Wetland Wonders: New York's Budget Will Help Safeguard Them

• This article from The Nature Conservancy explains the importance of providing environmental protection for small wetlands in New York.
• Students will learn about the significance of small wetlands as carbon sinks, habitats for many species of wildlife, and "nature's sponges," providing a place for excess water to go instead of flooding neighborhoods.

Positives

• The embedded animated video helps students comprehend the important environmental role of wetlands.
• There are links to related articles and information on how to become more involved in the fight to protect our nation's wetlands.
• Photos of wetlands-dwelling wildlife capture the attention of readers.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Vocabulary is rigorous, so a definition list or graphic organizer will be helpful to students.
• One of the embedded links is no longer working.
• Students and teachers can share this article via social media.
• Students should understand the effects of climate change, such as increased flooding and drought, and know the term carbon sink.

Differentiation

• The article mentions environmental protections, so social studies teachers can have students read the article and then research recent environmental protection legislation in their state.
• English teachers can utilize the article and links to related articles as factual resources for informational essays about environmental protection. 
• Science teachers can have students connect the article to climate change and then conduct experiments explaining how wetlands act as "sponges" and "nature's kidneys," as mentioned in the resource.
• This article can extend discussions and lessons about stormwater runoff, droughts, floods, or habitat protection.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.