affinity for a particular habitat like the sea cliffs.

Awesome and Wonderful:  what in nature makes you stop in your tracks? Have you observed an animal behaviour that’s made your jaw drop, or heard a bird song that’s left you in a state of wonder? Or a flower whose scent made you swoon?? Maybe there’s a special place where you feel truly calm?

Interesting: what do you find fascinating in or about nature? Maybe it’s the geometry of snail shells, or the hive mind of ants.  Or perhaps you are struck by examples of interspecies empathy, or intrigued by the medicinal properties of mushrooms?  

Familiar: do you already have extensive knowledge (or want to have), or work with a particular species?  This would suggest an obvious choice as you’d be able to advocate well, and share your knowledge, enthusiasm and love!

Happy seeking!