The lesson highlights the importance of grizzly bear conservation while centering California Native American perspectives, including insights from the Gabrieleno/Tongva tribe, to deepen understanding of Indigenous relationships with the land and wildlife stewardship. In this lesson, students will investigate the ecological role of grizzly bears and how human activity has affected their habitats and survival.
Students learn about the California condor’s unique adaptations and ecological role. They explore how the Yurok Tribe is leading efforts to reintroduce the condor to its ancestral lands. Activities include group research on threats to condors, the creation of educational campaigns, and reflections on how traditional knowledge and science work together in conservation.
Focuses on the ecological role of redwood forests in supporting biodiversity and combating climate change. Students study different redwood features (e.g., height, root systems) and analyze their importance to the broader ecosystem. Groups create actionable conservation strategies and educate others through posters or brochures.
Students investigate the unique adaptations that help redwood trees survive environmental challenges such as fire and drought. Each group researches a specific redwood characteristic (e.g., bark, sprouting roots) and connects it to the tree’s overall resilience. Students develop conservation plans and visual presentations to advocate for the protection of redwood forests.
Students learn about light pollution and its effects on wildlife, ecosystems, and cultural traditions. They investigate real-world solutions, including the WISDOM program, which protects night skies in the Mojave Desert.
