Benefits of a School Nature Area
A nature study area facilitates learning about:
Life's diversity
1. plant types
2. worms
3. spiders
4. many insect types
5. fish
6. frogs
7. reptiles
8. birds
9. mammals
Plant life cycles
1. Annual
2. Perennial with a resting stage
3. Deciduous shrubs and trees
4. Evergreen shrubs and trees
Animal life cycles
1. Metamorphosis by insects and amphibians
2. Nesting and parental care by birds and squirrels
Specific adaptations of plants and animals
1. drought tolerance
2. shade or sun adaptations
3. specific pollinators: adaptations of both plant and the animal pollinator
5. Selection of specific host plants by butterflies
6. Plant seed dispersal: animals vs. wind
Needs of wildlife
1. food
2. water
3. nest sites
4. cover from predators and weather
Stewardship of natural resources
1. Respect for other forms of life
Life's diversity
1. plant types
2. worms
3. spiders
4. many insect types
5. fish
6. frogs
7. reptiles
8. birds
9. mammals
Plant life cycles
1. Annual
2. Perennial with a resting stage
3. Deciduous shrubs and trees
4. Evergreen shrubs and trees
Animal life cycles
1. Metamorphosis by insects and amphibians
2. Nesting and parental care by birds and squirrels
Specific adaptations of plants and animals
1. drought tolerance
2. shade or sun adaptations
3. specific pollinators: adaptations of both plant and the animal pollinator
- wind
- moths
- butterflies
- hummingbirds
- bees
5. Selection of specific host plants by butterflies
6. Plant seed dispersal: animals vs. wind
Needs of wildlife
1. food
2. water
3. nest sites
4. cover from predators and weather
Stewardship of natural resources
1. Respect for other forms of life
- as unique and interesting entities
- as valuable agents in the ecological balance
- nutrient cycles
- soil requirements
- ecological role of decomposers and earthworms