Come along with me….Earth manners!

Children are naturally curious about nature and their environment.  Take a child outdoors and chances are they will start exploring under rocks and leaves, picking up sticks and searching for bugs.  The desire to explore and learn should be nurtured while also teaching children about respect for all living things and their environment.

This holiday weekend, while you are outside enjoying the lovely weather and taking part in the 4^th of July festivities, don’t forget to use your “Earth manners”.  Earth manners are a simple set of “rules” that help ensure that while you are exploring the great outdoors you are also respecting the environment that you are visiting. 

Earth manners

• Do not disturb wildlife.  Follow this simple rule - look, learn, leave alone.
• Do not pick wildflowers, cut branches from trees or otherwise destroy plants.
• Do not carve or draw on trees or rocks.
• Be careful with fire.
• Be careful not to litter and try to pick up any litter left by others.
• “Take only memories, leave only footprints” - leave an area in the same condition, or better, than when you got there.

Discuss Earth manners as a family this weekend before heading out the door.  Or better yet have your kids brainstorm and come up with their own set of rules and why they think they are important.  Have a fun and safe 4^th of July exploring the great outdoors!

Reading Connections
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.Barraclough, S. 2007. Respecting Our World. Black Rabbit Books.
Bruchac, J. 1991. Keepers of the Animals: Native American Stories and Wildlife Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Bruchac, J. 1997. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native American Stories and Earth Activities for Children. Fulcrum Publishing.
Dr. Seuss. 1971. The Lorax. Random House Children’s Books.
Galko, F. 2004. Earth Friends at Home. Heinemann.

Gile, J. and T. Heflin. 1989. The First Forest. JGC/United Publishing Corps.

Green, J. and M. Gordon. 2005. Why Should I Protect Nature? Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.

Guillain, C. 2008. Caring for Nature (Help the Environment). Heinemann Library.
Madden, D. 1986. 1993. The Wartville Wizard. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.Schimmel, S. 2002. Children of the Earth…Remember. T&N Children's Publishing.
Schimmel, S. 1994. Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home. T&N Children's Publishing.

Tafuri, N. 1987. 1987. Do Not Disturb. HarperCollins Publishers.