Folio GA N200.G2 51 C3 2010/2011 
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DOCUMENTs 
 
 contest artists express their stewardship of Earth's resources through environmental artwork. Members of GEN Clubs investigate and restore their sites through hands-on investigations and Service Learning projects. 
See back pages for information about how your school or 4-H Club can participate in these programs! 
Program Partners: 
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Nongame Conservation Section The Environmental Resources Network, Inc. (T.E.R.N .) The State Botanical Garden of Georgia The Georg i3 Museum of Natural History Georgia 4-H 
 
Division 1: Kindergarten 1st Place: Rebekkah Carpenter 
Tift Area Academy Chula, GA 
 
Division 2: 1st and 2nd Grade 1st Place: Jordan Sullivan Dacula Academy Dacula, GA 
 
Division 3: 3rd and 4th Grade 1st Place: Mattie All en East Newton Elementary Covington, GA 
 
Division 4: 5th Grade 1st Place: Elxus Sprad li n Heard County Elementary 
Franklin, GA 
 
 What should I do with my calendar? 
 
ut on your sneakers and do some real world exploring! Each month, your calendar highlights Questions to Explore and provides Key Workers that you might see in your own backyard. Use these to spur your outdoor explorations and note everything you discover on the pages of this calendar. 
You might note on your calendar: February 5 - Found raccoon prints by cat bowls. July 9 -Saw 10 robins in my backyard. October 20 - Collected 2 inches of rain in gauge. 
Journaling: Did you know that the drawings on cave walls are sometimes considered the first form of journaling? Journaling is a wonderful way to keep a record of nature discoveries, scientific research, and even thoughts, feelings, or poetry. A nature journal often includes specific characteristics of an object and sometimes drawings. Ask your Mom or Dad to help you get a special notebook in which you can keep all your nature notes and drawings. 
To get started, go outside and find an object in nature. This could be an animal, plant, seed, or any other natural object. Describe your object. How big is it? What color is it? Does it smell? Does it make a sound? Try to be as descriptive as possible. Next, draw a sketch of your object. Be sure to date your journal entry. It is also good to describe your surroundings, the weather, and the time you found your object. Enjoy getting started with your cool nature journal! 
Or, you can sit comfortably inside and check out some neat websites! Make sure you read about the VIP and Fact of the Month. And don't forget to chuckle as you read the monthly jokes! 
A wise man named Henry David Thoreau once said, "What 900d is a house if you don't have a decent planet to put it on?" 
 
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Dlvlston 3: 3rd and 4th Grade 1st Place: Mattie Allen 
East Newton Elementary Covington, GA 
 
......,ro -... mo Month: www.pestworldforklds.org/games.html FRlDA.Y 
 
Fact: lady beetle larvae sport voracious appetites consuming more than ISO aphids, 
while adult lady beeUes eat about 50 per day. 
 
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31 VJP of th Mo-nth: Anton van Leeuwenhoek was born on October 24, 1632. Thlt Dutch naturalist built microscope, gave the first description of red blood cells, and was the first person to observe bacteria. 
 
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 What is a naturalist? Naturalists are neat people who know lots 
of important thin9s about earth and try to help make Earth a better place. Below is some information about a few well-known naturalists. 
 
What can you discover as a naturalist in your own backyard? 
 
NATURALISTS 
Wangari Muta Maathai In 1977, Maath;~i founded the Green Belt Movement, a 9rassroots environmental or9anization, which has now planted over 30 million trees across Kenya to prevent soil erosion. She has come to be affectionately called "Tree Woman ." In 2004 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace"-the first African woman to receive the award . 
Dr. Seuss (real name Ted Geisel) was a cartoonist and naturalist who provided us with 46 different books. in his book, The Lorax, he states, "I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no ton9ues." 
Eugene Odum who started the Institute of Ecolo9y in Athens, Geor9ia, is known as the "father of modern ecolo9y" He was an excellent naturalist who studied plants and animals and thei r interactions in ecosystems. Former President Jimmy Carter states, "The work of Dr. Odum chan9ed the way we look at the natural world and our place in it." 
 
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.fl-1, native species of milkweed in Georgia and their leaves serve as host plants for the Monarch caterpillar. Adult Monarch butterflies love to sip their nectar. Plant them and Monarchs will visit your garden ! 
 
Nicholson Elementary Statham Elementary 
 
Division 1: Kindergarten 1st Place: Rebekkah Carpenter 
Tift Area Academy, Chula, GA 
 
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Website of the Month: www.pbs.org/journeyintoamazonia/ 
 
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Why did the egg 
go into the jungle? --~ ~ : r.  ~ - 
 
8ecause .1t was an eggsplorer! 
 
 The Pollination Department in Your Own Backyard: Many people only think of allergies when they hear the word pollen. But pollination - the transfer of pollen grains from one flower to another flower to make seeds and fruits - is a vital part of a healthy ecosystem. It is possible to see the pollination team at work almost year round. Summer is the busiest season, but even in winter some plants begin to flower and produce seeds. To see the Pollination Department at work, go outside and look for flowers. Sit patiently and watch the flowers. What pollinators are visiting these flowers? 
 
What pollinates the flowers on your How are people, pollinators and plants interconnected? 
 
State Botanical Garden GEN Club 
 
"r Passionflower This beautiful flower is sometimes 
~ considered a weed since it grows along driveways 
t:r,; and in abandoned fields. It is very easy to grow in a 
~ sunny spot in your backyard. And, as a bonus, it is 
0 the host plant for the Gulf Fritillary butterfly! 
 
Whit Oa\liS Elementary 
Division 2: 1st and 2nd Grade 1st Place: Jordan Sullivan 
Dacula Academy, Dacula, GA 
 
 Website of the Month: www.journeynorth.org 
 
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Where have all the honeybees gone? 
Ftnd out more at: 
www.cbsnews.com 
Search stories for "honey bees" 
 
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Fall Equinox 
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VIP of the Month: in 1785, John James Audubon, ornithologist, naturalist, 
painter, and writer was born in Haiti. He moved to the United States in 1803 and became famous for his realistic drawings of birds. 
 
<Why do bees have sticky hair? 
Because they have honeycombs! 
 
 P pulation Control and Predation in Your Own Backyard Numerous insect and invertebrate predators are helpful in controllin~ pests. These include spiders, wasps (parasitoids), and many predatory beetles. Many vertebrates are also effective predators. Here's an example. A potato farmer was bothered by the number of bats flying from caves on his farm . He contacted a bat researcher to figure out how to get rid of them. In the caves, the researcher found huge amounts of Colorado potato beetle win~s in the bat droppings. When he showed them to the farmer, the farmer realized that the bats were eating thousands of these beetle-pests and helping his crop. From then on, he was very protective of these vertebrate predators! Ladybugs and praying mantids are two important predators that control pests in your yards. See you if ca n discover an example of the pest control department at work in your own backyard ! 
 
What pests live on your site? What eats these pests? 
Holt Elementary 
 
Goldenrods are easily recognized by their golden 
flowers and are pollinated by many insects. Goldenrod is often unfairly blamed for causing hay fever in humans. The pollen causing these allergy problems is mainly produced by Ragweed blooming at the same time as the goldenrods. 
 
Wheeler County 4H 
Division 3: 3rd and 4th Grade 1st Place: Mattie Allen 
East Newton Elementary Covington, GA 
 
 Website of the Month: www.pestworldforkids.org/ games.html 
 
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Fact: Lady beetle larvae sport voracious 
appetites consuming more than 150 aphids, while adult lady beetles eat about 50 per day. 
 
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VIP of the Month: Anton van Leeuwenhoek was born on October 24, 1632. This Dutch naturalist built microscopes, gave the first description of red blood cells, and was the first person to observe bacteria. 
 
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Why was the insect kicked 
out of the ~ ~~ park? 
 
It was a litterbug! 
 
 Food Production Department in Your Community All creatures on 
Garden Earth need food to survive and your local ecosystem provides a wide variety of foods . What creatures look for food in your community? What and where do they eat? Are there any pollutants harmin9 the food sources and creatures on your site? Find a tree on your school site. Is any food produced by that tree? You mi9ht find youn9 developin9 berries on a holly bush or nuts on a pecan or oak tree. Look at the 9rasses that haven't been mowed near fences . Find the seeds that these plants produce. Look for insects feedin9 on oak leaves. Remember seeds and leaves are important foods for many animals. 
 
What foods are produced in your backyard and what 
eats these foods? 
Stone Mountain Elementary 
 
~r Yaupon Holly Native Americans prepared a tea from the ~ leaves of this plant and called it 'Black Drink'. They would drink 
~ this tea at special ceremonies as well as to cleanse themselves ~ of impurities in the Spring. The berries of this plant are a food 
-P,-1 source for birds in winter. 
 
Division 4: 5th Grade 1st Place: Elxus Spradlin 
Heard County Elementary, Franklin, GA 
 
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Website of the Month: www.nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds 
 
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VIP of the Month: Jane Goodall Goodal l was a primatologist who studied chimpanzees for 45 years. Gradually the chimps got to know her and she was able to interact with them and learn about their behaviors including how they use "tools" such as grass blades to find food and rocks to break fruit. Her work raised awareness around the planet of the plight of many threatened species in Africa and other parts of the world. 
 
N AT UR E J OURNAL 
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Fact: Each year the Arctic Tern flies a phenomenal round trip 
migration that can be as long as 20,000 miles per year, from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back! 
 
Madame Squirrel likes all the food that your site produces for animals, such as nuts, berries, leaves, mushrooms, and insects. 
 
Whydid the sparrow 
 
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library? 
 
It was 
looking for bookworms! 
 
 The Value of Ecosystems Garden Earth's ecosystems are very important to people and to all the 
 
animals and plants that depend upon them. Some scientists and economists have tried to put a dollar value on some of these eco-services. For example, what is the value of clean water to New York City? In 1997, when the source of the drinkin~ water was increasin~ly polluted, city officials had to decide how to clean up the water. They could build new water treatment plants, 
 
What plants and animals live in my ecosystem? How can I improve the health of my local ecosystem? 
 
which cost about $6 billion or they could invest in clean in~ up the source of their dri nkin~ 
 
water, the Catskill Mountains. By helpin~ install new septic systems and payin~ landowners 
 
to plant trees and protect the 
 
streams on their property, 
 
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New York City could ~et better water quality for less than one tenth of 
 
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the cost of buildin~ new 
 
Wheeler County 4-H 
 
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water treatment plants! 
 
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A cleaner environment for less money?! That's a no-brainer! 
 
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Live Oak is the state tree of Geor~ia. The acorns from oak trees 
provide are an important source of food for many animals. 
 
Stathatn E\etnentafY 
Division 1: Kindergarten 2nd Place: Isabell Adair 
Centralhatchee Elementary Franklin, GA 
 
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Website of the Month: http://www.epa.gov/kids/ 
 
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NATURE JOURNAL 
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VIP of the Month: Meriwether Lewis, who led the Lewis and Clark expedition, was born in Virginia 
on the 18thof August 1774. The expedition set off to explore the uncharted West and seek a route 
to the Pacific. The journey to the Pacific and back took them 2 years, 4 months, and 10 days! Along the way, Lewis and Clark saw and described many species that were unknown to scientists! 
 
Why should you be careful when it rains cats and dogs? 
 
You might step in a poodle. 
 
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Biodiversity in Your Community Every place on earth contains some living species. Even a city park is home to more species than you might imagine. If you looked closely at the grass lawn you will probably find 4-10 plant species. What about animals in the park? Many insects will also be present. Ants, small beetles and grasshoppers will find homes in the grass. Nighttime visitors may include mice, raccoons, and opossums. If a stream runs through your site, you'll find aquatic insects and maybe even crayfish and salamanders. 
 
biodiversity on your site? 
 
You can improve the biodiversity of your community by increasing the kinds of habitats available for animals. Trees provide bird nesting sites; flowering plants provide nectar sources for pollinating insects. Plants that produce fleshy fruits or nuts (pecans, peaches, plums) are food sources for other animals. When you think about providing sources of food , water, nesting sites or even hiding places, you are well on your way to improving the biodiversity of your community! 
Colham ferry Elementary 
 
Key Workers: 
 
Eastern Redcedar The Redcedar is a native evergreen tree that is easy to 
grow in Georgia. Many birds eat its berries. As they excrete the berries, the seeds fall to the ground and new trees grow! That's why you frequently see these trees growing along old fences where birds love to perch. 
 
State Botanical Garden GEN Club 
Division 2: 1st and 2nd Grade 2nd Place: Sybille Foucart 
St. Joseph Catholic School, Athens, GA 
 
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Website of the Month: www.biodiversity911.org/ 
 
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 
 
FRIDAY 
 
Fact: Scientists have described 1.6 mill ion species of living th ings on 
earth, including us! Some scientists think there could be as many as 30 mill ion species on earth- we just haven't found them all yet! 
 
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NATURE JOURNAL 
Biottive-rsi.t<t WA be- foi.AYtli, Y\.0 ~He-r ~~e- ~v.. axe-. Of cow-se- .t~e- is ~e biotLlve.rsi.ttt il'\. som-e- axea.s .than ot~s. fhv d.$s ~v..r kntc,~~ti ra--te-? Do ~v.. ~--t Vw!e- ~ ttif.fe_rM.t 
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VIP of the Month: Archie Carr Throu9h his research, teachin9 and writin9, Dr. Carr was responsible for accumulatin9 and distributin9 much of what is known about the biolo9y and life cycle of sea turtles. He was credited by many for brin9in9 the first international attention to the pli9ht of marine 
turtles. He is considered one of the greatest conservation biolo9ists of the twentieth century. 
 
Dr. Arrow is concerned about endan~ered plants and animals. 
 
 Air Cleaning in Your Community If you can't see air, how do you know that the Air Cleaning Department is at work? Well, there are certain times when you can see air--when it is carrying 
particulates (small pieces of dust and other materials). If you know a place near a busy road where cars or trucks stir up dust and spew dirty diesel exhaust smoke into the air, you'll see that the dust collects on the surface of the leaves. Trees and other plants provide a lot of surface area to remove dust and other particles from the air. 
 
But plants also remove gases from the air. Air passes into a plant through stomata , small holes that 
 
are opened or closed by the shrinking or swell ing of specialized guard cells. When the guard cells swell 
 
with fluid, spaces or pores open to the interior of the leaf, letting air enter the leaf. Leaves remove carbon 
 
dioxide from the air as well as some of the pollutants such as sulfur dioxide. Look at a leaf. Can you see 
 
any stomata? Most stomata are on the underside of leaves, but are so small, you'll need a microscope to 
 
see them. Look around and notice all the leaves on the trees, shrubs, and every blade of grass. 
 
Take a deep breath. Imagine all of them taking in a great big breath like you are. Does the Air 
 
Key Workers: 
 
Cleaning Department seem more real to you now? 
 
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How do trees clean the air? Where is the dirtiest air on 
your site located? 
Holt Elementary 
 
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~ Redbud The redbud is a small native tree that grows beneath taller trees. It also grows 
~ on the borders of fields, on hillsides and in valleys throughout the state, being most 
H abundant in the Piedmont and least abundant in the mountains. It is one of the first trees 
+,11 to produce flowers in the spring. 
 
Whit Davis Elementary 
Division 3: 3rd and 4th Grade 2nd Place: Sarah Grace Rogers 
Ephesus Elementary Roopville, GA 
 
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Website of the Month: www.arborday.org/kids/carly 
 
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Arbor Day in Georgia 
 
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Fact: Mature trees can pull one ton of water from 
the soil each day! This water cools the air through evapotranspiration acting as a natural air conditioner. 
 
That's a Iotta water! 
 
NATURE JOURNAL 
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VIP of the Month: Dan Beard was a conservationist, painter, illustrator, and founder of the Boy Scouts of America. He formed "The Society of the Sons of Dan iel Boone" which developed into "The Boy Pioneers" in 1905, and then became the Boy Scouts of America in 191 0. 
 
<What is a tree's favorite drink? 
Root Beer. 
 
 Soil in Your Community Open areas are the 
best places to look for the free services provided by soil workers such as ants, earthworms, fungi and bacteria. Find an area with exposed soil at the surface. Look for piles of crumbly soil on the surface. If you see no animal activity and the soil looks like small pellets, that is probably evidence of an earthworm burrow. If the soil looks more powdery, the activity is likely due to ants. At an ant nest, you almost certainly will observe ants entering and exiting. Fire ant nests are spectacular but be careful when observing these ants! They will sting and the sting is mildly painful. 
Key Workers: 
 
What lives in the soil on YOUR site? 
 
Another way to explore the 
 
soil department is to observe soil 
 
formation in progress. Take a shovel 
 
into a wooded area, or someplace that has a fair 
 
amount of plant debris on the ground surface. With the 
 
shovel, dig down and remove a core of soil about 8 - 12 
 
inches in depth. Keep the clump of soil together so that you 
 
can observe the layers of soil. You should see leaf material 
 
at the surface, followed by partly decomposed organic material (this is usually black), the topsoil (brown crumbly 
 
Cotham Ferry Elementary 
 
soil), and then subsoil. The subsoil will appear drier 
 
and usually harder than the topsoil. It is usually a 
 
different color. Can you see animal activity in the 
 
different layers? 
 
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~ 
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"r 
 
~ 
 
Dogwood is a beautiful small tree that grows in the sun or shade. The berries 
 
~ are eaten by birds. The leaves are used as food by the larvae of some butterfly 
 
~ and moth species including the Emperor Moth. American pioneers would peel 
 
i?-J off the bark, bite the twig and then scrub their teeth with the wood! 
 
Holt Elementary 
Division 4: 5th Grade 2nd Place: Willie Taylor 
Bleckley Elementary Cochran, GA 
 
and his friends dig in the soil; they make air spaces for plant roots. 
 
 SUNDAY 
 
MONDAY 
 
Fact: It takes 
about 500 years to make 1 inch of soil. That's amazing! 
 
I 
~ 
 
6 
 
7 
 
13 
 
14 
 
20 
 
21 
 
Spring Equinox 
(First Day of Spring) 
 
27 
 
28 
 
Website of the Month: http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/soil/ 
 
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 
 
1 
 
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F R IDAY 
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SATUR DAY 
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NATURE JOURNAL 
 
8 15 
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11 18 25 
 
12 19 26 
 
rl'llo.l-""--l._DQ__~Ji, ~V\OW ~=b h2lv __ aN~.ZiNO SQil is? Sa_tus =t~ 
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/.if""'r- 1-is ~ v.p_o.f~-1;00-d 
roc~s, ~t'l.VO pla.nLa.AA, cwi~e-dCU~, ad 
c:tir. ~e- t:tre-_ye.r1r..J~f2Qf-tM=h 
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_ r..c-TOI.. I_.sa.nd:_, or lhaO::H.Lli~e-_c-.~1 
eth.CcL.Jeft,.X. ~.sn~a..iiOfl.S_jV\, 
~---t--~W:...?j.Qu.t: __"""'-._ _ _ _ ____, 
 
VIP of the Month: Carl Linnaeus was born in Sweden in 1707. He 
developed classification systems for plants and animals. His system for naming, ranking , and classifying organisms is still in wide use today. 
 
How does the ocean pay its 
water bill? 
 
With sand dollars! 
 
 The Water Cleaning Department in Your Backyard Water is the most 
 
important substance in our everyday lives! Nature gives us pure water as a free service, but 
 
clean water depends on healthy plants to maintain water quality. A healthy stand of plants 
 
helps absorb rainfall, and soil water helps to maintain plant growth between rainfall events. 
 
When vegetation is removed and the soil exposed, soil can wash away, air pollutants can 
 
wash into streams, and groundwater supplies may diminish due to increased surface runoff. 
 
The presence of trees along streams and 
 
ern. 
j 
r. 
 
rivers, commonly called a "riparian buffer" will trap nutrients that might otherwise run off the land into the streams. The trees also 
 
0 
 
prevent erosion of the stream bank during 
 
3: 
 
high rainfall periods. Can you locate any 
 
i 
 
areas of erosion on your school site or around your home? If so, what could you 
 
do to repair them? 
 
What can you do to help the local water supply stay clean? 
 
Mheos 
 
. 
a,..a, ootessorl 
 
scnoo\ 
 
Black-eyed susans The two main 
pollinators of this beautiful plant are bees and butterflies. It is drought-tolerant so it is good for xeriscaping (gardening with minimal watering from your hose). Goldfinches love the seeds. 
 
Division 1: Kindergarten 3rd Place: Emily lsraels Pate's Creek Elementary Stockbridge, GA 
 
 Website of the Month: www.bellmuseum.org/distancelearning/watershed/watershed2.html 
 
SUNDAY 
 
MONDAY 
 
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 
 
Mr. Dipper Bird is concerned about the 
streams and waterways. Water covers over 75% of the Earth's surface and it is important to all livin9 thin9s. 
 
3 
 
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FRIDAY 
 
SATURDAY 
 
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Earth Day 
 
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NA TURE JOURNAL 
a.c-l, Wav-tex-, E-vex-~e-. 
Di~t_~ tV\0\V ~~ is 
MtlS_ ~l<ff NNiNO-~ 
-tPe. k.IClJeer CArole-? _av-texe-llc&porOvie-s r~ ~e-s of I\Jl.-.te.r._Q..f\d, -transpir_e-s .frolt\ -b:_us_,_-Lis ivt -the- ~e-ov.s s-Ut-t_e-___Ovi -t\-1is poivt-t~ ~.te-r_ -thm. ~e-s ivt -thee-low(s -til -the- ~-tiMS axe- 
~ ri# .for pr~ipi-tav-tion.. 
~-~J;ex-3.00!'Lt0lls b<Mt. 
-to E.ax:.-th_ru'\IL re&tm15 -to d.ie-s_Q_.f 1\JQ..-tex- or sups_ 
 :i;Q_-the- ~ov.vvi,. W.owl ~-t Ov_~QlM"~ ~\-1 c&op_o.f 
.ter -tat.e-s. ~, eLUl. ~v.. i~V\,J.f -t~e-_I'XLS pallv..iiOO. Ov-t ~_s~_of_-t_be0v0v-texe__!.tf-le-I...ir poJlv.-tim, -tra.s\-1 or e-~iuus_in. 0v ~e-, .fex--tiliz.e.rs _ or p.e-..s:tic..ius iYI. -the-_soil - ~ k~ -t~irlt. -t\-1is_a..f~s -theNOv-te-r..? Wri-te- av_.s-t.or.<tr amv..-t -the. life- o.f ~:t~ople--t. ~-l.axe-_iis ~ex-ie!\C&S OvS iLhMe-Ls -t\-1rowoh -tbe._w---te.r e-~le-? Doe-s i-t e.n.c.,Q-tex-_~_ pollu..-tiQI'L?~ is -t~-texv.suL~\-1ile- i-t is_oo..la..ru.( C-to SIVi~_dxi~1 ~J~_pltlf\.{;1? 
 
VIP of the Month: Most people remember Frankl in D. Roosevelt as the president that led 
the United States out of the Great Depression. But he also was a leader in water conservation . In 1937 , he created the Okefenokee National W ildlife Refu9e. This protects most of the Okefenokee Sw amp from l099i n9 and development. 
 
Fact: 39,090 gallons of water are 
needed to manufacture a new car and its four tires. 
 
Where can you find an ocean - 
without water? 
 
~ ~ 
 
~. 
 
~ _ 
 
~ 
 
On a map! 
 
 hough the climate of the earth is vitally important to us, most people know very little about t. We listen to weather reports to know if we should bring an umbrella to school or if it 
will be cold enough to need a jacket, but we don't really think about whether it will be hot in July or cold in January. 
Forests and other ecosystems help to maintain earth's climate. The main driving force of climate on the earth is, of course, the sun. The heat provided by the sun warms the earth during the day, and our atmosphere helps the earth retain some of that heat so it doesn't get too cold at night. But beyond this very simple explanation are more complicated interactions that the sun's heat has with the oceans and the forests on land. What are some of the influences on climate on your site? Where does it tend to be the hottest? Coolest? Dampest? Driest? 
 
What affects the climate in your own backyard? 
CfN tittt ift 4f'fi8ft 
 
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~ Purple Coneflower This beautiful native flower provides abundant nectar for 
many butterflies. This plant is widely used in herbal medicine to boost the immune system. 
 
Whit Davis Elementary 
Division 2: 1st and 2nd Grade 3rd Place: Ethan Cochran 
Maranatha Christian School Oakwood, GA 
 
 l !)'/'/ "' \J~~__J,) 
 
, 
~ 
 
-.J 
 
SUNDAY 
 
MONDAY 
 
1 
 
2 
 
8 
 
9 
 
15 
 
16 
 
22 
 
23 
 
29 
 
30 
 
Website of the Month: www.funbrain.com/weather 
 
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 
 
3 
 
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6 
 
SATURDAY 
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NATURE JOURNAL 
aloriO{).S SIM1.1 
!{!me. ~(). evex -tlno~ cll?o().{; -t~ i~por-tQ.\.C- of -t~.....sW'\.? Wi-tlnou.-t -the._sW'\., {;\-lexe. kJOlAlfi ~ V\LLiif'e. OV\. ea.r-t~-LF\o.A-ts M<LbeL-t 
w . QJ'IIL sW'\.li'3~L-to 
Wi-t\no().{; plan-ts I!J:e. ~lAlii not 1-twe. foot(, c,leQJ1..._lir, or ~ IMd.ic.in.e-s _QJ'IIL 
othe.r--rro~s -tba.Lc,o~e. 
fr~ plan-t ::fhe.....sWl w.v.se.s eva.pora..-tion. ~-~-tex, IVhic,b_lQ..{;e.r r_ekW'l'\S as prroipi:ta.iion.. W.e,_ Qlso_{;~-t~ .sM. for _IViM. Cffi, how IV M~O't) Q.. MOl s~ex ~u.ud AVJ.ti d.m'-t for~ {;~ c,~ of se.ason.s, raivU?ov.Js , QJ'IIL -t~ -tius a..-t -t~ ~h C10i-th hlp of -t~ ~} _ 'tJri-te. a.Je.Hex -toJ;~ -tWMtiNO i:t__.f-ac a.lU ba.-t - i-t d..oe.s_.for -t~ a.r-th ~e. -te.ll a. s-tor't)_of 
-~().( f_fulori-te.__s~ ~ 
or re.c.al.-t--.S~iruo--ot'-a.. rail'\.l?ow. 
 
VIP of the Month: Beatrix Potter was born in 1866 in London, En~land . She is known 
today for her wonderful children's stories. Just about everyone is familiar with the tale of Peter Rabbit. Duri n~ her later years she was widely respected throu~hout En~land as an expert on fun~i . 
 
What is the happiest thin~ in the sky? 
The sun . It's always beam i n~ ! 
 
> 
 
 Imagine going to a forest and walking along a wildflower trail to a lake. Do you think you would see pretty flowers and a sparkling, calm lake? When we think about nature, one of the things that we like is that nature is beautiful and it makes us feel good. Healthy natural ecosystems improve the way we feel. The famous naturalist John Muir once said this about nature: 
 
What do you like about your ecosystem? 
 
" C//,..,b the "'1ountain.s and 3et the;r 3ood t/d/n:JS. !Vature 's ?eac.e w/1/ llow /nto you as sun.sh/ne llows /nto tree.s. "!he w/nds w/1/ blow the;r own l're.shness /nto you ... wh/le CAreS w/1/ dro? ol'l' 1/('e autu,..,n lea/e.S.  
 
,Mhens Montessori Schoo\ 
 
(answers located at bollom of the page) 
 
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~ Beebalm is a member of the mint family, and its leaves make a fra9rant tea. 
~ It prefers plenty of sun and moist soil. Alon9 with hummin9birds, the bri9ht red 
~ flowers also attract native bees, butterflies, and other nectar-lovin9 insects. 
 
Wheeler County 4-H 
Division 3: 3rd and 4th Grade 3rd Place: Christa Anderson Royston Elementary Royston, GA 
 
 
 
 Website of the Month: www.kidsgardening.com 
 
SUNDAY 
 
MONDAY 
 
TUESDAY 
 
Fact: Length of time it takes to break down: plastics and 
aluminum cans take 500 years; organic materials take 6 months. 
 
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 
 
1 
 
2 
 
FRIDAY 
3 
 
SATURDAY 
4 
 
5 
 
6 
 
7 
 
8 
 
9 
 
10 
 
11 
 
12 
 
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16 
 
17 
 
18 
 
19 26 
 
20 
 
21 
 
Summer Solstice 
(First Day of Summer) 
 
27 
 
28 
 
22 
 
23 
 
24 
 
25 
 
29 
 
30 
 
Fact: It can take up to 500 years for 
certain plastics and aluminum cans to break down while organic materials take only 6 months. 
 
NATURE JOURNAL 
~--+-1'hfKe._is~-tw...ll..lLaxoW'l.d,_(&S . ~--~ lh!te._~ ever~m -t~-tiM__W 
laoLr_ea.ll~ c-los~~-a,Ubi~_-t 
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ot lfii:'f'v--~~\-lirur- spe~iflc,_~-t -t~ 
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ot pieA:w-e. ~ tii.sebJer~..J\frite._a, 
~~~ ~~ ~-t lite._~s-""'-""'-~ 
rw--tw-e. kb'tters Y.a.ve._d.one. in. -t~ - pa,s-t. Be.lolv is {l, rw--tw-e. lxub 11~ 
-t~ .fQ..It\O(J.S poet, Bas~, {l,S Q..\. 
ot a~e. of 01'\..e. -t~ M-iu.re. 
kKtti~ !-tub is {l, ja_plli\.e.se. ~ of poeb~ -t\-l{l,-Lis USWlll~ 
s eve.n.-tun. s'trla..l?le.s loruo- ~ 
MII\II\OI'\.l~ ~e. -t~ru lin.e.s, 1-Jit~ - -t~ firs-t o..rvila.s-t liM~~ 
tive. s 'trla..l?le.s o..rvl-t~ ~e. ~irur- seve.\.. ~o~ kKttirur- a, 
ot Wllb or o-t~ -t~ -poeih a.l?oo.-t 
-t~ be.a.-t~ ~u irLM-tw-e. all axO!IJ'\/L ~ 
Yellow rose. ~ Drop 01'\..e.-~~ in.s ile.n.u: 
Roax ot IVQ..-tertall. 
-Bas~ 
 
VIP of the Month: William Bartram, America's first native-born naturalist, 
started his exploration of Georgia while it was still a British colony in 1763. He discovered many new species including the gopher tortoise, black vulture, flame azalea, and the rare Franklinia tree. 
 
Which colors do you color the sun 
and the wind? 
 
~ 
 
~ 
.c:S 
 
~ 
 
The s~n rose and 
the wtnd blue. 
 
"SJ<14lE<~J li!OJ4l <~lEW JO dn.asop "PJ!ql5u!wwn4 p<~li!OJ4l Aqn~ - PJ!CIIIUIWWnH " 
z uMop ap,sdn J<~MOIJ JO J<~lU<~:> - JeMoyeuoo 15u!M PU!4 uo lodsaA<J - ~~~ow 11doJ;,eo "l L'l'll SJI'INI o~ &JeMSuy 
 
 Do you think that the plants that live in your neighborhood have always lived there? Just like some people have moved into your neighborhood from far away places like France or Mexico- so have some plants. INTRODUCED SPECIES are plants 
 
and animals that developed in one place and have been moved to another. People 
 
- 
 
have "introduced" them to their new habitat. 
 
NATIVE SPECIES are those that developed in a 
 
particular place and have lived there for a very 
 
Are there any INTRODUCED 
 
long time. Some well know plants in Georgia 
 
or INVASIVE species in 
 
that are INTRODUCED include peaches (from China), peanuts and corn (from South 
 
your backyard? 
 
America), and oranges (from Southeast Asia). 
 
Sometimes when humans move plants or animals from one country to another, scary things happen. While some introduced species are very useful, others are truly invaders and are 
called INVASIVE SPECIES. With 
no natural enemies, they can push out the native plants and animals and can be a very serious threat to ecosystems. 
 
Stone Mountain Elementary 
 
~ 
 
Trumpet Creeper is a native vine found in nearly the entire breeding range 
 
g,2;;;; 
 
of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Robust and aggressive, it is best planted at the base of a fence or tree where it can be trimmed back. With support, it can 
 
~ grow 20m high with a main vine nearly lScm in diameter. Although some folks 
 
.P,-1 consider this plant a weed, it is a VERY valuable native hummingbird flower. 
 
Colham Ferry Elementary 
Division 4: 5th Grade 3rd Place: Max Gilbert Old Peachtree Montessori, Auburn, GA 
 
 SUNDAY 
3 10 17 24 
 
MONDAY 
4 11 18 25 
 
Website: The Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council http://www.gaeppc.org/ 
 
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 
 
FRIDAY 
 
SATURDAY 
 
1 
 
2 
 
5 
 
6 
 
7 
 
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NATURE JOURNAL 
:r:V\.Vetsive. pla.nts_ttre. often iV\.ttO~ tQLj2QSt"iive. 
r~ Vv'hek~ it kX1S .for exosiOV\. MV\.trol1 bea..t<tr1 or a. .food, sow-u .for a1.i~1 the. 
people. t\-1a.~ t~ ~e. dJtL V\.0-t ~e-M ~ 1-tlx~. _ V!'lfortW'\ltte.l<tr1 f2-la.cl_S tr~ 
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e,o-~s-t IVe.ll iV\. t V\.OV\.kiYe. ~t"-ta.ts. ~ tllt.e. 
ovex ~ita.is._o.f Ofbr V\Uive. 
_ FWtS MfL WA ~ Olbt of 
COI'\.ttol5__nva.,sjve.s o..re, ofW\. 
f2G.rlia..ll<tr r_e.s~& .for 
r!OJL-ts _be.M~ 
KW~A1 prive-t1 ~ 
tl o..re, SOM-e- M6or 
iVU~O..sive-s t_ba.t_JMs.l_p0f2Le. 
~5~ fu:tL~(b_oxe, 
CUla.tive. f2Wt1_~1r_lMNO"" iV\. ~ 0'1\JV\. hal?Jl~_o.n. in.vo..sive. spec-ie-s is iV\.ko~. 
- e._~(b ~ ckl~~ a.-t rSt1J?otl-l ~~~ 
axe-a. of~ ~e. tbis 
.l2i~1 _ba.tL' p!rui-Lis ~ .frolt\ 
-the. vex<tr b~Mit'lV0_,__1tJn:te. a. 
~or<tr aho~A-t -tne,_e-Kf2edi~_o.f 
~:tive. plai1-t' ho~n.e. kle-invo t~e\.~ex kl<tr c'UJ..J n.vtlsi . 
 
31 
 
VIP of the Month: Edward 0. Wilson , conservation biolo9ist and naturalist, 9rew up in 
Alabama in the 1930s. A fishin9 accident dama9ed his eyesi9ht when he was seven, and since that time he concentrated his studies on insects. He is now a world expert on ants and biodiversity. 
 
Why did the kudzu 
plant cross the ~ ~ play~round?  ~- ~ - 
 
To ~et to the other slide ! 
 
 Attention K-5 Teachers! 
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and The Environmental Resources Network, Inc. (T.E.R.N .) encourage you and your students to compete in the Eighteenth Annual Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest. This popular conservation art contest provides a unique opportunity for students to explore the wonders of Georgia's native plant and animal species through environmental artwork. 
 
Native species are those that naturally occur in Georgia, unlike exotic species that were introduced from other places. They come in all shapes and sizes- from the large, moss-covered live oak tree of South Georgia (our State Tree) to the little grass frog, the smallest frog species in North America! There are approximately 3,600 species of nongame plants, 950 nongame vertebrate species and countless invertebrate species of nongame wildlife in Georgia. In fact, more than 95% of Georgia's vertebrate wildlife species are considered nongame! 
 
Start with a Local Contest at Your School 
While following the Poster Contest Rules and Guidelines, your students will depict artistic drawings of their findings and will compete at the local level in a school-wide poster contest. First, second, and third place winners will be chosen from your school's entries for the local level contest at your school. All participating students can receive place award ribbons and a Give Wildlife a Chance certificate. Participating schools will then choose one first place winner from each division and mail the winning entries to The State Botanical Garden of Georgia to compete in the state level contest. These entries will be comprised of four division categories described in the Poster Contest Rules and Guidelines section. Four state level winners will be chosen and presented awards after competition judging takes place. 
 
Poster Contest Rules and Guidelines 
Sponsorship and Judging The Eighteenth Annual Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest is sponsored by The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The State Botanical of Georgia and The Environmental Resources Network, Inc. (T.E.R.N.). The theme changes yearly, though the contest is an ongoing educational effort to help children and teachers gain awareness of Georgia's native plants and animals. Artists, as well as wildlife and plant professionals, judge the contest entries based on artistic interpretation, originality, visual impact, 
and contest theme. 
 
Eligibility 
 
 The contest is open to individual students (no group drawings) in Kindergarten through 51h grades. 
 
 Home school groups, public schools, and private schools are encouraged to participate. 
 
 Schools/groups may enter one poster from any or all divisions: 
 
Division 1: Kindergarten 
 
Division 3: Third and Fourth Grades 
 
Division 2: First and Second Grades 
 
Division 4: Fifth Grade 
 
 Each school/group may enter no more than a total of four posters to the state level contest (one per division). 
 
Size and Format 
 Outside dimensions cannot exceed 17"x 22" (vertically or horizontally) 
 Collages and other three-dimensional artwork are not suitable for this contest. 
 Please DO NOT use glue or staples,tag-board or on white art paper (no matting). 
 DO NOT FOLD. Submit art flat in a package or roll into a mailing tube.  If you want the students' entries returned, you MUST include exact postage. 
Contest Rules 
1. While following the Poster Contest Rules and Guidelines, instruct your students to depict artistic drawings of their findings and arrange for a local competition at your school. 
2. Each entry must depict at least one native, nongame plant and animal of Georgia. 3. First, second, and third place winners should be chosen at the local level (refer to Contest 
Awards section). 
4. All participating students can receive place award ribbons and a Give Wildlife a Chance certificate. 
5. Only ONE school-wide winner from each division can be chosen to compete in the 
state level contest at The State Botanical Garden (refer to Eligibility section). State level entries are normally the artwork of the first place school winners. 6. All contest entries must adhere to the contest theme check www.georgiawildlife.com and www.uga.edu/bot garden, for this year's theme. 7. Avoid the use of game species (*those legally hunted, trapped, or fished) such as deer, turkey, raccoon, bobcat, squirrel, and Canada geese. 8. Do not include pictures of exotic, zoo animals. 9. Do not include people as the main focus. 
10. If necessary, please briefly describe the species depicted on the Poster Contest Entry Form. 
 
For additional Information and Entry Forms, please visit these websites: www.georgiawlldlife.com and www.uga.edu/botgarden, 
 
Or contact: Kitty Spivey 229-227-522 or Cora Keber 706-542-6156 
 
Kitty_Spivey@dnr.state.ga.us 
 
ckeber@uga.edu 
 
 EncouraQinQ Scientific Study with After-School Partnerships 
0 ur ho me, o ur Gard en Earth, is a treasure. Its ecosystems can provide valuable eco logical services such as pollination, air and water purification, climate control, soil production, recycling, pest and disease control, food production, and a genetic library. These "free services" can be impacted by human activity and impaired by poor societal choices. -==-=====:::::::::;;.====~ 
 
Garden Earth Naturalists supports teachers and 4-H agents in extending science instruction through after-school clubs. 
Garden Earth Naturalists (GEN) helps children (grades 3-5) understand the importance of these free services by studying, exploring and enhancing natural habitats on their school sites and in their surrounding communities. 
Guiding questions for investigation include: 0 What is the status of Earth's life support functions on you r after-school site? 0 How can you investigate the life support functions on your site 
or in your community? 
0 How can you improve or restore the life support functions on 
your site or in your community? 
To learn about Pollination, children can perform these activities:  Suga's 5 Bees Puppet Show  Pollination Game  Pollination Relay Race  Flower Inquiry: I wonder/ ID of 
floral parts  Insect Count and Flower 
Observation 
Garden Earth Naturalists helps children understand earth's ecosystems, value the services provided by these ecosystems, and take positive actions through stewardship and service learning projects to protect these ecosystems. 
 
What club leaders say about GEN: "Here at Fowler Drive we have had as many as 33 on the roster at a time. I still have a waiting list and students ask me every day if they can get in "science club." .... It's great to see students and teachers having "fun " doing science." (Halley Page, Fowler Drive Elementary, Cla rke County) 
"The training program has been great and a lot of fun! We participated in many of the hands-on activities just the way we would do them with the children at our school clubs. I was truly excited to be selected as a pilot instructor of the GEN program." Susan Goldman, Madison County Extension Agent 
How can you or your school join the Garden Earth Naturalists? A workshop, with sustained contact, will train and support teachers and paraprofessionals to implement GEN science clubs at schools. The workshop will be offered at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, with follow-up at the participating schools. Participating schools receive a kit with supplies to implement the GEN activities. Participating teachers will receive a manual with all the GEN activities and can receive 3 PLU credits. 
For more information about Garden Earth Naturalists contact: 0 Dr. Carol A. Hoffman, Cu rator of Education and Outreach 
Georgia Museum of Natural History, Univ. of Georgia, 706-542-2280  hoffman@uga.edu 0 Ms. Anne Shenk, Director of Education 
State Botanica l Garden of Georgia, Univ. of Georgia, 706-542-6158  ashenk@uga.edu 0 Ms. Amanda Marable, Extension 4-H Specialist, 
Curriculum and Staff Development, 706-542-4444  mmarable@uga.edu 
 
 Division 1: Kindergarten 1st Place: Rebekkah Carpenter 
Tift Area Academy Chula, GA 
 
Division 2: 1st and 2nd Grade 1st Place: Jordan Sullivan Dacula Academy Dacula, GA 
 
Division 3: 3rd and 4th Grade 1st Place: Mattie Allen East Newton Elementary Covington, GA 
 
Division 4: Sth Grade 1st Place: Elxus Spradlin Heard County Elementary 
Franklin, GA 
 
Division 1: Kindergarten 2nd Place: Isabell Adair 
Centralhatchee Elementary Franklin, GA 
 
Division 2: 1st and 2nd Grade 2nd Place: Sybille Foucart St. Joseph Catholic School Athens, GA 
 
 Division 3: 3rd and 4th Grade 2nd Place: Sarah Grace Rogers 
Ephesus Elementary Roopville, GA 
Division 2: 1st and 2nd Grade 3rd Place: Ethan Cochran Maranatha Christian School Oakwood, GA 
 
Division 4: 5th Grade 2nd Place: Willie Taylor 
Bleckley Elementary Cochran, GA 
 
Division 3: 3rd and 4th Grade 3rd Place: Christa Anderson Royston Elementary Royston, GA 
 
Division 1: Kindergarten 3rd Place: Emily lsraels Pate's Creek Elementary Stockbridge, GA 
Division 4: 5th Grade 3rd Place: Max Gilbert Old Peachtree Montessori 
Auburn, GA 
 
 Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest Partners 
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Nongame Conservation Section 
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia The Environmental Resources Network, Inc. (T.E.R.N.) 
Garden Earth Naturalist Partners 
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia The Georgia Museum of Natural History 
Georgia 4-H 
 
Calendar Credits 
Project Mana9er: Anne Shenk Text: 
Carol Hoffman Curator of Education, GA Museum of Natural History Heather Fleming Education Specialist, State Botanical Garden of Georgia 
Anne Shenk Director ofEducation, State Botanical Garden ofGeorgia Kitty Spivey Sr. Public Affairs Specialist, Georgia Department of Natural Resources 
Editor: Debbie Mitchell Artwork/Desi9n/Layout: William Reeves 
Many Thanks to our Sponsors 
Jackson EMC Georgia 4-H The Environmental Resources Network, Inc. (T.E.R.N.) The Teacher Quality Higher Education Program Earth Share 
 
AT THE UNIVE R SITY OF GEO R G IA 
 
Friends of GeMgia's Nongame Con1ervaUon Section 
 
'lRGIA f,] a;~ 
NATURAL HISTORY 
 
Earth Share 
OF GEORGIA 
 
Copyright  2010 University of Georgia