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How to Positively Affect Species and Their Habitat

One to two lessons
Students use the "How to Positively Effect Species and Their Habitats" (52k PDF document) activity sheet to learn more about seals, sea lions, and their habitats. Based on that research, students devise action plans for which they assume responsibility for contributing toward a healthy habitat.

Create Tools to Educate Others
Arranged in order of possible time commitment, shortest to longest
Lead a class discussion to brainstorm ways students can educate others. Use the list below to help students generate ideas. Once there are a number of ideas, decide which project can be completed within a designated time frame. The next step is to have students create a "plan of action". What are all the things that need to be done, in which order do they need to be done, who is going to do them, and what are the deadlines? How can students not only teach about the resource, but also impart stewardship values? Remind students to think about any safety issues and address these as a group.

Educational tool ideas:

• Develop a newsletter or newspaper to distribute to other students.



• Build an exhibit that is displayed for a Parents' Open House.



• Paint a mural, draw posters, or create a website that encourages Creek Stewardship.



• Interview a researcher about a creek restoration project. Share the answers.



• Organize a Coastal Stewardship Contest. Have students define stewardship through writing essays or creating art, poetry or music.



• Videotape your field trip and stewardship activities. Have the students narrate this video and develop a presentation for other students sharing what they have learned and accomplished.



• Create a mentoring program that enables your students to teach younger students about resources and their stewardship.

Implement a Community/School Project
Arrange in order of possible time commitment, shortest to longest
Instruct students as a homework assignment to find at least one local environmental issue that is being discussed among community members. Students may gain this information by looking through newspapers, talking to their parents, watching the local news, or listening to a public radio station. The next day in class, all local environmental issues should be discussed to some extent. Choose one project around which students may design a stewardship project. What are the possible stewardship activities that can be completed by students, and/or their parents and communities? Follow the ideas in the procedure above to create a "plan of action".

Community/School Project Ideas:

• Adopt-A-Seal programs with Marine Mammal Center



• Create a green school: investigate recycling and composting facilities or water conservation. Have students write a plan about how to make your school more environmentally friendly. Have them take action and implement some of their ideas. Discuss how a green school inevitably benefits marine mammals.



• Organize a Beach Clean-Up Day.

Participate in Volunteer Programs at Point Reyes National Seashore
2 hours, full day, or regular commitment on weekly/monthly basis
Students may participate in programs such as restoration, rehabilitation, or research projects. Consult with the Volunteer Coordinator or Education Specialist for the most recent options as projects can change according to time of year and staffing availability. One example of participating in a restoration project would be to remove exotic plants from natural areas. There is also a Harbor Seal and Elephant Seal Docent program for adults who wish to volunteer with their children on weekends. To participate in these types of programs at Point Reyes National Seashore call (415) 464-5139.

Support Stewardship Organizations and Be an Advocate for Your Beliefs
One lesson to lifelong commitment
Introduce students to the concept of advocacy. Have them research and represent the missions of local and national stewardship organizations. Examples include: the National Park Service, the Marine Mammal Center, the Humane Society, the Sierra Club, the National Parks and Conservation Association, the Audubon Society. Have students write letters to their local, state and national government officials regarding stewardship issues or have them submit articles to local newspapers. Encourage students to form educated opinions and to voice them.

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