Please note that activities below are listed in logical order. In some cases, concepts in later activities build on concepts learned in earlier activities. All Passengers Students learn how this happened and examine their own thoughts and feeling about extinction. Following a simple definition of biodiversity, students brainstorm some good reasons why biodiversity should be preserved. An Uncertain Future Map-reading activities teach students about the change in distribution of carnivores in North America.
Students then predict the probable and preferred futures for the Grizzly bear.
Turning Parks Into Islands Students review recent studies by conservation biologists that tell disquieting stories of what happens to parks that become isolated islands of habitat. They then view the effects of incremental development around a park, and then assume the role of park managers as they grapple with some developments proposed for the area. This activity begins by teaching students about the Y2Y concept, then has them represent various sectors of society in a role play that helps them better understand the complexities of the situation and the challenges that await the proponents of the Y2Y vision. To open the file, you must have a compression utility such as WinZip or StuffIt Expander. Go the Teacher Activity Guides page.