Teach Your Children Well—Try Backyard Conservation
United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
P.O. Box 2890
Washington, DC 20013
When it comes to helping your children learn about the environment, some of
the best and most meaningful lessons are right outside your door. And now there's a free booklet to help bring those lessons even closer to home.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) are offering a free 28-page "Backyard Conservation" booklet to help parents and children put some basic conservation practices to work in their backyards.
The booklet showcases 10 simple conservation practices for the backyard--terracing, tree planting, composting, mulching, wildlife habitat, wetlands, ponds, water conservation, nutrient management, and pest management.
"It's one thing to read about conservation in a classroom," Dave White, NRCS spokesperson, said, "but there's nothing like actually 'doing conservation' to help children really understand some of the basic principles of land care."
Another benefit: These conservation practices also can make your backyard a friendlier place for nature.
"As birds and other wildlife become more frequent visitors to your home, children can actually see how their land care actions can make a positive difference for the environment," White said.
Families can watch and learn together as birds, butterflies, and other wildlife stop to eat, get a drink, or even raise a family.
"Backyard Conservation can help turn anyone's backyard into an outdoor classroom that will be enjoyed for years to come," he said.
Call 1-888-LANDCARE (888-526-3227)--both the call and the booklet are free. You can also visit the Backyard Conservation here.
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