We are a global art, environmental education, and conservation charity founded by artist and educator Jane Lee McCracken to share her passion for art and lifelong commitment to wildlife protection. Giving children and adults the chance to connect with local wildlife through drawing, we raise awareness of thousands of species worldwide. We partner with and support organisations that help keep wildlife in the wild, including Born Free. Our workshops, murals and exhibitions highlight the urgent need to protect wildlife for future generations.
Our impact
Our projects have reached communities in 24 countries across 5 continents. Over 8,000children have participated to raise awareness of 2000+species through their drawings. We hold exhibitions in museums and art galleries and present schools with murals featuring drawings by their children. We have donated funds to 14 conservation organisations to support their vital work.
Our Projects
Our projects give the gift of art, education and nature to urban and rural communities across the planet. Through our workshops children and adults learn about and connect with nature and the wildlife they draw, and through the exhibitions Jane curates and the murals she creates, young artists see their art proudly displayed in public. We believe education is essential to reversing the biodiversity crisis. Through art, we nurture compassion towards wildlife, and empower communities to protect Earth's precious ecosystems. If we care, we want to conserve.
Our Wild Neighbours campaign video, created by Jane and featuring drawings by Bronx children for our New York Wildlifeproject, was screened on the iconic Nasdaq Tower in Times Square during Climate Week NYC 2025.”
Do you remember drawing as kid?
Many of the children we work with have never drawn before. Our workshops encourage them to have fun with art and lose themselves as they draw, fostering pride and well-being.
From the iconic to the obscure our planet is rich with awe-spiring species, each beautiful in its own unique way, each playing a vital role in its ecosystem. Through the exquisite drawings of generations of artists explore and learn about magical wild animals from across the globe.
Drawing for the Planet is a 100% volunteer run non-profit
100% of your donations go directly support our global art and environmental education projects, helping communities connect with wildlife and learn how to protect it. We also donate a percentage of project funds topartner conservation organisations and provide opportunities for young people to volunteer in our workshops.
Meet the Founder
Jane Lee McCracken constructs intricate multi-layered Biro (ballpoint pen) drawings, sculptures, installations and designs products. Her work represents the beauty of life and its brutal realities, exploring the loss to both humans and animals caused by human destructiveness.
Over the last decade, she has raised funds for conservation organisations through her art and delivered drawing and environmental education workshops to thousands of people across the world. In 2019 she founded the Where Did All the Animals Go? project in partnership with Born Free. The project exhibition featuring 700 drawings by children from five continents is on permanent display at the Great North Museum: Hancock, UK. In 2021 she founded Drawing for the Planet. Explore Jane's art:
Jane's enthusiasm is infectious and her talent prodigious. Her love of wildlife and her ability to communicate that love to young artists, encouraging them to explore new subjects and new mediums, was there for all to see when I had the privilege of attending the 'Where did all the animals go?’ exhibition on the 22nd June. I am full of admiration for her work and for her passion to inspire the next generation to care about the natural world around us.
Will Travers OBE, Co-Founder Born Free
Born Free are thrilled to be partnered with the Where Did All The Animals Go? project. It is so exciting to have seen how engaged children across the globe have been, drawing and learning about both iconic animals, and lesser known endangered species. On every continent wildlife is coming under increasing pressure from habitat destruction, unsustainable exploitation of resources and human-wildlife conflict. This project inspires children to care for all our wild neighbours and understand their importance within the natural landscape, from the African lion to the giraffe weevil.
Charlie Baker, Education Officer Born Free
I feel strongly that Drawing for the Planet is a wonderful way to engage kids with wildlife, with tigers. These kids' dads [Orang asli children, Malaysia] protect tigers—what better way to engage them with tigers and conservation, and to engage the whole village.
Dr Vilma D'Rozario, Co-Director, Singapore Wildcat Action Group
We loved being part of Jane’s wonderful and powerful project! Jane’s use of art to honour these beautiful animals is nothing short of transformative. Not only are the animals clearly present in the magnificent drawings, but so are the awe and admiration and concern of the artists. I know that Where Did All The Animals Go? will continue to be a force for good.
Marinta Skupin, Curator of Education, Laguna Art Museum
Most noteworthy about Jane’s workshop is the sense of fellowship that it creates almost instantly. Beyond working towards a greater cause, the session offers a supportive setting in which to make art that is not so unlike the secure environments that Jane asks us to envision for our non-human friends.
Nate Bench, Art Eduction and School Programs Associate, Laguna Art Museum
Partnerships
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