Define environmental literacy in your own words.
Watch these short videos, and then answer question 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://naaee.org/eepro/
1. After watching the short videos listed above, describe/define environmental literacy in your own words. How do you interpret what it encompasses? How is it taught? Why is it important?
Now I want you to explore a bit of the natural history of our region.
2. Using high-quality/scientific resources (such as the IDNR, Wildflower.org, the Field Museum, etc.) research 3 plants that are native to the northeastern Illinois region.
Describe what the plants look like, their general lifecycle (including if they are biennial, perennial, or annual), and their preferred habitat range.
Describe the plant/animal interactions for each plant.
Does it serve as a host plant to any species? If so, how many?
Is it a keystone species? If so, why is it considered this?
Describe in your own words what you feel its ecological importance is within our local ecosystem.
3. Using high-quality/scientific resources (such as The Cornell Lab, Audubon, eBird, IUCN, etc), research 3 birds that are native to our region.
Describe the bird, including its range, general lifecycle, preferred habitats, and any migration patterns. Also include what the bird eats at the different stages of its lifecycle (newly hatched vs adult).
Describe how stable the population of each bird is. (Is it stable, declining, or increasing)
Describe in your own words what you feel its ecological importance is within our local ecosystem.
4. Reflect briefly on what you learned in this activity. Now that you are familiar with the terminology, do you feel you are environmentally literate, or is there room for improvement? Is nature/the environment a theme that comes up frequently in your life, or is this something that could merit more of your attention going forward?
I WILL BE SHOWING YOU EXAMPLES AS WELL OF OTHER STUDENTS…. NO PLAGARISM!
hey i will show you examples this is how I want it written. I don’t want an essay or anything like that
example 1:
2. Environmental literacy is having the knowledge to understand how we as humans relate to the environment and our role in protecting/preserving it. It encompasses many things. Overall, the goal is to promote a sense of responsibility in people that involves them being aware of environmental issues and the impact humans have (positive or negative) on the environment. It is taught by getting out of the classroom and experiencing nature firsthand. It is important because it brings awareness of the environment to people and that makes them more invested in it. A connection to nature is vital for protecting it.
A. Paper Birch Tree (Betula papyrifera)
Paper birch trees grow to be 50-75 feet tall. Their main identifying feature is their white bark. They also have multiple trunks. Their leaves are normally a bright green color but turn yellow in the fall.
They are perennial and will usually bloom in April.
Their habitat range is the Eastern part of the United States and the Midwest. They can also be found in Canada.
They serve as a host species to the bronze birch borer, which is a beetle. This beetle is extremely dangerous to birch trees since it can cause disease.
It is not considered a keystone species. Some birch species are, but paper birch trees are not.
They are important to our ecosystem because they attract songbirds and butterflies.
Betula papyrifera (Paper birch) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
B. Sawtooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus)
Sawtooth sunflowers look like mini sunflowers. They have bright yellow petals which have a jagged appearance. They have long green leaf stalks.
They are perennial and usually bloom in late August and the fall.
Their habitat range is the Eastern United States, Midwest, and parts of Canada.
They are hosts to the larvae of checkerspot butterflies.
They could be considered a keystone species because they are extremely important for native bees.
They are important to our ecosystem because they attract bees, butterflies, and birds. So, they are great for pollinators.
Helianthus grosseserratus (Sawtooth sunflower) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
C. Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
Despite being named “blue” smooth blue asters have petals with a lavender appearance. The petals surround a yellow disk.
They are perennial and bloom August-October.
Their habitat range is through most of North America and Canada.
They are not hosts to any other species.
They could be considered a keystone species because they attract native bees.
They are important for our ecosystem since they are great for native bees.
Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth blue aster) | Native Plants of North America (wildflower.org)
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)
They have deep blue feathers with some red and black on their wings. They leave the nest after only 9-10 days and will live an average of 5-6 years. They are found all over the United States and Central America. During migration, the ones in the Northern US will go to the Gulf of Mexico. They are commonly found in fields and woods. Hatchlings and adults eat the same food. They eat insects, spiders, seeds, and grain.
Their population is on the rise and they are even expanding their breeding habitats in the North.
They are important to our ecosystem since they keep the insect population under control. Additionally, they eat seeds which means they are important pollinators.
Blue Grosbeak | Audubon Field Guide
BLUE GROSBEAK LIFE EXPECTANCY (worldlifeexpectancy.com)
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)
They have black spots on their white underbellies. Their feathers are light brown and have a slight greenish hue. They leave the nest after about 7 days and live to be 11 years old on average. They are found in the Eastern half of the United States and the Midwest. Those living in the Eastern US will migrate to the Caribbean and the others will go to Central America. They usually remain hidden inside of forests. Hatchlings and adults eat the same food. They eat seeds, spiders, and insects.
Their population is stable.
They keep the insect and spider population under control. Since they eat seeds, they are good pollinators.
Ovenbird | Audubon Field Guide
OVENBIRD LIFE EXPECTANCY (worldlifeexpectancy.com)
Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
They have a blue hue on their feathers and the top of their head. They leave the nest after 60 days and live for about 15 years. They are found all over the United States, Central America, and Canada. The ones who live east of the Rocky Mountains migrate to the Caribbean and the others will stay where they are during winter. They are found in marshes, shorelines, swamps, and near rivers. All ages eat the same food. They eat frogs, salamanders, turtles, snakes, rodents, and small birds.
Their population is increasing.
They are carnivorous so they are important for keeping animal populations in check.
Great Blue Heron | Audubon Field Guide
GREAT BLUE HERON LIFE EXPECTANCY (worldlifeexpectancy.com)
I learned how important it is for the general population to have environmental literacy. I would say that I was already environmentally literate. The reason for this is I am a biology major with a concentration in environmental science, so this stuff was already well on my radar and is what I am passionate about. There is still always room for improvement though. I’m constantly seeking out ways to deepen my connection with nature even more. I believe that I have a responsibility now of trying to spread environmental literacy to other people.
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