COMPLETE TASK DISCOVERING GOD’S GIFT OF NATURE …to their kinds, the livestock according to their...

DISCOVERING GOD’S GIFT OF NATURE

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Go on a wildlife safari. Choose one of the following types of ecosystems to visit. Spend time quietly observing what lives in that area. List or photograph the different wild species you spot. Classify and organize each as a mammal, insect, reptile, bird or amphibian.

• Pond

• Seashore

• Forest

• Backyard

• Roadside ditch

• Lakefront

• Creek bank

Log on to www.critterzone.com/magazineresource/animal-kingdom-class-definitions.htm for a definition of each classification of animals.

WILD AND FREE“And God said, ‘Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.’ And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:24-25 (NIV)

In every ecosystem, living things depend on each other to maintain a healthy balance. This is true in the forest or desert, at the seashore, or in a backyard puddle. The types of species living in an area are limited by the amounts of food, water, shelter, and space available there.

Wild animals survive by instinct. They are not pets or domesticated animals. In this activity, you will learn about different types of wildlife and how these creatures interact within the environment God created for them.

THINGS TO KNOW AND DOComplete the Tasks, plus the number of tasks listed in each section.

Task 1Complete the following task.

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ GIRL GUARDS

TO EARN THIS EMBLEM COMPLETETASK

1, 2, AND 3

PLUS

1 MIND MATTERS CHOICE TASK

1 BODY BASICS CHOICE TASK

1 SOUL QUEST CHOICE TASK

1 OTHERS CHOICE TASK

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Choose one species of wild animal or bird you would like to learn more about.

• Observe this animal or bird in its natural habitat. Keep a record of what you see.

• Do research to learn about its habits.

• Draw a sketch or take a photograph of the animal. If you are lucky enough to capture a photo of your chosen subject, log on to www.projectnoah.org/missions/ 27279036 and add your spotting to the Project Noah: Wild and Free Mission.

• Share what you learn with your leader or troop.

I observed

I chose to observe this animal or bird because

Where does it live or what is its natural habitat?

How does it get food?

How does this species interact with other wildlife?

How does it care for its young?

How is it dependent on other things?



Many states designate specific wildlife to be state symbols.

State Bird

State Mammal

State Insect

State Reptile

State Amphibian

State Fish

Use one or more of the symbols to design a state stamp.



The most interesting thing I saw was


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1. HABITAT DESTRUCTION OFTEN LEADS TO AN INCREASE IN WILD ANIMALS COMING INTO CONTACT WITH HUMANS.

It might seem like a good idea to adopt injured or orphaned wild animals, but these encounters are hazardous for both the animals and humans. Log on to http://vetmed.illinois.edu/wildlifeencounters/ grade9_12/lesson2/what_to_do.html to learn what to do if you find a sick or orphaned animal.

If I find an injured or orphaned animal, this is what I should do.

Mind MattersComplete at least ONE of the following tasks.


1. JOIN PROJECT NOAH.

Take at least five photos of wildlife and add them to the Girl Guard’s Wild and Free Mission Page: www.projectnoah.org/missions/27279036 .

2. WHEN AN ANIMAL BECOMES EXTINCT, THAT SPECIES IS GONE FOREVER.

Many animals are in danger of becoming extinct. Log on to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at www.fws.gov/endangered/ESDay/index.html to listen to podcasts that will help you understand the problem of endangered species and what you can do to help.

3. IDENTIFY FIVE BIRD CALLS.

Imitate two of the bird calls.

– OR –Listen to the sound of animals on a quiet night. Identify five different animal calls or sounds. If possible, record several animal sounds.

Body BasicsComplete at least ONE of the following tasks.


4. MAKE A BIRD OR SQUIRREL FEEDER.

Place the finished feeder in an appropriate and safe place where you can observe wildlife enjoying your effort.

Log on to www.ehow.com/info_8029631_homemade -squirrel-feeders-kids.html to find for directions simple squirrel feeders.

5. LEARNING ABOUT A FOOD CHAIN IS ONE WAY TO UNDERSTAND THE PREDATOR/PREY RELATIONSHIP AND HOW LIVING THINGS ARE INTERDEPENDENT AND CONNECTED IN AN ECOSYSTEM.

For a hands-on activity that will help you know more, dissect an owl pellet. Go on line to www.obdk.com/ to order pellets, watch a dissection and other interesting videos, download an identification guide, or find other resources.

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Soul QuestComplete at least ONE of the following tasks.


1. JEHOVAH-JIREH IS ONE OF THE NAMES OF GOD THAT IS LISTED IN THE BIBLE.

Solve the puzzle to learn what Jehovah-Jireh means.

2. WHILE BIRD FEEDING IS A POPULAR HOBBY, BIRDFEEDERS CAN LEAD TO DISEASE AND SAFETY ISSUES.

Know how to be responsible about caring for a birdfeeder. Log on to http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/health_birdfeeders.cfm to download an information sheet.

Name at least three things you can do to insure a healthy lunch for your feathered friends.

Will you commit to doing these?

Yes No Maybe

How does God provide for your needs?

Write a prayer to thank God for being a God who provides.

“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”

Matthew 6:26 (NLT)

7 19 22 15 12 9 23 4 18 15 15

11 9 12 5 18 23 22

Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

M L K J I H G F E D C B A

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

List the ways that God cares for birds and other wild animals. It might help you to begin by thinking of what all living things need in order to survive.

2. ALL LIVING THINGS NEED FOOD, WATER, SHELTER AND SPACE IN ORDER TO SURVIVE.

Think about the eagle. What is an eagle’s primary food source? Where does it nest? Where does it get water?

Read Genesis 1. Look for evidence that God provides for the needs of the eagle.


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1. PLANT A BACKYARD HABITAT AT YOUR CORPS, CAMP, OR A SENIOR CENTER.

Talk to an expert at a garden center or your local county extension office to learn which native plants you can use in small spaces to attract birds, butterflies, and animals.

2. HELP A YOUNGER CHILD MAKE AND HANG A SQUIRREL OR BIRD FEEDER.

Be sure they understand how to care for the feeder.

3. BELONGING TO A TROOP MEANS YOU ARE PART OF A COMMUNITY WITH DIFFERING IDEAS AND BELIEFS ABOUT WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

While it is important to have your own set of beliefs and values, you should always be respectful to others with different ideas. As a group, discuss how one of the following issues affects your local community and the environment.

• Logging operations

• Fracking

• Pipelines

• Hunting

• Mining

• Another environmental issue that affects your local community

OthersComplete at least ONE of the following tasks.


Which day did God provide a habitat for the eagle to build its nest?

On which day did God provide water?

On which day did God provide a food source?

On which day(s) did God provide for your needs?

Create a prayer praising God for being a loving creator who provides for your needs.

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If you enjoyed this activity, find out how to put it to work. Talk to your school counselor about career opportunities that would allow you to use your new skills. What can you do now to help you prepare for a related job in the future?

Here are several careers related to this emblem. There are many others.

• Wildlife Biologist

• Wildlife Enforcement Officer

• Naturalist

Looking Ahead

If you are working on the Catherine Booth Award, take photos to share with the Review Committee.

1. ORGANIZE A GROUP OF TROOP MEMBERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO PARTICIPATE IN A WILDLIFE SERVICE PROJECT.

Log onto www.fws.gov/letsgooutside/leaders.html and follow the link to participate in a service project.

2. EACH YEAR THE THIRD FRIDAY IN MAY IS CELEBRATED AS ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY.

Work with local school board officials, community leaders, and civic clubs to gain support and organize a group to participate in the event. Log on to www.endangered.org/campaigns/endangered-species-day/ for help and resources.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H Project(s)Complete ONE of the following projects.


WebsitesProject Noahwww.projectnoah.org/

An interactive game to help you identify whether an animal is a mammal, amphibian or reptile.www.timeforkids.com/homework-helper/study-helper/mammal-amphibian-or-reptile

Nature’s Notebook is a free comprehensive resource for young people that includes information many types of wildlife and conservation. Be sure to check it out. www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/content/download/7078/34389/file/s%20Notebook.pdf

Additional Resources

This is a link to Peterson Field Guides, the premier guides for wildlife of all sorts.www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/peterson/

Free field guide identification for different types of wildlife.www.enature.com

Wild and Free on Pinterestwww.pinterest.com/jerriemiller/wild-and-free/


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MY TASKS AND ACTIVITIES:

WILD AND FREE

Task 1Signature: Date Completed:



Soul QuestSignature: Date Completed:

S-T-R-E-T-C-H Project(s)Signature: Date Completed:

OthersSignature: Date Completed:

Signature: Date Completed:

Body Basics

My Name:

Date:

COMPLETED

MY NOTES:

MY BIG IDEAS:

I WONDER:

Mind MattersSignature: Date Completed:

COMPLETE TASK DISCOVERING GOD’S GIFT OF NATURE …to their kinds, the livestock according to their...

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