Express your inner artist and raise awareness on World Elephant Day, August 12, for these intelligent and beautiful animals. Elephants are experiencing the worst ivory poaching crisis in history and need our help. It’s estimated that there were 1.2 million elephants in Africa in 1980. Now there are only about 430,000, with an estimated 20,000 elephants killed last year alone.
Join the herd and make a difference this World Elephant Day (August 12) by making an #Elegram. The Nature Conservancy’s #Elegram Project is collecting 20,000 handmade elephants that are being matched with $150,000 in donations for elephant conservation work in Africa.
It’s easy to help – just doodle, paint, sculpt (anything goes) an elephant, and upload a picture to the #Elegram gallery. Then be sure to ask friends and family to participate by sharing on social media with the #Elegram hashtag.
View the gallery for inspiration and see who else has posted elegrams, including musician Brett Dennen’s beautiful drawing of an elephant on his Martin LXM guitar.
About 20,000 little elephants will start their life’s journey this year – at a time when it’s never been tougher to be an elephant. That’s why we’re calling on elephant supporters like you to help us collect 20,000 images of elephants by World Elephant Day.
The Nature Conservancy is an official sponsor of World Elephant Day.
Need some bookish inspiration?
Check out these titles:
How to Cheer Up Dad
How to Cheer Up Dad
Little Jumbo just can’t understand why his dad is having such a bad day. It couldn’t be the raisins Little Jumbo spit out at the ceiling or the bath he refused to take–after all, Little Jumbo’s dad knew he hated raisins and had already taken a bath that week! Luckily, Little Jumbo is such a thoughtful elephant that he decides to turn his dad’s bad day around with some of his–ahem, his dad’s–favorite things.
Why you’ll like it: A sweet story about cheering up dad!
How to craft: Create an elephant card!
Using this guide from Cindy DeRosier, we created an elephant card.
My Friend is Sad (An Elephant and Piggie Book)
It’s Mo Time!
Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.
Gerald and Piggie are best friends.
In My Friend is Sad, elephant Gerald is down in the dumps. Piggie is determined to cheer him up by dressing as a cowboy, a clown, and even a robot! But what does it take to make a sad elephant happy? The answer will make even pessimistic elephants smile.
Why you’ll like it: It’s Mo Willems.
Oh, a real reason. Elephant and Piggie are adorable, are sometimes are not just for children.
How to craft: Create your own card (see above) or celebrate ALL of the Elephant and PIggie books with a party.
*I* am in a Book!
Elmer (Elmer Books)
Elmer the elephant is bright-colored patchwork all over. No wonder the other elephants laugh at him! If he were ordinary elephant color, the others might stop laughing. That would make Elmer feel better, wouldn’t it? The surprising conclusion of David McKee’s comical fable is a celebration of individuality and the power of laughter.
Why you’ll like it: This book remonds one to stand out and be your own person!
How to craft: Make your own Elmer!
Using this template from Teachers.net, my volunteer created a very special Elmer! You can make your own patchwork Elmer or create your own design.
Don’t forget to share your photos!
It’s easy to help – just doodle, paint, sculpt (anything goes) an elephant, and upload a picture to the #Elegram gallery. Then be sure to ask friends and family to participate by sharing on social media with the #Elegram hashtag.
What a great program! I think elephants are one of the most beautiful creatures on earth, and I am so happy that Nature Conservancy has this program!
I didn’t know that August 12th was World Elephant Day! Now that I know, I will be celebrating! And I will be sharing those books with my Family!
How cute is this! I didn’t know about there being a day for elephants, but we all love the majestic creatures. I know my kids would have a blast celebrating with these books.
This is such a great cause. We love the elephants and want to help them stick around!
Oh my #Elegrams! How adorable! Also, great cause. I didn’t realize there was a World Elephant Day. I’d love to participate 🙂
What a great cause! I really love all the fun elephant crafts that you came up with. It’s so creative!
A wonderful program! I haven’t read a Mo Willems’ book I didn’t like. Thanks for all of the craft and book ideas.
Such cute books, I didn’t know there was Elephant day. So awesome.
this is such an awesome cause and i love the elephant. how cute.
Elmer is one of my all time favorite books. I look forward to each one of my kiddos Pre-K year so we can make an Elmer craft. I’m on my 5th preschooler- and everytime the bigger siblings end up joining us for the reading and crafting! I’ll have to pull it out and do it again for Elephant day!
I did not know elephants had a day! We will be crafting away making cute elephant things. This is such a great cause
How cute. I love children’s books and when they teach something all the better
My mother really loves elephants. I hope one day I can see them in their natural habitat.
That would be really cool! They seem so majestic!
That elephant card is just too adorable. I’ll have to look for How to Cheer Up Dad!
It’s a cute one!
What a great way to draw attention to this issue while showing our creativity. I hope this reaches a lot of people!
I can truly say that I enjoyed this post. Creative thinking to bring a smile to the children I love it. You gave me an Idea for making grow ups smile. since sometimes grown ups forget to play and laugh out loud.