2.  Today you will:  Identify local plants or animals and describe their habitat

3.  From our lesson on Tuesday: What three crops were known as the “three sisters”?

4. NATIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS  Native plants and animals should be used in your gardening as often as possible.  Remember, native plants are specially designed to thrive in the climate and soil of their natural habitat using less water.  Native species are also more resistant to pests and diseases.  Both also play a role in the habitat in which they grow. Since native plants thrive where they grow naturally, they also beautify the landscape and filter pollution. Pg. 116

5.  Pennsylvania is a state filled with large tracts of deciduous forests that are home to a wide variety of plants and animals.  Native to this state are: bears, owls, deer, falcons, eagles, bluebirds, mice, moles, elk, turkey, coyote and pheasants. Pg. 116

6.  Pennsylvania is covered with native plant species, approximately 2,100 different types.  Various trees, shrubs, and vines grow alongside ferns, grasses, sedges, rushes, and club mosses.  Included are the annual and perennial flowering plants such as Eastern columbine, Jack-in-the- pulpit, trilliums, asters, cardinal flower, and bloodroot. Pg. 117

7. WITHIN PENNSYLVANIA, EVERY COUNTY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THOUSANDS OF WILDLIFE CRIMES EACH YEAR. IN 2005, EVERY STATE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR A STATEWIDE PROTECTION PLAN FOR WILDLIFE AND THEIR HABITAT.  The first part of the Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) is dedicated to accumulating information about the wildlife and habitats of the region.  Part two focuses on the condition of the habitat areas. Within each of the habitat regions, each species plays an important role. It is important to understand that the decline of any species within that habitat would result in an overall change for many of the other species. Pg. 117

8.  136 Pennsylvania state conservation officers have their hands full patrolling the 44,000 square miles of Pennsylvania. 60% of that land is forested.  Many of the crimes against the wildlife and plant life occur at night and are difficult to track. The crimes are acts of poaching and cruelty to animals, dumping of hazardous waste, and maiming wildlife for fun. Pg. 117

9.  An invasive plant is one that has been labeled a weed pest.  Usually they arrive from other countries or continents free from their natural diseases and pest control.  As new invasive plant species are arriving in Pennsylvania, native plants are being destroyed by habitat destruction. It is important to also protect Pennsylvania’s native plant population as well. Pg. 117

10.  By the turn of the 20 th century, 5% of native plants had been destroyed and another 25% were on the waiting list.  In order to change the path of these plant species, actions must be taken. When landscaping your yard, use native plants, stop habitat destruction, and protect the habitat areas that currently exist. Pg. 117

11.  A conservation scientist and forester work to preserve natural resources and educate people on the importance in taking care of our forests. Pg. 118

12. Conservation Scientists and Foresters There are many different specialty areas such as: 1. wildlife management 2. soil conservation 3. pest species 4. forestry 5. native species that work to protect our environment.

13.  Corn (one of the crops grown in PA) can be used in a wide variety of products.  Most of the corn in the United States is grown in the Corn Belt. Let’s watch a video that explains some uses of corn!

15. In a chat message, send 1 use of corn.

16.  Complete the Week 21 Science quiz in Schoology.