Each year, Geography Awareness Week focuses attention on a significant geographic issue or theme. The National Geographic Society urges teachers across disciplines to weave this theme into their curricula throughout the school year.
Habitats are environments where particular plant and animal species live.
Ecosystems are communities of plants, animals, and microorganisms and the physical environments with which they interact. An ecosystem such as a deciduous forest supports many habitats, from the treetops where migratory birds perch to the soil where rodents burrow. As people modify land, they often displace or destroy the habitats of the creatures that live on it. The wildlife refuges of the United States are sanctuaries of federal land set aside to preserve habitats for wildlife. There are refuges in every state, and many are close to major urban centers.