A Long Time

Objectives

To enable the student to: Define conservation; list six different types of natural resources; state the approximate number of people on Earth; and predict what could happen if we ran out of some of our natural resources.

Subject Areas

Language Arts, Math, Social Studies.

Procedures

Ask students what they think is meant by the word "conservation." After a few definitions have been offered, write the following on the chalkboard:

The wise use of the natural resources for the greatest good of the greatest number of people for the longest time.

Tell them that this is one of the longer definitions for the word "conservation."

Discuss the various parts of the definition.
"The wise use of ..." refers to people taking advantage of something.

"...the natural resources..." Ask students to help list a few of those resources. The list should include:

• Forests
• Fish
• Wildlife
• Soil
• Water
• Air

·"...for the greatest good of the greatest number of people..." Ask students how many people live on Earth. (about 5 billion) Explain that the Earth's resources should be used to help satisfy the needs of the world's people in such a way that it promotes the welfare of all.

·"...for the longest time." Ask the students to suggest what might happen if we run out of some of the following resources:

1. Forests: loss of firewood, building materials, paper, and wildlife that depends on the forests.
2. Fish: loss of recreational fishing, food source, and control of some insect populations.
3. Wildlife: loss of fur market, food source, visual enjoyment (zoo), and population control of insects and rodents.
4. Soil: loss of crops, damage to streams and rivers
5. Water: loss of crops, swimming, drinking source, bathing and other household needs.
6. Air: loss of people, wildlife, forests, and power for windmills.

• Explain that in many places in the world, including the state in which you live, these resources are not always used wisely. These resources will not always be available for our use unless we change our ways. We must become conservationists and practice and promote the wise use of natural resources.
• Have students complete the activity page.

Supplemental Activities

The students can interview a professional in some field of conservation about his/her job and what he/she is attempting to accomplish, and report their findings to the class.

Adapted with permission from the Learning with Otis, produced by the Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO.

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