Backyard Safari (Adapted lesson of Project Learning Tree): Go on a safari to explore a nearby habitat while looking for signs of animal life!
Materials:
- Pen or pencil
- Nature journal
- Hand lens (optional)
Doing the Activity:
- In this activity, you are going to be going outside and exploring different habitats (natural home of a living organism, providing creatures with food, water, shelter and space) around your home, local park, or any outdoor space you have permission to explore.
- Take out your nature journal to make your own survey sheet on a blank page (see below for an example survey sheet)
- When you have found the habitat you want to explore, find a comfortable place to sit for 3 minutes and listen. Do you hear any animals or creatures around? What are they?
- After you have listened for a little while, start exploring the area with other senses. What signs of life can you find?
- Record your findings in your nature journal. When you are recording what you have found, consider the following;
- What animals did you observe?
- How many animals did you observe?
- What do these animals need to live?
- Where do these animals get water?
- Can you find any evidence of animals eating, or being eaten by something else?
- What kind of shelter is available to these creatures?
Complete the following information while you’re observing!
Date:
Weather:
Time:
| What animals or animal signs did you see? | Where did you see the animals or signs of animal life? | Observations:What was each animal doing? Where might they live? Etc. |
Contact education@vinsweb.org with questions or comments.