Plants
- What are the common plants growing in your area? For help identifying
species, you can consult an on-line field guide.
- Are the plants affected at all by human or animal activity? How? Is the
effect positive or negative?
- Are there non-native species of plants that humans have brought to
your community? Are these plants helping or harming your localenvironment?
- Learn more about the impact of non-native plant species. Get
information on invasive species in your community.
- Are there any rare, threatened, or endangered plant species living
in your area?
- Are plants used as medicines? If so, which ones?
Animals
- What are the common animals found in your neighborhood? Make
separate lists for birds, reptiles, insects, amphibians, mammals,and fish. For help identifying species, you can consult an on-line
field guide.
- How do the animals and humans in your community interact? Is the
interaction positive or negative? In what way?
- Do you have animals living with you at home? What kinds? Are they pets
or are they involved in a family business (farming)?
- Are there any rare, threatened, or endangered animal species living
in your community?
- Is there a high or low diversity of animal species in your area?
- Do you have a humane society, shelter, wildlife rehabilitation
site, or other animal welfare organization in your area? How does itoperate?
- What do you like most about living in your community?
- What do you like least?
- What, in your opinion, are the top 5 problems for the people in your
community?
- Do any of these problems concern the relationship between humans and
the plants, animals, and environment in your community?
- What are your biggest hopes for your community?
- Are there any groups of people in your community who have a difficult
time living? What are some of the reasons for these difficulties?
- What examples can you find in your community of people helping
people? These can be very small-scale (one person helping a neighbor,for example) or involve larger organizations.
Resources
There are several reasons for hope, some of which are
listed below:
(Online only)
Lessons for Hope
Dr. Jane Goodall has been known for her pioneering
research with chimpanzees. Now, in order to save them - and the quality oflife on our planet for people, animals, and the environment - she travels the
world 300 days a year, spreading the message of hope. Her book, Reason forHope, is a testament to human generosity in the face of environmental
degradation. Her new work, Lessons for Hope, translates her message into apractical guide for teachers and students of all ages.
Environmental
Education Resources
Provides access to education literature and
resources - lessons, journals, organizations, conferences and more.
Environmental Storyteller With deep laughter, magical
visions, intensity, warmth, mischief and love, this storyteller hasenchanted tens of thousands of listeners with Earth Mother Stories - Tales
of Earth Stewardship&Stories of Human Fellowship - stories for
children, for teens and young adults, for families, and for adultaudiences.
