References: Handouts: Worksheet Wildlife Management plan Natural Resource Crossword Puzzle Career Assessment Video:

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1 Unit: Natural Resource Science and Management Objectives: 1. Objective 1: Discuss the basics of natural resource science and management. a. Identify types of natural resources. b. Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable resources. c. Explain the difference between inexhaustible and exhaustible resources. d. Explain the concept of interdependent relationships. 2. Objective 2: Examine the relationship between natural resources and society, including conflict management. a. Define natural resource management. b. Identify and compare major natural resource management agencies and companies. c. Describe human demands on natural resources. d. Explain natural resource conservation. e. Provide examples of multiple uses of natural resources (e.g., recreation, mining, agriculture, forestry, etc.). f. Explore and describe societal issues related to natural resource management. 3. Objective 3: Identify career opportunities in natural resource science. a. Identify and describe the major areas of natural resource science. b. Identify career opportunities in natural resource science, and determine the education and training they entail. References: Handouts: Worksheet Wildlife Management plan Natural Resource Crossword Puzzle Career Assessment Video: Computer and video projection equipment: Projector Internet Assess for management plan and career activity. Equipment & Supplies: Pennies (about 10 per student) Red and Black Licorice Other Resources: Teacher Directions REVIEW or INTEREST APPROACH Content Outline and/or Procedures Observation and Hypothesis activity. 1. Give students an example of a phenomenon that can be observed in nature and then give them 2 possible hypothesis to explain what was observed. 1

2 Unit Activity Develop a management plan 2. Take students outside and have them make observations of their own. Give the students ideas if they are struggling. 3. Have students develop 2 hypothesis for their observation. Encourage students to develop one that is as practical as possible and then have them use their imagination for the other. (For example you notice that the north sides of the mountain have more trees and vegetation. One Hypothesis is that this side has less evaporation due to less sun exposure. The other could be that Fairies planted the north side of the mountains.) 4. Discuss some of the student s observations and hypothesis. Have fun with their explanations and class discussions and make sure to encourage the students and make sure that the students feel their explanations are valid. Students will develop a management plan for a specific wildlife species. - This activity is designed for a single student to work on and develop on their own. Us the instructions in the Wildlife Management Plan document. Slide 2-3 Have students give examples of the following. Resources found naturally in nature are called natural resources. Natural resources cannot be made by man, but they can be helped and conserved by man. Natural resources are essential for life and to improve the quality of life. Fossil Fuels Minerals Soil Sunlight Water Atmosphere Wildlife Samples If possible bring in samples of any of the following natural resources for the students to see and handle. Slide 4 Fossil Fuels took millions of years to accumulate. Remains of decomposing plants and animals. They contain a large amount of energy, but produce pollution as a byproduct of burning. Three types: Petroleum liquid form used for gasoline and oil. Natural gas gas used for heating, cooking, and transportation. Coal solid form used for heating, electricity, and other industrial uses. Slide 5 Minerals are inorganic substance found in nature. Minerals are most often mined from the earth. Uses: Building materials (concrete, drywall, etc.) Jewelry Coins Tools and equipment Many others uses 2

3 Slide 6 SOIL Top layer of the earth s crust Used for plant growth Cycles decomposing nutrients Poor soil conservation can lead to erosion. Slide 7 SUNLIGHT Provides all energy to the planet. Plants use sunlight energy to produce food. Humans use sunlight energy for heat and for solar energy. Slide 8-9 WATER Required by all living organisms Three states: solid, liquid, gas Water cycle: Precipitation rain, snow Ground water aquifers and underground streams Surface water Evaporation Slide 10 WILDLIFE Wildlife are plants and animals found in the wild. Wildlife is used for food, recreation, and ecological resources. Wildlife can also be domesticated. Domesticated controlling plants and animals for human use. Discuss with students types of wild life that have been domesticated. (Elk, Bison, etc) Slide 11 ATMOSPHERE The atmosphere is the area above the earth s surface The air is a mixture of gases, vapor, and particulates. Wind and air currents are the movement of air. Weather is the condition of the atmosphere. Humidity Temperature Movement of air Pressure Slide 12 Renewable resources can be replaced after they are used. They can be renewed and used again, but this can take many years. Examples of renewable resources: Water Lumber Soil Have students discuss examples on renewable resources they see and use on a daily bases. Slide 13 Non-renewable resources can not be replaced or they take too long to regenerate. Examples: Fossil Fuels Minerals 3

4 Discuss with students how these reserves are being used up and what alternatives can we use. Slide 14 INEXHAUSTIBLE RESOURCES Resources that continually renew. These resources do not run out. Example: Sunlight Wind Water Geothermal Slide 15 EXHAUSTIBLE RESOURCES These resources are available in limit quantities. These can be completely used up. Some are replaceable such as lumber Some can not be replaced such as fossil fuels Activity To help students understand how resource can be used up based on supply and demand you can bring in a bag of black licorice and a bag of red licorice. Give the students pennies they can use to buy the pieces of candy in an auction format. Discuss how some resources are not as valuable as others and how we assign different values based on the current need and supply of exhaustible resources. Slide 16 Natural resources depend on each other and this is known as interdependence. All living things depend on each other. For example humans and animals depend on plants to complete the carbon cycle. We consume food and oxygen from plants and then re lease CO2 and water that the plants use for photosynthesis. Slide There are two types of management strategies: Preservation and Conservation Preservation requires the manager to keep the habitat in its current state and it is off limits for any outside interventions. Conservation is a management strategy which maintains the habitat for as many uses as possible. Most agencies and companies use this management strategy to maintain natural resource habitats. This strategy is also known as multiple use. Slides Natural Resource Agencies and Companies - This would be a great time to invite someone from one of these agencies or companies to come speak with the students about natural resource careers. Slide 21 Humans use natural resources to meet their three basic needs. Humans need food, clothing, and shelter. There are two ways humans use natural resources to meet these needs: 4

5 Consumptive uses The supply is reduced every time it is used. Such as logging. When a tree is cut down it reduces the total available. Non-consumptive Is the use of the natural resource with out reducing the supply. For example bird watching or using trails for running are forms of non-consumable natural resources. Slide Multiple uses is were management maximizes the resources on public lands for all possible users. For example this allows for both the rancher and hunter to use the same land for their needs. The rancher can use the available forage and the hunter can hunt the wildlife found on the same land. This same area can be used for wildlife watching and recreation. Discuss with students the role each of the following play in multiple use of the land: - Ranchers - PP slide 23 - Wildlife Viewers PP slide 24 - Hunters PP slide 25 - Hikers PP slide 26 Slide 27 Natural resources are directly impacted by human populations. Population is the number of people in a set area. Demography is the study of human populations. Demographics is data collected from the study of populations and can be used to help manage natural resources in a given area. Slide 28 Humans cannot avoid having an impact on natural resources. Society generally live in one of two types of settings: Urban dense population center and housing close together Large City Rural low population density, housing far apart Agricultural Land Land use planning is were government land managers determine the best use of the land for residential, commercial, agriculture, and wildlife. Slide 29 Levels of education Less than high school did not complete high school. Can still be successful, but opportunities may be limited. High School These individuals have completed high school, most jobs are lower level. Post-secondary These individuals have completed some type of training after high school. Often these are 2 year degrees or certifications. These individuals can find jobs ranging from entry level positions too high paying technical positions. Baccalaureate These degrees require four years of education on average and are earned by studying at a college or university. These degrees prepare students for jobs in technical fields and management. 5

6 Graduate These degrees require education beyond a baccalaureate degree. These individuals are trained for highly technical and specialized careers. Slide 30 Many natural resource positions require either years of experience or advanced degrees. Most require at least a high school diploma. Your choice is then either to start at low level position and use experience for promotions or to earn a degree to start at a higher level. For examples see government GS Scale. Slide 31 Most careers are federal and state jobs. Most private jobs are with mines and law firms. Natural resource career activity. Career Activity Have student complete the career assessment in class. After completing the career assessment have student to the natural resource career trek activity to explore possible careers in natural resources. REVIEW/SUMMARY Natural Resource Crossword Puzzle EVALUATION NR Management and Science Test 6