Teach your kids about nature and wildlife conservation.

“Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius.” ~ E. O. Wilson

Wildlife

Wildlife refers to undomesticated animal species, all animals that evolve or exist in the wild. Wildlife is animals that have not been domesticated by humans. There are distinct types of wildlife in deserts, forests, rainforests, plains, grasslands, and other regions, including the most populated urban areas. Another definition says, Naturally occurring plants, animals, and their species that are not cultivated / domesticated/trained are collectively referred to as wildlife. While we are talking of wildlife, this august, learning about wildlife and especially endangered animals is a really great way for kids to learn empathy and show concern for the world around them. Why August? well, because August is the month of many wildlife-related days like – 

August 10 – World Lion Day
August 12 – World Elephant Day
August 13 – International Wolf Day
August 15 – National Honey Bee Day
August 19 – World Orangutan Day
August 26 – World African Wild Dog Day
August 30 – International Whale Shark Day

So take your kids, and students along and teach and show them how wildlife is important and why we need to show concern for endangered species. 

Endangered species

A species considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Britannica says – Endangered species, is any species that is at risk of extinction because of a sudden rapid decrease in its population or a loss of its critical habitat. Global warming, pollution, and unsustainable hunting all have resulted in habitat loss and thus endangered animals. A loss of habitat is a sign that the ecosystem is falling apart. This habitat fall can happen naturally and also due to human activity.  Habitat of the native organisms is getting reduced due to infrastructural developments, housing and industries expansion, etc. Such development in jungle and agricultural areas can also endanger species. Destruction of habitats is one reason many animals become endangered. 

To teach kids about endangered species we can have various activities. We just need to be aware and make our kids aware of practicing them.

Here are a few doable activities for teaching kids about endangered animals-

• Visit a museum or national park/ zoo to support the wildlife economy and contribute to conservation activities.

Many wildlife conservation centers have information on endangered animals and species. Museums have a lot of information on endangered animals. 

• Visit an animal shelter or recovery center.
• Read a book related to wildlife and endangered animals.
• Make a habitat model to display and explain the habitat.
• Play games related to endangered animals.

Habitat matching games, Native environments of endangered species, protection of animal habitats, and Conservation efforts this all information that can be shared by way of games. 

You can even design a scrabble of endangered animals. Enjoy the challenge of unscrambling each endangered animal name and see how many you recognize.
Quizzes can also be a good way to gain information on endangered animals. It’s fun to test your knowledge of various food that animals eat, and also their unique dating rituals and mating ways. 

• Make masks and enact. 

This can be a fun way to know the endangered animals and more about their life and habitat. 

• Use art, and crafts like origami to teach.

Use Origami to Teach Children About Endangered Animals. Origami allows students to think, interpret, and engage with the learning material. One option is to use local animals that are listed as threatened or endangered for the lesson and making of origami. Some chosen threatened animals for these models could be the African wild dog, Karner blue butterfly, and trumpeter swan.

• Teach and promote a sustainable lifestyle
• Take kids in nature and be touched and captivated by nature.
• Make posters and distribute them in the neighborhood
• Reduce demand for illegal wildlife parts and products by not purchasing products made from these items

By providing hands-on education, along with helping children with habitat information and protection, and volunteering with organizations that help protect animals, our kids can learn more about many endangered species! Awareness is the first step in making a difference while learning about endangered animal species. So this august get along with your kids and learn more about animals and their conservation. Celebrate the specific days and share as much information as you can on that particular day and endangered animals. 

To sum up, This is my conscious lifestyle post to spread more awareness about sustainable living, and join me for more such ways and tips and become part of my Conscious and sustainable living journey. Keep visiting my blog to make yourself eco-friendly, aware of conscious and sustainable choices and be more concerned for our environment, and alter your lifestyle.

Being Eco-Friendly is not a choice, make it a habit.

To add on, read and listen to my Green talks series and check out interviews with Eco-conscious people who are trying their bit towards conscious and sustainable living practices. There is so much to learn and explore from all of them I had interacted with, do listen and drop in your views in the comments. Check here to know more about all the Eco-Friendly dates