Lion Country Safari Conservation
(Designed for grades 9-12)
Purpose:
Recognize that catastrophic events; climate changes; human activity; and the introduction of invasive, non-native species may result in loss of biodiversity.
Program length:
30-45 minutes
Background:
The health of our planet is dependent upon biological diversity (biodiversity), which is the variety of life on Earth. Not only does biodiversity affect people on aesthetic, moral, spiritual, educational, economic, and recreational levels; it is also essential to maintain clean air and water, soil formation and stability, and microclimate control. After large-scale natural disasters, biodiversity helps to restore the environment. A number of other factors can affect biodiversity, including human population growth, habitat loss, invasive species, overuse of natural resources, and pollution. Conservation is the management of natural resources. At this high school level of study of conservation, students will learn about ways that humans affect wildlife and wild places, with an emphasis on how people can help to improve the environment by making informed decisions.
This program meets the following Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and is STEAM compliant:
SC.912.L.17.16: Discuss the large-scale environmental impacts resulting from human activity, including waste spills, oil spills, runoff, greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, and surface and groundwater pollution.
SC.912.L.17.8: Recognize the consequences of the losses of biodiversity due to catastrophic events, climate changes, human activity, and the introduction of invasive, non-native species.
SC.912.L.17.12: Discuss the political, social, and environmental consequences of sustainable use of land.
MAFS.K12.MP.4.1: Model with mathematics.
VA.912.C.2.2: Synthesize knowledge and skills learned from non-art content areas to support the processes of creation, interpretation, and analysis.
Supplemental Materials for Teachers:
Habitats 3 Supplemental Materials
Pre-Visit Activity:
Habitats 3 Activity 1
This activity is designed to introduce students to factors that can contribute to the loss of biodiversity.
Post-Visit Activity:
Habitats 3 Activity 2
Lead a discussion with the class by following these topic ideas. What other questions related to the environment can the students think of?