HOW CAN WE PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP?Text 3.1-3.2: 92-117

Agenda1. Case Study – Lake Erie: “The Comeback

Kid”2. Conservation Biology

Strategies Government Actions

3. Environmental Stewardship Personal Actions

4. Activity – What’s Your Eco Plan5. Quick Lab – Ecological Footprint6. Quick Lab – Environmental Organizations

Learning Goal

We are learning to: Evaluate the effectiveness of government

action in promoting ecosystem sustainability.

Evaluate the effectiveness of actions people are taking to ensure ecosystem sustainability.

Case Study – Lake Erie Comeback

How did the government help restore Lake Erie in 1970?

What is happening recently?

What is Conservation Biology?

Modern science of Conservation Biology seeks to understand and protect biodiversity.

Part of this includes determining which species are most at danger and how to protect them.

Species At Risk – means any native species that is in danger of becoming extinct or disappearing from a region.

Level of Risk DefinitionExtirpated A species no longer exists in Ontario but still occurs

elsewhere.Endangered A species that faces extinction or extirpationThreatened A species that is a risk of becoming endangered if

limiting factors are not reversedSpecial Concern

A species with characteristics that make it sensitive to human activities or natural events.

What Are Conservation Strategies?

Ex-situ conservation conserves species by removing them from their natural habitat.

Considered a last resort… E.g. Panda

In-situ conservation focuses on conserving species in their natural habitat. Uses many strategies but

primarily protecting species’ habitat.

How do governments

protect species

habitat?

Examples of Government Action

Laws & Regulation – In 2007, the Ontario government passed the Endangered Species Act. E.g. American Badger

Habitat Protection – Ontario and Canada will protect and conserve biodiversity through the use of parks and protected areas

Action Plans – remedial action plans involve governments, industries, and community groups to work together.

What are the three

different types of park

systems in Canada?

What Personal Actions Can You Make?

Activity – What’s Your Eco Plan?

Become a good steward today, be an environmental steward, taking care of natural resources to ensure that they are used in sustainable ways for current and future generations.

Write down your plan for: Today? This week? This month? This year?

Quick Lab – Ecological Footprint

A23 Quick Lab – Calculate your ecological footprint and answer the questions on p.g. 115

Quick Lab – Environmental Organizations

A24 Quick Lab – Research one of the following organizations:

Find out what types of projects they are doing in Ontario/Canada

Answer questions 3-6 p.g.115

• World Wildlife Fund

• Pollution Probe• Ducks Unlimited• Greenbelt of

Ontario• Nature

Conservancy of

Canada• The Sierra Club

of Canada• The Suzuki

Foundation