Lessons on Wildlife-Friendly Agriculture

In California, our human population continues to grow. That means we are continually adding new houses, shopping malls, roads, factories, and more. Our state is also a major agricultural center, with farms and ranches growing the foods we eat and materials to make the clothes we wear.

Much of the state's wildlife habitat has been lost as more people come to California; in fact, more than 90 percent of our original wetlands are gone. While the situation sounds gloomy, some farmers and ranchers are doing their part for wildlife. Several new lessons for kindergarten through high school will help you teach about wildlife-friendly agriculture, a creative form of conservation that's helping wildlife in our state and elsewhere in the world. Click on the lessons below to print a copy of the classroom instructions:

• Greenheads and Grains - Create colorful waterfowl mosaics using dried grains. Teach how agriculture benefits not only humans but also wildlife by providing habitat, food, and shelter. (Grades 2-6)
• Wildlife-friendly Farming - Compare the wildlife values of two farms with different management practices. Evaluate habitats and determine the ability of animals to survive. Students tabulate and analyze information and participate in discussions. (Grades 3-8)
• Grazing Craze - Test the effects of grazing techniques on wildlife habitat through a fun role-playing activity. Students work in teams, collect and graph data, compare and contrast, and participate in group discussions. (Grades 3-8)
• Rice Arithmetic - Discover the wetland wildlife values that come from growing rice. Worksheet equations challenge students to interpret word problems, make math conversions (oz. to lbs., etc.), multiply, divide, and interpret results. (Grades 4-8)
• Crafty Corridors - Play Musical Habitat to teach the relationship between habitat and survival. Discussion identifies causes of habitat loss and methods for restoration. Part 2 has students land planning, creating maps and legends, calculating capacity, and making presentations. (Grades 2-9)
• Working Together for Wildlife - Investigate government programs that help farmers develop wildlife habitat. Students perform internet and library research, conduct interviews, write reports, prepare posters, and make class presentations. (Grades 7-12)
• Painting with Soil - Collect and use various soil types as the medium to paint landscapes or other compositions. As part of this activity, students learn geological terms and concepts and the relationship between soils and other elements of an ecosystem. (All Grades)