"What we have in the Rocky Mountains is rare- an almost complete representation of all native large mammals that roamed the great hills before Europeans arrived. From the perspective of the great mountain ecosystems of the world, it’s the last of the last." - Dr. Paul Paquet, Scientist with the World Wildlife Fund-
Overview...
Y2Y has a vision that focuses on connecting and protecting habitat between Yellowstone and the Yukon where humans and nature can coexist, and thrive. They have created a website that looks at raising awareness around habitats that are in danger. They believe in harmonizing the relationship between people and nature to ensure that our resources and animals habitats remain intact.
You have all had a chance to take a look through their website and now it’s time to look a little deeper into what is there, what is happening, and what should be done.
“The Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) region is divided into 11 Priority Areas for conservation action. These areas are based on ground-breaking research on the continental status of grizzly bear populations and the connections between these populations. Each area functions either as a core habitat or as linkage zones that connect one core to another. Y2Y focuses its efforts on the areas that will help advance the Yellowstone to Yukon vision the most.” – www.y2y.net -
Finding our Voices...
Each of you will be placed into a small group that will be focusing on one of these priority areas. You will be working together to complete the following tasks. As we dig into the issues around Y2Y you will also be given access to a blog page where you and your partner(s) will be responsible to post your completed tasks. (Please note that you will also be having specific science lessons that will support you in completing these tasks below.)
PART A – Hunting and Gathering
Task #1 – Why is your PRIORITY AREA valued? (trees, forests & ecosystems)
Task #2 – Using GIS software, what Natural Resources are found in your PRIORITY AREA? (plants, animals, minerals, etc.)
Task #3 – What makes your REGION unique? What makes your PRIORITY AREA unique?
Task #4 - What native trees/plants/animals are in your area? Identify characteristics of at least 4 of them (1 coniferous, 1 deciduous, 2 of choice).
Task #5 – Where do you have old growth and new growth trees in your region? using the elevation layer in GIS explain how you think the topography affects the trees growth?
Task #6 – What human use/impact does your region have? Do those actions enhance or threaten your regions forest ecosystems? Explain.
Task #7 – Share 2 issues that are happening in your region right now?
PART B – Pulling It All Together
In your group create a Land Use Plan that explains what your group would propose for your PRIORITY AREA. Pull together the information you have been collecting on your Blog and create an argument around how your area should be used, and why.
Include the following:
- why your area is valued
- natural resources found there
- images of the native species located in your area (plants, trees, animals)
- share about the topography
- what do you think would be the best situation for your area?
- facts to support your claim
- anything else you find relevant to your cause
Project Choices That… SHARE YOUR VISION
Ø iMovie that shares your message
Ø Website that pulls it all together
Ø News Broadcast (Public Service Announcement)
Ø TEDTalk around your Priority Area
Ø Written Report (any format)
Ø CHOICE: If you want to do something that is not listed here come and speak to Mr. Neil or Mrs. Paxton around what you would like to do!
Y2Y has a vision that focuses on connecting and protecting habitat between Yellowstone and the Yukon where humans and nature can coexist, and thrive. They have created a website that looks at raising awareness around habitats that are in danger. They believe in harmonizing the relationship between people and nature to ensure that our resources and animals habitats remain intact.
You have all had a chance to take a look through their website and now it’s time to look a little deeper into what is there, what is happening, and what should be done.
“The Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) region is divided into 11 Priority Areas for conservation action. These areas are based on ground-breaking research on the continental status of grizzly bear populations and the connections between these populations. Each area functions either as a core habitat or as linkage zones that connect one core to another. Y2Y focuses its efforts on the areas that will help advance the Yellowstone to Yukon vision the most.” – www.y2y.net -
Finding our Voices...
Each of you will be placed into a small group that will be focusing on one of these priority areas. You will be working together to complete the following tasks. As we dig into the issues around Y2Y you will also be given access to a blog page where you and your partner(s) will be responsible to post your completed tasks. (Please note that you will also be having specific science lessons that will support you in completing these tasks below.)
PART A – Hunting and Gathering
Task #1 – Why is your PRIORITY AREA valued? (trees, forests & ecosystems)
Task #2 – Using GIS software, what Natural Resources are found in your PRIORITY AREA? (plants, animals, minerals, etc.)
Task #3 – What makes your REGION unique? What makes your PRIORITY AREA unique?
Task #4 - What native trees/plants/animals are in your area? Identify characteristics of at least 4 of them (1 coniferous, 1 deciduous, 2 of choice).
Task #5 – Where do you have old growth and new growth trees in your region? using the elevation layer in GIS explain how you think the topography affects the trees growth?
Task #6 – What human use/impact does your region have? Do those actions enhance or threaten your regions forest ecosystems? Explain.
Task #7 – Share 2 issues that are happening in your region right now?
PART B – Pulling It All Together
In your group create a Land Use Plan that explains what your group would propose for your PRIORITY AREA. Pull together the information you have been collecting on your Blog and create an argument around how your area should be used, and why.
Include the following:
- why your area is valued
- natural resources found there
- images of the native species located in your area (plants, trees, animals)
- share about the topography
- what do you think would be the best situation for your area?
- facts to support your claim
- anything else you find relevant to your cause
Project Choices That… SHARE YOUR VISION
Ø iMovie that shares your message
Ø Website that pulls it all together
Ø News Broadcast (Public Service Announcement)
Ø TEDTalk around your Priority Area
Ø Written Report (any format)
Ø CHOICE: If you want to do something that is not listed here come and speak to Mr. Neil or Mrs. Paxton around what you would like to do!