NATURE ACTIVITY
SPECIES SEE

This is a nature activity about species. Do you know what a species is? I'll explain it by giving you some examples.

There are many different kinds of birds. Each kind is called a species. There are blue bird, robbin, sparrow, and so on. Trees are the same. There is willow, birch, oak, and more. Each is a species. Animals too! There is mouse, rabbit, deer, and more. How about plants? Yes. There are grasses, clovers, roses, and more of these too. Each one is also a species.

Everything in the plant and animal world is its own species and has a name.

Here is how to do it. Pick out a short trail walk for yourself. I did say "short", didn't I? For example, once around your house and into the yard and back again is good. Or try this, walk around the edges of your property if it is fairly small, or walk around one half, if it is big. You should be able to take this walk in about ten minutes, no more, please. Did I mention it was a short walk? I think so.

Now, go out and do that part. Find your trail to walk on. Go slowly. Take your time. This is not a race, it's a slow, short, walk. Go ahead. I'll be here when you get back.

Back already? Did you enjoy your walk? I hope so. Go do it again. This time take your note pad and pencil or pen. On your pad write these two words: ANIMALS, PLANTS. While you are walking on your trail, make a mark under ANIMALS for every animal that you see. For example make a mark for every cat, dog, bird, mouse or any other animal that you see. Do the same thing for PLANTS. At the end, count up the total number of marks you made on your pad. This will tell you how many animals and plants you found. Ok, go ahead and walk your trail. I'll wait for you.

Good job. Did you like that? You can take a break. That's enough for today. Come back tomorrow and we will do some more. While you are resting, why don't you think up a name for your trail. It will be your own special name for your own special trail.

Back again? Are you rested? Lets go on the trail. Bring your note pad. Write ANIMALS on the top of a page. This time, as you walk, write down how many different kinds of species of animals you see. For example, you may see three house dogs, but that is only one species, because a house dog is a species all to itself.

Or you may see two house cats. Again, that is only one species. So on this walk you saw a total of two species. Ok, go out on the trail. Don't forget to look for birds and insects. It doesn't matter how many you find. One or two or more! You do not need to know their exact names. You can make up a name if you want to. Meet me back here when you are done.

Ready for another walk? This time write PLANTS on the top of a page. You know what to do. Get out on your trail and list every plant species you can find. For example, you may see five trees. If they are all a different kind of tree, you have seen five species of trees. Write them down. Or you may see three different kinds of flowers. Write them down too. At the end of your trail, count up the total number of plant species. You do not need to know their exact names. You can make up a name if you want to.

That's it for today. Tomorrow we will finish. How are you doing so far with this nature activity on species? It can be a little confusing until you get used to it. Here is a hint to help you understand. A house dog is a species. A wolf is a dog, but it is a different species. A fox is a dog, but it is also a different species. They are all species of dogs. It is the same with plants. Two white oak trees are the same species. A white oak tree and a birch tree are different species.

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