May 2001
Saturday, May 12, is International Migratory Bird Day. Join thousands of other people across North America as we celebrate the wonders of our feathered friends. In this issue of LAND, SEA, & AIR MAIL, you’ll find classroom activities, new Featured Teachers, links to other Web sites, and environmental tips to make your backyard a home for wildlife.
This month’s newsletter offers activities for K-3, 4-8 and 9-12 levels. K-3 students explore feathers and build a bird feeder, 4-8 students create bird journals and build bird nests, and 9-12 students experiment with flight using paper airplanes.
This month, we are pleased to feature two outstanding teachers from Florida.
Ms. Yvette Silva at Dante. B. Fascell Elementary in Miami who organized a Garden Club for students. Club members created a beautiful butterfly garden that the whole school uses. Visit the garden and learn more about the club.
Recycler extraordinaire John Doxey began a program at Lauderdale Lakes Middle School that inspired students and saved thousands of pounds of recyclable paper. Check out his story and students here.
Teaching about the environment is not always easy. Do you know a teacher who’s figured out a unique way to inspire students, communicate concepts, or encourage exploration? What about a school that has dedicated itself to a project? We want to hear about them. Use our easy entry form to nominate your favorite school or teacher.
Julie's Journal
Julie Scardina, SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Ambassador, takes a look at the champions of migration - Arctic terns, gray whales, and monarch butterflies. Find out the latest information on these animals and ways to help keep these animals healthy for years to come.Conservation Partners: National Science Teachers Association
This organization’s 53,000 plus members seek to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA has an extensive awards program: 15 categories for teachers and three for students. Check it out and put your name in!
From youngsters to the young-at-heart, thousands of people across the country participate in International Migratory Bird Day. Here are a few Web sites to see what all the activity is about.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Web page tells the history, explains the importance of this year’s shade-grown coffee theme, and suggests activities to help celebrate the day. Education materials are available at their online store. The American Birding Association also has information. This Web page has an events registry listing activities around the country. Also register your event here! Partners in Flight began sponsoring International Migratory Bird Day nine years ago. The organization’s partners currently include 16 federal agencies, 40 nongovernment organizations, over 60 state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies, numerous universities, and the forest industry. The Audubon Society also has information about the benefits of shade-grown coffee to bird species. Make your school’s playground into an inviting habitat for birds and other animals? Check out the Schoolyard Habitat Web site by the National Wildlife Federation.
Carry the spirit of International Migratory Bird Day into the summer and fall. There are many ways you can help birds while they’re here for the summer. Here are some tips, or get creative and do your own.
|
COMING
NEXT MONTH
|
 One mighty migrator is the humpback whale (Megaptera novaengliae). Some members of the northern Pacific population winter around Hawaii and spend summer off the coast of Alaska. |
SeaWorld/Busch
Gardens Animal Information Database
http://www.seaworld.org/
/ http://www.buschgardens.org/
©2003 Busch Entertainment Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.