Wildlife is Everywhere
Wildlife is never very far from us, but do we look close enough to notice them or the signs that show us animals are all around? Use the Project WILD activity, “Wildlife is Everywhere?” to conduct a search and discover what wildlife is living near you. Look for things like chewed materials, bits of seeds or other food, spider webs, cocoons, and feces (a sure sign something has been there!)
Animals may not leave very obvious signs (sometimes they leave only scent). Make sure students use senses besides sight – listen for wildlife, sniff the air, etc.
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Arnosky, J. 1999. All About Owls. Scholastic.
Arnosky, J. 1995. I See Animals Hiding. Scholastic.
Arnosky, J. 2002. Watching Water Birds. National Geographic Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 2008. Wild Tracks!: A Guide to Nature's Footprints. Sterling.
Baker, K. 2001. Little Green. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Carle, E. 1999. Eric Carle’s Animals, Animals. Putnam Juvenile.
Cronin, D. 2003. Diary of a Worm. Joanna Cotler.
DK Publishing. 2007. Backyard Bugs. DK Publishing, Inc.
Fisher, A. 1986. When it Comes to Bugs. HarperCollins.
Fisher, A. 2001. You Don’t Look Like Your Mother. Economics Pr.
Florian, D. 2004. Mammalabilia. Voyager Books.
George, W.T. 1996. Box Turtle at Long Pond. Harper Collins.
Giogas, V. 2007. In My Backyard. Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Haas, J. 1994. Mowing. Greenwillow Books.
Hausman, G. 1995. How Chipmunk Got Tiny Feet: Native American Animal Origin Series. HarperCollins Publishers.
Horenstein, H. 1999. A is For…? A Photographer’s Alphabet of Animals. Gulliver Books.
James, S. 1996. Wild Woods. Tandem Library Books.
Jenkins, S. 1996. Big and Little. Haughton Mifflin.
Jordan, S. 2002. Frog Hunt. Roaring Brook Press.
Kelly, I. 2003. It's a Hummingbird's Life. Holiday House, Inc.
Lionni, L. 1974. Fish is Fish. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Mazer, A. 1991. The Salamander Room. Dragonfly Books.
Minor, W. 1993. Red Fox Running. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Nail, Jim. 1994. Whose Tracks Are These? A Clue Book of Familiar Forest Animals. The Court Wayne Press.
Posada, Mia. 2002. Ladybugs: Red, Fiery and Bright. Carolrhorda.
Prelutsky, J. 1997. The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Prelutsky, J. 2002. Scranimals. Greenwillow.
Prelutsky, J. 2004. If Not for the Cat. Greenwillow.
Robertson, K. 1986. Signs along the River: Learning to Read the Natural Landscape. Rinehart P.
Rockwell, A. 1992. Our Yard is Full of Birds. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishers.
Ruurs, M. 2007. In My Backyard. Tundra.
Ryder, J. 1989. Catching the Wind . Mulberry Books.
Ryder, J. 2000. Each Living Thing. Harcourt Children's Books.
Schoenherr, J. 1968. The Barn. Little Brown and Company.
Selsam, M.E. and J. Hunt. 1991. Keep Looking! Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Sill, C.P. 1997. About Birds. Peachtree Publishers.
Sill, C.P. 2000. About Mammals. Peachtree Publishers.
Sill, C. P. 2008. About Habitats: Wetlands. Peachtree Publishers.
Sill, C.P. 2004. About Amphibians. Peachtree Publishers.
Sill, C.P. 2005. About Fish. Peachtree Publishers.
Sill, C.P. 2003. About Reptiles. Peachtree Publishers.
Sill, C.P. 2003. About Insects. Peachtree Publishers.
Sill, C.P. 2006. About Arachnids. Peachtree Publishers.
Sill, C.P. 2008. About Rodents. Peachtree Publishers.
Taylor, H. 1996. Brother Wolf: A Seneca Tale. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Ward, L. 1993. A Walk in the Wild: Exploring a Wildlife Refuge. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.
Wiesmuller, D. 2003. In the Blink of an Eye. Walker & Company.
Wood, A. 2001. Birdsong. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Grades 3-5
Amato, C.A. 2002. Backyard Pets: Activities for Exploring Wildlife Close to Home. Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.
Arnold, C. 2003. Birds: Magnificent Flying Machines. Charlesbridge Publishing.
Arnosky, J. 1983. Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher. HarperCollins Publishers.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats. Aladin.
Arnosky, J. 2002. Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore Walking. HarperCollins.
Bair, D. and P. Wright. 1999. Deer Watching. Capstone Press.
Bair, D. and P. Wright. 1999. Eagle Watching. Capstone Press.
Bateman, R. 2005. Bateman's Guide to Backyard Birds. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.
Bernard, R. 2001. Insects. National Geographic Society.
Bishop, N. 2002. Backyard Detective: Critters Up Close. Scholastic, Inc.
Carroll, C. 1998. How Artists See Animals: Mammal, Bird, Fish, Reptile. Abbeyville Press.
Doolittle, B. and E. M. 2001. Reading the Wild. Greewich Workshop Press.
Green, J. 2002. In a Backyard. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Hausman, G. 1995. How Chipmunk Got Tiny Feet: Native American Animal Origin Series. HarperCollins Publishers.
Loates, G. and B. Kalman. 1988. Birds at My Feeder. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Miller, D. 2000. River of Life. Clarion Books.
Montgomery, R.G. 2001. The Living Wilderness. Caxton Press.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Murawski, D. 2004. Spiders and Their Webs. National Geographic Society.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Animal Architects. National Geographic Society.
National Geographic Society. 1998. Book of Mammals. National Geographic Society.
Norsgaard, E.J. 1990. Nature's Great Balancing Act: In Our Own Backyard. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Pine, J. 1993. Backyard Birds. Harper Collins.
Posada, Mia. 2002. Ladybugs: Red, Fiery and Bright. Carolhorda.
Prelutsky, J. 1997. The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Prelutsky, J. 2002. Scranimals. Greenwillow.
Priebe, M. 2000. Bald Eagle: Endangered No More. Mindfull Publishing.
Pringle, L.P. 1990. Saving Our Wildlife. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Pupeza, L.K. 2002. Wildlife Gardens. ABDO Publishing Company.
Rockwell, A. 2001. Bugs are Insects. Harper Collins Children’s Books.
Ross, M.E. 1997. Wildlife Watching with Charles Eastman. Lerner Publishing Group.
Russo, M. 1998. Watching Nature: A Beginner's Field Guide. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.
Shattil, W. 2000. On the Trail of Colorado Critters: Wildlife Watching for Kids. Westcliffe Publishers, Incorporated.
Shedd, W. 2002. Kids' Wildlife Book. Williamson Kids Can Series.
Squire, A.O. 1996. 101 Questions and Answers about Backyard Wildlife. Walker & Company.
Sterry, P. 2005. Nature Explorer. Running Press Book Publishers.
Swinburne, S. 2003. The Woods Scientist. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Tagholm, S. 2003. The Barn Owl. Kingfisher.
Wilkinson, T. 1999. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks: Wildlife Watcher's Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.
Grades 6-8
Crump, D.J. 1987. Wildlife: Making a Comeback. National Geographic Society.
Froman, N. 2001. What’s That Bug. Madison Press Book.
Jenkins, P. 1996. Falcons Nest on Skyscrapers. HarperTrophy.
Laubach, C & Laubach, R. 2002. Raptors: A Kid’s Guide to Birds of Prey. Storey Kids.
Patent, D. 2003. Slinky, Scaley, Slithering Snakes. Walker.
Prelutsky, J. 1997. The Beauty of the Beast: Poems from the Animal Kingdom. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Pringle, L. 2004. Snakes! Strange and Wonderful. Boyds Mills Press.
Tagholm, S. 2003. The Barn Owl. Kingfisher.
Grades 9-12
Bang. M. 1997. Common Ground: The Earth We Share. Blue Sky Press.
Bell, D. 1998. Political Ecology: Global and Local. Taylor & Francis, Inc.
Carson, R. 2002. Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Collard, S. 2000. Acting For Nature: What Young People Around the World Are Doing to Protect the Environment. Heyday Books.
Conrad, R. 1997. Places of Quiet Beauty: Parks, Preserves, and Environmentalism. University of Iowa Press.
Crump, M. 2002. Amphibians, Reptiles, and Their Conservation. Linnet Books.
Dinsmore, S.J. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Froman, N. 2001. What’s That Bug. Madison Press Book.
Harrison, G. and K. Harrison. 1987. America's Favorite Backyard Wildlife. Fireside.
La Tourrette, J. 1997. Watching Wildlife: The National Wildlife Federation Guide to Observing Animals in the Wild. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated.
Laubach, C & Laubach,R. 2002. Raptors: A Kid’s Guide to Birds of Prey. Storey Kids.
Mattison, C. 2006. Snake. DK Publishing
McClung, R.M. 1993. Lost Wild America: The Story of Our Extinct and Vanishing Wildlife. Shoe String Press, Incorporated.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Move Over Rover
Polar bears and the Artic. Monkeys and the jungle. Whales and the ocean. These are all characteristic animals found in different ecosystems. Animals are adapted to the conditions within the ecosystems that they live. Polar bears are supremely adapted to live in the Artic but would not do so well living in the desert. Likewise, an armadillo is at home in the arid regions of the Southwest but could not survive in the cold of the Northern plains. While many animals reside in their ecosystem during all seasons of the year, other animals may move between ecosystems to find the conditions that best suit them. Use Project WILD’s “Move Over Rover” to identify characteristic animals found in several ecosystems and to match those animals to the environment in which they live.
Enrichment Activity:
Have students explore a local ecosystem and the animals that live there.
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Amos, W.H. 1981. Life in Ponds and Streams. National Geographic Society.
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cefrey, H. 2003. Grasslands. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Costian, M. 2001. Life in a Tree: Focus, Habitat. Tandem Library.
Fleming, D. and D. Powers. 1996. Where Once There Was a Wood. Henry Holt and Company, Inc.
Fowler, A. 1999. Our Living Forests. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Fowler, A. 1996. Life in a Pond. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1997. Nature’s Green Umbrella. Harpercollins Childrens Books.
Guiberson, R.Z. and M. Lloyd. Cactus Hotel. Henry Holt and Co.
Hansen, A.S. and W. Fraccaro. Wild Animals. Publications International, Limited.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pfeffer, W. and R. Brickman. 1997. A Log's Life. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Pledger, M. and N. Palin. 2007. All About…Wild Animals. Silver Dolphin Books.
Ring, S. 2003. Ocean. Coughlan Publishing.
Zicot, E. and C. Harvard. 2005. Untamed: Animals in the Wild. Harry N Abrams, Inc.
Grades 3-5
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Chinery, M. 2003. How Animals Work (Wild Animal Planet Series). Anness Publishing, Ltd.
Farndon, J. 2008. 1000 Things You Should Know About Wild Animals. Miles Kelly Publishing.
Green, J. 1999. A Dead Log. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johansson, P. 2004. Temperate Forest: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into the Ocean. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a River. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Wetland. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into an Estuary. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Lake. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Morris, N. 1998. Forests. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Mostue, T. 1999. Wild about Animals. Duetsch, Andre.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. Ecosystem of a Milkweed Patch. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Penny, M. 2003. Life in a Rotten Log. Raintree.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon & Schuster.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Tagliaferro, L. 2006. Explore the Deciduous Forest. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 6-8
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Daniel, C. 2002. Ecosystems. Steck-Vaughn Green, J. 1999. A Dead Log. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johansson, P. 2004. Temperate Forest: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into the Ocean. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a River. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Wetland. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into an Estuary. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Lake. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Lane, B. and L. Buller. 2005. Ecology. DK Publishing, Inc.
Morris, N. 1998. Forests. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. Ecosystem of a Milkweed Patch. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Penny, M. 2003. Life in a Rotten Log. Raintree.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon & Schuster.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Tagliaferro, L. 2006. Explore the Deciduous Forest. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 9-12
Novacek, M. J. 2007. Terra : Our 100-Million-Year-Old Ecosystem--and the Threats That Now Put It at Risk. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. 2005. Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Our Human Planet : Summary for Decision-Makers. New York: Island P.
Stolzenburg, W. 2008. Where the Wild Things Were : Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators. Grand Rapids: Bloomsbury.
Walker, B., Salt,D., and Reid, W. 2006. Resilience Thinking : Sustaining Ecosystems and People in a Changing World. New York: Island P.
Polar bears and the Artic. Monkeys and the jungle. Whales and the ocean. These are all characteristic animals found in different ecosystems. Animals are adapted to the conditions within the ecosystems that they live. Polar bears are supremely adapted to live in the Artic but would not do so well living in the desert. Likewise, an armadillo is at home in the arid regions of the Southwest but could not survive in the cold of the Northern plains. While many animals reside in their ecosystem during all seasons of the year, other animals may move between ecosystems to find the conditions that best suit them. Use Project WILD’s “Move Over Rover” to identify characteristic animals found in several ecosystems and to match those animals to the environment in which they live.
Enrichment Activity:
Have students explore a local ecosystem and the animals that live there.
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Amos, W.H. 1981. Life in Ponds and Streams. National Geographic Society.
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cefrey, H. 2003. Grasslands. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Costian, M. 2001. Life in a Tree: Focus, Habitat. Tandem Library.
Fleming, D. and D. Powers. 1996. Where Once There Was a Wood. Henry Holt and Company, Inc.
Fowler, A. 1999. Our Living Forests. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Fowler, A. 1996. Life in a Pond. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1997. Nature’s Green Umbrella. Harpercollins Childrens Books.
Guiberson, R.Z. and M. Lloyd. Cactus Hotel. Henry Holt and Co.
Hansen, A.S. and W. Fraccaro. Wild Animals. Publications International, Limited.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pfeffer, W. and R. Brickman. 1997. A Log's Life. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Pledger, M. and N. Palin. 2007. All About…Wild Animals. Silver Dolphin Books.
Ring, S. 2003. Ocean. Coughlan Publishing.
Zicot, E. and C. Harvard. 2005. Untamed: Animals in the Wild. Harry N Abrams, Inc.
Grades 3-5
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Chinery, M. 2003. How Animals Work (Wild Animal Planet Series). Anness Publishing, Ltd.
Farndon, J. 2008. 1000 Things You Should Know About Wild Animals. Miles Kelly Publishing.
Green, J. 1999. A Dead Log. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johansson, P. 2004. Temperate Forest: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into the Ocean. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a River. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Wetland. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into an Estuary. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Lake. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Morris, N. 1998. Forests. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Mostue, T. 1999. Wild about Animals. Duetsch, Andre.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. Ecosystem of a Milkweed Patch. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Penny, M. 2003. Life in a Rotten Log. Raintree.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon & Schuster.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Tagliaferro, L. 2006. Explore the Deciduous Forest. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 6-8
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Daniel, C. 2002. Ecosystems. Steck-Vaughn Green, J. 1999. A Dead Log. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johansson, P. 2004. Temperate Forest: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into the Ocean. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a River. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Wetland. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into an Estuary. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Lake. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Lane, B. and L. Buller. 2005. Ecology. DK Publishing, Inc.
Morris, N. 1998. Forests. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. Ecosystem of a Milkweed Patch. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Penny, M. 2003. Life in a Rotten Log. Raintree.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon & Schuster.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Tagliaferro, L. 2006. Explore the Deciduous Forest. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 9-12
Novacek, M. J. 2007. Terra : Our 100-Million-Year-Old Ecosystem--and the Threats That Now Put It at Risk. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. 2005. Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Our Human Planet : Summary for Decision-Makers. New York: Island P.
Stolzenburg, W. 2008. Where the Wild Things Were : Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators. Grand Rapids: Bloomsbury.
Walker, B., Salt,D., and Reid, W. 2006. Resilience Thinking : Sustaining Ecosystems and People in a Changing World. New York: Island P.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Ecosystem Facelift
What is an ecosystem? Ecosystems are the complex interaction of all the living and non-living aspects of a particular area. The plants, animals, micro-organisms, water, nutrients, energy and air are all inter-dependent aspects of the ecosystem and form a balance that sustains itself. An ecosystem can be large, such as a mountain valley, or it can be as small as a tree. Ecosystems can become unbalanced when one of the aspects of the ecosystem is destroyed or disappears, such as when the water in a wetland is drained, or the animal predators disappear. Ecosystems need to be managed for the good of the entire ecosystem to ensure species biodiversity and the health of the ecosystem. Use Project WILD’s “Ecosystem Facelift” to explore the restoration of several ecosystems. Students will design their own restoration plan, deciding what organisms and non-living components they will reintroduce and how they will manage the ecosystem.
Enrichment Activity:
Have students contact a local conservation organization to ask about any current restoration projects in their area or to obtain information about any former local restoration projects.
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Amos, W.H. 1981. Life in Ponds and Streams. National Geographic Society.
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cefrey, H. 2003. Grasslands. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Costian, M. 2001. Life in a Tree: Focus, Habitat. Tandem Library.
Fleming, D. and D. Powers. 1996. Where Once There Was a Wood. Henry Holt and Company, Inc.
Fowler, A. 1999. Our Living Forests. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Fowler, A. 1996. Life in a Pond. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1997. Nature’s Green Umbrella. Harpercollins Childrens Books.
Guiberson, R.Z. and M. Lloyd. Cactus Hotel. Henry Holt and Co.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pfeffer, W. and R. Brickman. 1997. A Log's Life. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Ring, S. 2003. Ocean. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 3-5
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Green, J. 1999. A Dead Log. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johansson, P. 2004. Temperate Forest: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into the Ocean. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a River. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Wetland. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into an Estuary. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Lake. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Morris, N. 1998. Forests. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. Ecosystem of a Milkweed Patch. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Penny, M. 2003. Life in a Rotten Log. Raintree.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon & Schuster.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Tagliaferro, L. 2006. Explore the Deciduous Forest. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 6-8
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Daniel, C. 2002. Ecosystems. Steck-Vaughn
Green, J. 1999. A Dead Log. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johansson, P. 2004. Temperate Forest: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into the Ocean. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a River. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Wetland. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into an Estuary. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Lake. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Lane, B. and L. Buller. 2005. Ecology. DK Publishing, Inc.
Morris, N. 1998. Forests. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. Ecosystem of a Milkweed Patch. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Penny, M. 2003. Life in a Rotten Log. Raintree.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon & Schuster.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Tagliaferro, L. 2006. Explore the Deciduous Forest. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 9-12
Novacek, M. J. 2007. Terra : Our 100-Million-Year-Old Ecosystem--and the Threats That Now Put It at Risk. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. 2005. Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Our Human Planet : Summary for Decision-Makers. New York: Island P.
Stolzenburg, W. 2008. Where the Wild Things Were : Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators. Grand Rapids: Bloomsbury.
Walker, B., Salt,D., and Reid, W. 2006. Resilience Thinking : Sustaining Ecosystems and People in a Changing World. New York: Island P.
What is an ecosystem? Ecosystems are the complex interaction of all the living and non-living aspects of a particular area. The plants, animals, micro-organisms, water, nutrients, energy and air are all inter-dependent aspects of the ecosystem and form a balance that sustains itself. An ecosystem can be large, such as a mountain valley, or it can be as small as a tree. Ecosystems can become unbalanced when one of the aspects of the ecosystem is destroyed or disappears, such as when the water in a wetland is drained, or the animal predators disappear. Ecosystems need to be managed for the good of the entire ecosystem to ensure species biodiversity and the health of the ecosystem. Use Project WILD’s “Ecosystem Facelift” to explore the restoration of several ecosystems. Students will design their own restoration plan, deciding what organisms and non-living components they will reintroduce and how they will manage the ecosystem.
Enrichment Activity:
Have students contact a local conservation organization to ask about any current restoration projects in their area or to obtain information about any former local restoration projects.
Book List
Grades PreK-2
Amos, W.H. 1981. Life in Ponds and Streams. National Geographic Society.
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cefrey, H. 2003. Grasslands. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Costian, M. 2001. Life in a Tree: Focus, Habitat. Tandem Library.
Fleming, D. and D. Powers. 1996. Where Once There Was a Wood. Henry Holt and Company, Inc.
Fowler, A. 1999. Our Living Forests. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Fowler, A. 1996. Life in a Pond. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Gibbons, G. 1997. Nature’s Green Umbrella. Harpercollins Childrens Books.
Guiberson, R.Z. and M. Lloyd. Cactus Hotel. Henry Holt and Co.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Fallen Tree. Rosen Publishing Group.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of an Apple Tree. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Grassy Field. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. 2003. The Ecosystem of a Stream. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Pfeffer, W. and R. Brickman. 1997. A Log's Life. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Ring, S. 2003. Ocean. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 3-5
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Green, J. 1999. A Dead Log. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johansson, P. 2004. Temperate Forest: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into the Ocean. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a River. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Wetland. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into an Estuary. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Lake. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Morris, N. 1998. Forests. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. Ecosystem of a Milkweed Patch. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Penny, M. 2003. Life in a Rotten Log. Raintree.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon & Schuster.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Tagliaferro, L. 2006. Explore the Deciduous Forest. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 6-8
Brenner, B. and T. Leonard. 2004. One Small Place in a Tree. HarperCollins Childrens Books.
Cherry, L. 2002. A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History. Harcourt Children’s Books.
Daniel, C. 2002. Ecosystems. Steck-Vaughn
Green, J. 1999. A Dead Log. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johansson, P. 2004. Temperate Forest: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into the Ocean. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a River. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Wetland. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into an Estuary. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Lake. Lerner Publishing Group.
Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.
Kalman, B. 1997. What Is a Biome? Boston: Crabtree Company.
Lane, B. and L. Buller. 2005. Ecology. DK Publishing, Inc.
Morris, N. 1998. Forests. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Pascoe, E. and D. Kuhn. Ecosystem of a Milkweed Patch. Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Penny, M. 2003. Life in a Rotten Log. Raintree.
Pfeffer, W. 1997. A Log’s Life. Simon & Schuster.
Simon. S. 1973. A Tree on Your Street. Holiday House Inc.
Tagliaferro, L. 2006. Explore the Deciduous Forest. Coughlan Publishing.
Grades 9-12
Novacek, M. J. 2007. Terra : Our 100-Million-Year-Old Ecosystem--and the Threats That Now Put It at Risk. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. 2005. Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Our Human Planet : Summary for Decision-Makers. New York: Island P.
Stolzenburg, W. 2008. Where the Wild Things Were : Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators. Grand Rapids: Bloomsbury.
Walker, B., Salt,D., and Reid, W. 2006. Resilience Thinking : Sustaining Ecosystems and People in a Changing World. New York: Island P.
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