Tonight's meeting was devoted to earning the Endangered Species Badge.As the girls arrived, they were given some time to work on their collections/hobbies posters from last week, then we started with our Horseshoe, the Promise, and an active game (Minion Tag) led by the Active Living Patrol for the week.
We started the meeting off with a discussion about the terms rare, endangered, extirpated and extinct, identifying different endangered species, why species become endangered and how Guides can help wildlife. The girls were able to share information they had learned at school, through their personal interests in different animals, and through Earth Rangers.
Rare - A species that is likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed. (i.e. Wood Bison, Grey Fox, Hooded Warbler, Wild Hyacinth, Hairy Prairie Clover)
Endangered - A species is so small that it is facing imminent extirpation or extinction. (i.e. Whooping Crane, Beluga Whale, Northern Spotted Owl, Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, Pitcher's Thistle)
Extirpated - A species that is no longer found in the wild in Canada, but can still be found elsewhere. (i.e. Greater Prairie Chicken, Black Footed Ferret, Spring Blue Eyed Mary)
Extinct - A species that no longer exists. (i.e. Great Auk, Labrador Duck, Passenger Pigeon)
Why Plants & Animals May Become Endangered
- Destruction of habitats and/or food supplies - such as clear-cut logging, construction, dams
- Environmental contamination - such as pollution, chemicals, pesticide use, oil spills
- Overharvesting and excessive trade - such as overfishing, clear-cut logging
- Climate Change - climatic conditions make a species' habitat no longer suitable
- Disease
- Invasive Species
- Don't disturb animals or collect plants in the wild - it may increase their vulnerability to predators and interfere with their feeding and reproduction
- Use non-toxic products to eliminate pests in your garden - harmful pesticides can eventually affect other animals, including endangered species
- Create a wildlife habitat in your backyard, for example bird feeders, drip pools, nesting boxes, butterfly garden
- Read and learn how human actions can affect wildlife, and how people can help protect endangered species
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - consume less and buy from companies that are involved in protecting the environment
Next we moved on to an Active Quiz (the corners of the room are labeled as A, B, C and D, and girls run to the corner they think is the right answer). This quiz is an updated version of one originally created by the Canadian Wildlife Service:
1. Why do Monarch Butterflies fly south for the winter?
A. To go to Disney World; B. To escape the cold; C. Changing wind patterns
2. Which bird has been saved from extinction in Canada (so far)?
A. Daffy Duck; B. The Passenger Pigeon; C. The Peregrine Falcon
3. In which province can the Vancouver Island Marmot be found?
A. British Columbia; B. Vancouver Island; C. Alberta
4. What is the biggest threat to Canadian wildlife?
A. Cars; B. Loss of habitat; C. Heavy metal music
5. How many species of wildlife are currently known to be at risk in Canada?
A. 1,581; B. 37; C. 676
6. How many animals are left if a species is extinct?
A. Less than 50 in the world; B. None in Canada; C. None at all
7. What is the Nooksack Dace?
A. A Fish; B. A famous West Coast hiking trail; C. A river from the ice age
8. The Pitcher's Thistle is the official flower of:
A. The Great Lakes; B. Major League baseball; C. Scotland
9. Why are wetlands important?
A. Swimming and boating; B. Hydroelectricity; C. Their biodiversity
10. On which ocean is the Harlequin Duck still plentiful?
A. Atlantic; B. Pacific; C. Arctic
11. What does extirpated mean?
A. Gone from the Canadian wild; B. Upset; C. Found in Canada only in summer
12. Which of the following form part of an ecosystem?
A. Animals; B. Plants; C. Rocks; D. All of the above
Afterwards we played the Habitat Game. In this game, we started out with a square of newspaper per girl. At a signal, the girls had to start moving around the room in the manner specified (i.e. skipping, hopping, walking backwards, like a monkey, like an elephant). When 'Stop' was called, the girls had to find a home on one of the habitats (squares of newspaper) with their whole hand or foot on the paper. Between each round, a square of newspaper was removed, until all of the girls were trying to find space on a single square. The game ended with a short discussion of how this represented animals becoming endangered through loss of habitat, and that without access to adequate food, water, and space, animals cannot survive.
Next, using the resources provided (posters, maps and books), each girl made a poster about an endangered species that interested them. We shared the posters with each other and located the home of each species on a world map.
The meeting ended with reminders for next week and Taps.
