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If we follow the river as it flows from the city to the forest, we can better understand how the pollution it picks up on the way affects the health of the forest and the living creatures who call it their home. The water, air, and soil in the forest can become very unhealthy for the animals and plants. All parts of nature are very important for a healthy Earth.
Begin by understanding your forestVisit any forest to learn about these precious treasures. It might be a group of trees in your backyard, a cool dark forest in your local park, or a huge national forest preserved by our government to be a part of our lives forever.
As you first enter your forest, take a moment to pause.Look all around to see the variety of life in this home. Listen to the sounds of trees blowing in the breeze. Listen to the birds, bugs, and animals that live there. Take time to "Let the Forest Be With You."
Now let's take a tour through your forest.There is so much to see. This forest provides food, a home, and a playground for many of the Earth's precious species. You will discover that it can provide food, shelter, and fun for you, your friends, and your family. There are forests that are hundreds of feet tall like those in Northern California, and those that are only a few inches tall, like in the Arctic. Each forest will teach you something new!
Take a notebook and pencil, and go on a treasure hunt.List the treasures you find. 1 Upon entering the forest, lie down and look up. Next, write down what you see. Your teacher, parent, or friend can help. Above you is the forest canopy (covering or roof of the forest). Answer these questions: How many birds and what kind? How many bird nests, squirrels and squirrel nests, what color and size leaves? Do you see flowers, seeds and cones? 2 Next, get on your knees to look at the forest floor There's an entire community of life existing on this floor. Many of the species (types of living things) probably can't live anywhere else. Gently dig into the soil. Is it black, dry, wet, clay, or sandy? Is it covered with leaves, needles, moss, roots, nuts, berries, insects, and worms? Are the leaves decomposing (crumbling or decaying) and becoming soil? What are the plants on the forest floor? Does the forest canopy allow light to reach these plants? Write your answers down. 3 Now, stand up and look around. What do you see at eye level? Are there vines growing up the trees? What kind of bark is on the trees? Is it rough or smooth? Do you see tall bushes and new little trees growing upward? What helps them to grow? Do they receive enough water? Do animals eat the bark? Do the plants have enough light to grow tall? Are there dead trees? What lives in the dead trees? Is there moss on the trees? Do you see any animals? What is their water source? Is there a lake, pond, or creek? Make up your own questions and find answers.
Understand your forest's pollution problems.Forests are in trouble for many reasons. They're being cut down at a rate much faster than we can replace them. That means that many of the animals who need the forest to survive (live) will disappear. When pollution enters the forest, the balance of nature is upset. For example, if water and soil from a toxic waste site drain into the forest, what will happen to the fish in the water or the animals that drink the water? If the fish die, what happens to the animals that need the fish for food? If the insects that live in a forest die when a forest creek is polluted with pesticides, what happens to the birds who need insects for their food? When the soil is polluted, what happens to the worms who live there?
What can I do?You can help educate your parents and adult friends by taking them on a tour of your forest. Copy this "Follow Me to the Forest" page and take it with you. Point out all the important parts of the forest and the things you really love. Teach them how important forests are to the health of the planet! |
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Click here for the printable version!
Click here for the Spanish version!
