Web Activity

Summary:Every government has its own mission statement and priorities……………… So do different ecosystems. How does the interaction of these affect the river?

MATERIALS:

Agency cards Biome cards Cause/Effect cards

Aluminum pie pan String

ACTIVITY PREP:

  • Copy handout pages 1&2 back-to-back and cut cards
  • Same for handout pages 3&4 and 5&6
  • Cut 16 pieces of string into 4ft. lengths
  • Attach these at equal intervals around the edge of pie pan
  • Locate an area with enough space to stretch all strings out to full length
  • Fill pie pan with water

PROCEDURE

  1. Divide class into equal groups so that all the Agency Cards and the Biome cards are used.
  2. Within each group discuss and read and discuss all info on cards and complete the impact question on card.
  3. Ask each group to share card info with class.
  4. Instruct one member from each group to pick up a string attached to the “river” (aluminum pie pan).
  5. Balance the “river” off the ground trying not to waste any water.
  6. A habitat has now been created.
  7. Probing Questions
  8. Is this an easy or difficult task? (why?)
  9. Does keeping the river in balance require energy? (yes)! It’s work)
  10. Are all occupants of habitat the same distance from the river? (why?)
  11. Is each member feeling some pressure from other members?
  1. At random read Cause and Effect cards and follow directions.
  2. Probing Questions
  3. How did one change affect other members of habitat?
  4. What’s happening to river?
  5. How would you describe the health of the river? (pH, turbitity, saline content)
  6. How do you think these changes have affected river flow?
  7. As members dropped out or joined with others, what happened to remaining habitat?

AZ Game & Fish Department:
“To conserve, enhance, and restore Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and habitats through aggressive protection and management programs and to provide wildlife resources and safe watercraft and off-highway vehicle recreation for the enjoyment, appreciation and use by present and future generations.” / DOI- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
“The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.”
AZ NRCD
“To identify natural resource problems and opportunities and formulate working plans to address them through the volunteer efforts of landowners on the local level” / DOI- National Park Services
“The service thus established shall promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter specified by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks, monuments and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”
DOI- Bureau of Land Management
“To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” / DOI- Bureau of Indians Affairs
“To enhance the quality of life and to promote economic opportunity in balance with meeting the responsibility to protect and improve the trust resources of American Indians, Indian tribes and Alaska Natives.”

Salt River Project
“SRP will deliver ever-improving contributions to the people we serve through the provision of low-cost, reliable water and power, and community programs to ensure the vitality of the Salt River Valley.” / Arizona State Park
“Managing and conserving Arizona's natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people both in our parks and through our partners.”
Plains grassland containing broom snakeweed-catclaw acacia / Interior Chaparral containing Sonoran scrub, oak-skunkbush, sumac
scrub- grassland containing New Mexico feather grass- mixed scrub / Chihuahuan desert scrub containing mariola-broom snakeweed
Sonoran desert scrub containing crucifixion thorn / Southwest riparian deciduous forest and woodland containing Arizona sycamore- green ash- Fremont cottonwood
Sonoran inter marshland containing softstem bulrush- beaked spikerush / Sonoran riparian and oasis forest containing velvet mesquite-catclaw acacia- broom snakeweed and fourwing saltbush-velvet mesquite
Cause: The has joined ______with______.
Effect: The ______program has been dropped
Action: Both agencies get into a position to hold both strings. (Be careful of the river!) / Cause:
Effect
Action: Take two steps away from river.
Cause:
Effect
Action: Take 5 steps toward the river / Cause:
Effect
Action: Become extinct (drop string)
Cause:
Effect
Action: Take 3 steps away from river / Cause:
Effect
Action: Join with______
Cause:
Effect
Action: / Cause:
Effect
Action:

The U.S. Department of the Interior protects America’s natural resources and heritage, honors our cultures and tribal communities, and supplies the energy to power our future.