Introduction to Wildlife Reminder: student learning activities are at the end of this power point.

Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards Addressed! HS ‐ LS2 ‐ 6. Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem. [Clarification Statement: Examples of changes in ecosystem conditions could include modest biological or physical changes, such as moderate hunting or a seasonal flood; and extreme changes, such as volcanic eruption or sea level rise. HS ‐ LS2 ‐ 7. Evaluate the evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species’ chances to, survive and reproduce. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on: (1) distinguishing between group and individual behavior, (2) identifying evidence supporting the outcomes of group behavior, and (3) developing logical and reasonable arguments based on evidence. Examples of group behaviors could include flocking, schooling, herding, and cooperative behaviors such as hunting, migrating, and swarming.

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource Standards Addressed NRS a. Distinguish between the types of laws associated with natural resources systems. NRS b. Assess causes of extinction and describe how those causes related to loss of biodiversity.

Bell Work/Learning Objectives Define endangerment and extinction. Describe how wildlife becomes endangered. List examples of endangered species. Explain how wildlife species are managed. Describe the endangered Species Act.

Terms to Know Endangered Species Endangered Species Act Endangerment Extinct Rare Species Threatened Species

What can you do? Suppose your expensive, newly planted trees are being eaten by an endanagered species of birds. You can not kill the birds because that would be illegal. You have contacted the local fish and wildlife agency, but they are busy and can’t address your situation for at least two to three weeks. What can you do?

What can you do? Break into small groups, build a list of solutions. Share your solutions by writing them on the board for a class discussion.

What are endangerment & extinction? When a living thing can no longer adapt to the world it lives in it ceases to exist. This could be due to food shortages, pollution, destruction of habitat, hunting pressure or failure to reproduce. Extinct- a species that has disappeared from the Earth. Endangerment- any threat to wildlife species that would lead to its extinction.

What are endangerment & extinction? A threatened species is a species of wildlife with low population numbers and may become endangered. They are not in immediate danger of becoming extinct.

What are endangerment & extinction? A rare species is one that only exists in small numbers. If not managed well a rare species may become threatened. An endangered species is one that is in immediate danger of extinction.

How do animals become endangered or extinct? Reasons for endangerment & extinction can be grouped in several categories: –Pollution –Destruction of Habitat –Urban sprawl (the expanding of towns and cities) –Introduction of new exotic species-competition –Over exploitation –Failure to reproduce –Food Shortages

Native species are those plants and animals that are part of a specific geographic area and have been part of the biological landscape for a long period of time. Exotic species are introduced by humans.

What are exotic species and how do they effect our wildlife? Exotic species are harmful when they prey on natural species or compete for food. In some cases the exotic species brings with it new diseases the natural species cannot deal with. –For example most of the Desert Bighorn sheep in New Mexico died from diseases borne by domestic sheep.

What is exploitation? A species may become endangered due to the rate in which the species is being used. –Picture the unrestricted harvest of whales during the early and middle parts of the 20 th century. –This lead to restrictions and laws on whaling.

Exploitation!

What can we do? –Repopulation of native wildlife. –Reintroduction of wildlife into their natural habitat. –Plant additional food sources. –Construct safe environments where they can breed and give birth. –Manage the use of chemicals. –Move the animals to less polluted, less populated areas.

Why Save Endangered Species? A slow growing tree found in the ancient forest of the Pacific Northwest, once considered a trash tree, was recently identified as a promising treatment for ovarian and breast cancers. Digitalis is a drug derived from the purple foxglove, it’s used to treat heart disease.

Why Save Endangered Species? In the 1970’s genetic material from a wild corn species in Mexico was used to stop a leaf fungus that had previously wiped out 15% of the U.S. corn crop.

Why Save Endangered Species? Commercial and recreational salmon fishing in the Pacific Northwest provides 60,000 jobs and $1 billion dollars annually and is the center of Pacific Northwest Native American culture. This industry is in trouble as salmon decline due to habitat degration from dams, clear cutting, and overgrazing along streams.

What is the Endangered Species Act? A federal law established in 1966 that sets regulations regarding endangered and threatened wildlife species. Congress provides money to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help support the care and management of these species.

Facts about endangered species More than one and one half million species exist on the earth today. There are more than 1,000 animal species endangered worldwide.

Facts about endangered species In the U.S., 735 species of plants, 496 species of animals are listed as threatened or endangered. 266 of these listed species have recovery plans under development.

What are some “Endangered Species” organizations? National Audubon Society’s Endangered Species Campaign Endangered Species Program-U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services National Wildlife Federation World Conservation Monitoring Centre Wildlife Conservation Society

What Can Agriculture Do? Farmers and ranchers in New Mexico appreciate the environment and the wildlife found there. Wildlife is a renewable resource that is managed by most agriculturists. Water development and habitat improvement benefit not only domestic livestock but wildlife as well. Midwest farmers have returned thousands of acres of marginal farm land to water habitat of migrating waterfowl. FFA members in many chapters make wildlife issues a part of the POA activities.

The End

Student Learning Activities Sample tests are available in the Lesson Plan tab.

For this activity students research an endangered species, they find out facts about the animal. Their environment and what threatens them and why they are on the endangered species list. Students then put what they learned in to a foldable like the one in the picture.

Have students research an endangered species, then have them create a display of some kind bringing attention to their species. Students can create a poster, diagram, model or anything else that they think will represent their animal. Then have them present their project. On the following slide are some examples.

Inspire your students to be very creative with this project.

Name: ___________________________ Introduction to Wildlife worksheet For this worksheet; answer questions by ether filling in the blank or answering the questions in a complete sentence. 1.When a living thing can no longer ____________________ to the ___________________ it lives in it _________________________ to _________________. 2.This could be due to _____________________________, ________________________, ___________________________, ____________________________, or ________________________________________. 3.What does the term extinct mean? ________________________________________________________________________ 4.What does the term endangerment mean? ________________________________________________________________________ 5.What is a threatened species? ________________________________________________________________________ 6.A _______________________ species is one that only exist in ___________________ numbers. If not ___________________________ well a _________________ species many become ____________________________. An ____________________________ species is one that is in ______________________ danger of _____________________. 7.Reasons for endangerment & extinction can be grouped in several categories: 

8.Native species are those __________________ and ___________________ that are part of a specific ______________________ area and have been part of the _______________________ landscape for a ________________ period of time. _________________ species are ______________________ by ___________________. 9.When are exotic species harmful? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 10.How is one way that a species can become endangered, give an example? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 11.What can we do?

12.Why should we save endangered species? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 13.Facts about endangered species: 14.What are some “Endangered Species” organizations? 

15.What can agriculture do?

KEY Name: ___________________________ Introduction to Wildlife worksheet For this worksheet; answer questions by ether filling in the blank or answering the questions in a complete sentence. 1.When a living thing can no longer adapt to the world it lives in it ceases to exist. 2.This could be due to food shortages, pollution, destruction of habitat, hunting pressure, or failure to reproduce. 3.What does the term extinct mean? Extinct- a species that has disappeared from the Earth. 4.What does the term endangerment mean? Endangerment- any threat to wildlife species that would lead to its extinction. 5.What is a threatened species? A threatened species is a species of wildlife with low population numbers and may become endangered. They are not in immediate danger of becoming extinct. 6.A rare species is one that only exist in small numbers. If not managed well a rare species many become threatened. An endangered species is one that is in immediate danger of extinction. 7.Reasons for endangerment & extinction can be grouped in several categories:

 Pollution  Destruction of Habitat  Urban sprawl (the expanding of towns and cities)  Introduction of new exotic species-competition  Over exploitation  Failure to reproduce  Food shortages 8.Native species are those plants and animals that are part of a specific geographic area and have been part of the biological landscape for a long period of time. Exotic species are introduced by humans. 9.When are exotic species harmful? Exotic species are harmful whey they prey on natural species or compete for food. In some cases the exotic species brings with it new diseases the natural species cannot deal with. 10.How is one way that a species can become endangered, give an example? A species may become endangered due to the rate in which the species is being used. One example is the unrestricted harvest of whales during the early and middle parts of the 20 th century. This lead to restrictions and laws on whaling. 11.What can we do?

 Repopulation of native wildlife  Reintroduction of wildlife into their natural habitat.  Plant additional food sources.  Construct safe environments where they can breed and give birth.  Manage the use of chemicals  Move the animals to less polluted, less populated areas. 12.Why should we save endangered species? -A slow growing tree found in the ancient forest of the Pacific Northwest, once considered a trash tree, was recently identified as a promising treatment for ovarian and breast cancers. -Digitals is a drug derived form purple foxglove, it’s used to treat heart disease. -In the 1970’s genetic material from wild corn species in Mexico was used to stop a leaf fungus that had previously wiped out 15% of the U.S. corn crop. -Commercial and recreational salmon fishing in the Pacific Northwest provides 60,000 jobs and $1 billion annually and is the center of Pacific Northwest Native American culture.

This industry is in trouble as salmon decline due to habitat deration from dams, clear cutting, and overgrazing along streams. 13.Facts about endangered species: More than one and one half million species exist on the earth today. There are more than 1,000 animal species endangered worldwide. In the U.S., 735 species of plants, 496 species of animals are listed as threatened or endangered. 266 of these listed species have recovery plans under development. 14.What are some “Endangered Species” organizations?  National Audubon Society’s Endangered Species Campaign  Endangered Species Program-U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services  National Wildlife Federation  World Conservation Monitoring Center  Wildlife Conservation Society

15.What can agriculture do? Farmers and ranchers in New Mexico appreciate the environment and the wildlife found there. Wildlife is a renewable resource that is managed by most agriculturists. Water development and habitat improvement benefit not only domestic livestock but wildlife as well. Midwest farmers have returned thousands of acres of marginal farm land to water habitat of migrating waterfowl. FFA members in many chapters make wildlife issues a part of the POA activates.