WIS181 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 02/26/1990 07:46 AM D1 351 Lines Agriculture Resources Management Environmental Conservation (90 days) This unit deals with the major concerns affecting our environment. Topics include career opportunities, conservation philosophy, wildlife management, water quality, air pollution, forestry, soil conservation, and energy conservation. Objectives To acquaint students with employment information and career opportunities in the environmental conservation industry To assist students in developing a responsible philosophy dealing with the environment To acquaint students with the need for wildlife management as it relates to benefits of society, population trends, habitats, food availability, and control methods To illustrate to students the relationship between groundwater quality and waste disposal To inform students about the consequences of air pollution and federal regulations To increase student understanding of the value of forests and the need for paper management To enhance student comprehension of soil formation, the effects of erosion, and approved conservation practices To emphasize to students the importance of energy conservation and the methods used to minimize waste products Competencies At the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to explain current employment information such as job descriptions, job availability, personal and educational requirements, working conditions, opportunity for advancement, and other factors relative to potential employment in the environmental conservation industry and relate it to their personal needs and aspirations; describe environmental factors that benefit or harm local wildlife; recognize the importance of plant life as a source of food for all animals; list specific food sources and habitats for local wildlife; understand rules and regulations for hunting and fishing; describe the causes and effects of acid rain in Wisconsin; identify the major air contaminants in Wisconsin and the problems associated with each; determine sources of air pollution in Wisconsin; identify and explain ways of controlling diseases and insects found in Wisconsin; determine when insect and disease damage has occurred in trees; understand soil origin, texture, color, structure, and its interrelationship with plants; take a soil sample and properly prepare it for analysis at a soil lab; identify factors that determine soil erosion; describe common soil conservation practices and appreciate their value; explain the effect of water pollution on fish populations; and identify energy hazards and explain how to avoid them. Subject Matter (Basic skills integration areas are shown in brackets following title.) Careers - Current and future employment needs - Job descriptions - Training requirements - Working conditions - Opportunities for advancement - Other factors Conservation philosophy [Science] - Conservation versus preservation - Increased stress on environment - Resource management - Renewable resources - Nonrenewable resources Wildlife management [Science] - Benefits to society - Values (economic and aesthetic) - Food webs and habitat - Population trends - Inventory control - Mammals, furbearers, birds, waterfowl - Disease and parasites Water quality [Science] - Our water supply - Dependence on water (modern lifestyle) - Water pollutants - Hydrologic cycle - Industrial and residential water consumption - Maintaining groundwater quality - Wisconsin is rich in water resources Air pollution [Science] - Effects on environment - Sources of pollution - Contaminants - Federal standards - Prevention methods Forestry [Science] - Classification and identification - Importance of trees - Production and management practices - Commercial uses of different species - Tree planting - Forestry programs - Forestry skills and techniques - Chainsaw safety - Disease and insect control Soil conservation [Science] - Process of soil formation - Soil properties - Soil survey maps - Land use capabilities - Fertilizer types and application - Soil erosion and its effect on the environment - Soil conservation practices - Importance of organic matter Energy conservation [Science] - Energy facts and figures - Energy alternatives Solar Wind Fuels Water Heat exchanges Nuclear - Conserving farm energy - Energy-savings tips - R-values of insulation Motivational Activities Take a field trips to: - a farm to view erosion- and pollution-control practices; - a game farm, fish hatchery, or wildlife preserve; - polluted lakes or streams; - a sewerage-treatment plant or garbage disposal facility; - a lumber yard to see different grades and types of lumber; - a pulpwood or water board plant. Invite the following resource people to give class presentations: - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources representative - Soil Conservation Service representative - game manager - Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service representative - Environmental Protection Agency representative - county extension forester Post bulletin board displays about plant and animal species. Prepare a exhibit displaying the natural enemies of plants and animals. View videotapes, films, and slides on unit-related topics. Learning Activities Participate in a Supervised Agricultural Experience program. Study the history of Wisconsin deer harvest. Create posters or charts that describe a food chain. Determine how much water is used in your home per day. Examine a sample of lake water under a microscope. Take a water sample from your home and have it tested at a laboratory. Dissolve a piece of limestone with an acid rain solution. Examine used filters from an air conditioning unit or a heating duct. Collect and display labels that describe air-quality hazards from aerosol spray containers. Demonstrate how to plant a tree. Demonstrate the safe use of a chain saw. Demonstrate how to select and mark trees for cutting. Identify tree species in a local forest. Develop a hiking trail through the school forest, including signs to identify tree species. Take soil samples and send them to a laboratory for analysis; share findings with the class. Locate area farms on a soil survey map. Demonstrate how to weather-strip and caulk doors and windows. Instructional Materials Textbooks and References Basic Field Techniques in Wildlife Management. Columbus, OH: Ohio Agricultural Education Curriculum Materials Service, 1975. Conservation Farming by Harold A. Hughes. Moline, IL: John Deere Company, 1980. Available from Agri-Farm Publications, Inc. Environmental Conservation by Raymond Frederick Dasmann. 5th ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1984. Available from National Farm Book Company. Forestry Manual for Vocational Agricultural Instructors from the Wisconsin Association of Vocational Agricultural Instructors. Bulletin 7001. Madison, WI: Department of Public Instruction, 1976. A Guide to Study of Environment Pollution by William A. Andrews, Donna K. Moore, and Alex LeRoy. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1972. Our Natural Resources by Harry B. Kircher, Donald L. Wallace, and Dorothy Gore. 5th ed. Danville, IL: Interstate, 1982. Available from National Farm Book Company. Soil and Water Conservation for Productivity and Environmental Protection by Frederick R. Troeh et al. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1980. Available from National Farm Book Company. Tree Identification. Columbus, OH: Ohio Agricultural Education Curriculum Materials Services, 1975. Bulletins and Pamphlets The following are available from the Cooperative Extension Service. Chain Saw Safety Tips. A9NXTO74. Controlling Runoff and Erosion from Land Development Projects: Some Institutional Tools. G3132. Introduction to Conservation Tillage. A3001. Nitrate, Groundwater and Livestock Health. G3217. Pesticides in Groundwater: How They Get there; What Happens to Them; How to Keep Them Out. G3213. Wisconsin's Ground Water: An Invaluable Resource. G2651. The following is available from Successful Farming magazine. Conservation Tillage Guide The following are available from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Journal of Freshwater Project Learning Tree Project Wild Save Wisconsin's Water Sediment, Soil Conservation Service. 325. Water Quality Management Wildlife, People and the Land. 621. Periodicals American Forests Wisconsin Natural Resources Computer Software The following are available from Midwest Agribusiness Services, Inc. Agri-Quiz: Forestry. Apple. Agri-Quiz: Wildlife Conservation. Apple. On-line Computer Networks The following are available from the Ag Ed Network, AgriData Resources, Inc. Tillage and Conservation. HS172. Tillage Choices. HS173. Films, Videotapes, and Slides The following are available from the Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction. Conservation Tillage Equipment: Getting the Most for Your Money. 11343 (VHS videotape, color, 16 minutes). University of Wisconsin, Department of Agricultural Journalism, 1986. Runoff - Land Use and Water Quality. 01765 (16mm film, color, 22 minutes). University of Wisconsin, Department of Agricultural Journalism, 1978. Warming Warnings. 11776 (VHS videotape, color, 52 minutes). Media Guild, 1985. The Wisconsin Forest. 00452 (16mm film, color, 28 minutes) or 11585 (VHS videotape, color, 28 minutes). University of Wisconsin, Department of Agricultural Journalism, 1976. The following are available from the Ohio Agricultural Education Curriculum Materials Service. Chain Saw Maintenance and Safety. 302X (41 transparency masters). 1981. Soil and Its Properties. 5008S (64 slides with script). 1971. The following is available from Vocational Agriculture Services. Soil Erosion - The Silent Enemy of the Soil. F723A (44-frame filmstrip with cassette). 1982. The following are available from Vocational Media Associates. Careers in Conservation. 07885-93 (Two parts, sound filmstrip with program guide). Soil: The Growth Medium. 30194-93 (Four parts, sound filmstrip with program guide and reproducible masters).