Bird sitting on a tree holding an insect in its mouth

Everything Is Connected: The Benefits of Native Bird, Insect, and Tree Species

Native species are essential to healthy ecosystems. These species have had years of evolution to adapt to weather, seasons, and other living things around them. Native birds and insects in particular keep our environments in balance. Take a look at the importance of native birds and insects in our natural environments and how we can introduce students to these concepts in tangible ways.

Red cardinal sitting on a fence

How to Introduce Students to Urban Birdwatching

Introduce kids to urban birdwatching and help them enjoy their immediate environments! Check out how to get started with urban birdwatching at your school, daycare, summer camp, or home, along with bird-themed activities that you can adapt for your classroom. 

Gypsy moth caterpillar

Most Unwanted: Invasive Insects in U.S. Forests

An invasive species is any kind of organism that is not native to an ecosystem and causes harm to the environment, economy and possibly even human health. Lymantria dispar, Asian longhorned beetles, emerald ash borers, and woolly adelgids are among the growing list of invasive insects that threaten U.S. forests and urban landscapes.

Holtville-High-School-students-cut-ribbon-open-nature-trail

See You on the Trail that Students Built!

With PLT GreenWorks! grants, students in Alabama, Indiana and Michigan took the lead to restore, design and build nature trails, learning about ecosystems and forest health.

STEM: Invasive Species

Engage students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as they learn about the impact invasive species have on ecosystems and biodiversity.

The Walking Fish: recommended reading for grades 6-8

The Walking Fish

Use this book with grades 6-8 to emphasize several Science and Engineering Practices outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards.