Habitat is home, sweet home to everything from newts to narwhals. It means food, water, shelter, and space — all arranged just the way plants and animals like them. If one of these vital elements is removed or tampered with, then species are forced to find other homes. Humans need exactly the same basic elements to survive. However, while we can control what happens in our communities, wildlife can’t.
In this educational kit, we delve deeper into the concept of habitat than in past units. As always, the aim of the program is to help educators inspire youngsters to work for wildlife in their schoolyards, backyards, communities, and beyond. A variety of supervised hands-on projects will encourage respect for our natural heritage and also pass on conservation principles to serve Canada’s youth and wildlife well into the new millennium. Participation, not mere observation, is the key to the success of these projects.
This kit emphasizes how absolutely crucial healthy habitat is to the survival of wildlife, humans, and the whole planet. With budding conservationists on our side, there’s surely hope for habitat.
Home is where there’s Habitat
- Lesson Planning Guide
Through both large- and small-scale projects, students can offer wildlife and habitat a huge helping hand.
Unique Habitats Need Your Help
- Healthy Habitat, Healthy World
If a species is thriving, its habitat is probably healthy too. When a creature or plant starts to disappear, something must be wrong with its habitat
Discover Your Place in Your Habitat
- Where Do You Fit In?
You have a lot in common with beetles, bears, and brambles. All living things need healthy habitat to survive.
Assess Your Habitat’s Health
- Examine Your Ecozone
This activity will help you assess your ecozone’s general vitality and then prescribe “treatments” to cure ill health. - Microhabitat Projects
With a little planning, physically and mentally challenged students can help bring habitat back to health. - Aquatic Habitat Projects
Creating a mini-wetland in your schoolyard is surprisingly simple. It may be your key to attracting a host of wet and wild creatures. - Macrohabitat Projects
You can help bats in many ways. - Turn Grey Zones into Green Zones
More than likely, there’s a monoculture near you — even in your schoolyard or a nearby park. Think of ways to boost biodiversity there.
Habitat for the Millennium
- Help Habitat Hot Spots
Help avoid a habitat disaster by getting key lawmakers to take your concerns seriously. But first, do your homework.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- discover how humankind and habitats are linked, as well as some thought-provoking perspectives on habitat from wildlife’s point of view;
- grapple with the challenge of coexisting with wildlife, so that all living things can thrive;
- research and analyse the health of an ecological area, pinpoint problems, and envision solutions;
- create an action strategy, then enlist the support of parents, neighbours, and local businesses; and
- follow up and maintain projects that will contribute to a healthier planet and also instill a lasting sense of responsible stewardship.