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Introduction |
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Find out how your lifestyle affects the planet. Take an Ecological
Footprint Quiz and learn how many Earths would be needed
if everybody lived like you. |
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Directions: |
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Divide into small groups and research answers
to one of the following community evaluation topics. Write your
answers on a separate piece of paper. |
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Survey: |
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Water, Land, Air |
| 1. |
What are the streams, rivers, lakes, or
oceans that pass through or have a connection to your community?
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| 2. |
Rate your waterways using this scale of 1
to 10 (1 being very polluted/floating trash and 10 being
crystal clear).This can be based on visual observation of the
waterway or on more detailed water-quality tests. |
| 3. |
Where does your drinking water come from?
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| 4. |
Are there any sources of human pollution along your waterways?
What type? |
| 5. |
Where do your storm
drains empty? |
| 6. |
What are the major types of rock in your area? Is the soil
sandy, rocky, or full of organic material?
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| 7. |
What are the predominant landforms in your area (mountains,
hills, plains)? |
| 8. |
Are there any sources of soil pollution in your area? Learn more about soil
quality. |
| 9. |
Is there a litter problem in your community (do you see
trash in the streets, gutters, or along roadsides)?
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| 10. |
Have you noticed air pollution in your area? Does the
air ever appear hazy or do you have trouble breathing? Do
you notice any strange smells in the air from unnatural sources? Find out about the Air
Quality Index.
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Plants |
| 1. |
What are the common plants growing in your area? For help
identifying species, you can consult an on-line
field guide. |
| 2. |
Are the plants affected at all by human or animal activity?
How? Is the effect positive or negative? |
| 3. |
Are there non-native species of plants that humans have
brought to your community? Are these plants helping or harming
your local environment?
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| 4. |
Are there any rare, threatened, or endangered plant species
living in your area?
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Animals |
| 1. |
What are the common animals found in your neighborhood? Make
separate lists for birds, reptiles, insects, amphibians, mammals,
and fish. For help identifying species, you can consult an on-line
field guide. |
| 2. |
How do the animals and humans in your community interact?
Is the interaction positive or negative? In what way? |
| 3. |
Do you have animals living with you at home? What kinds? Are
they pets or are they involved in a family business (farming)? |
| 4. |
Are there any rare, threatened, or endangered animal species
living in your community?
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| 5. |
Is there a high or low diversity of animal species in your
area? (Diversity is the number of different kinds of species
living in one place.) Learn
more about diversity in your biome. |
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People |
| 1. |
What do you like most about living in your community? |
| 2. |
What do you like least? |
| 3. |
What, in your opinion, are the top 5 problems for the people
in your community? |
| 4. |
Do any of these problems concern the relationship between
humans and nature? If not, are there any major problems with
the interactions between humans and the plants, animals, and
environment in your community? |
| 5. |
What are your biggest hopes for your community? |
| 6. |
Are there any groups of people in your community who have
a difficult time living? What are some of the reasons for these
difficulties? |
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