“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” --Rachel Carson, 1954
The second full week of October is not only Earth Science Week—it is also National Wildlife Refuge Week! During this time, you are encouraged to consider the legacy of Rachel Carson, an early leader in the environmental conservation movement, and the resource management activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
The following activity is aligned with the National Science Education Standards and offers cross-curricular opportunities to integrate science and English. You may want to set aside some extra time for reading and research. You may also want to visit a national fish hatchery or national wildlife refuge to make the most of this learning opportunity.
- Conservation in Action: Guarding Our Wildlife Resources Brochure and Rachel Carson Fact Sheet (find at www.earthsciweek.org/fish-and-wildlife)
- Computer with presentation program (such as PowerPoint)
- Poster-making materials
- Video camera (optional)
- Web site creation software (optional)
Discuss with others in your class:
- What is environmental protection? How important is it to you?
- What experiences have you had in the outdoors, such as hiking, fishing and camping?
- How would you describe the state of our environment? Is it not protected enough from pollution or too protected? What is your evidence?
- Why is protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat important? Which species and ecosystems need the most protection?
- Are there any endangered species in your area? If so, what are they, and how are they protected?
Read the Rachel Carson Fact Sheet and maybe do your own research. Then work with a group of classmates to create a poster, write a skit, or make a presentation (possibly using PowerPoint or a similar program) about Rachel Carson. Consider:
- Who was Carson? What do we know about her childhood, education, career, and achievements?
- What is Carson’s most famous work? What was it about?
- Why is Carson an important figure in the conservation world? What has she done to set the stage for future conservation?
- What does the Carson quotation at the top of this page mean to you? How does this quote relate to wildlife conservation?