What is Conservation agriculture?
This lesson introduces agricultural best management practices and launches student reflection on their role in conservation. Students will be able to 1) describe advantages and disadvantages of one best management practice 2) define two other conservation practices utilized by Illinois producers.
Earth as an Apple
This interactive lesson guides students to use an apple visualize and learn how portions of Earth’s surface are used and emphasizes the importance of our limited natural resource, soil. Students will be able to explain a pie chart representing Earth’s surface and how that area is used.
Lessons
These resources support educators in teaching conservation and agroecology across grade levels, providing the tools needed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
Leopold Conservation Award
This lesson introduces students to the Leopold Conservation Award and reinforces foundational knowledge about best management practices. At the end of the lesson, students will be able to summarize the outstanding and award-winning efforts of one Leopold Award Winner with supporting evidence.
Community Based Agriculture
The lesson will help students be able to research, connect, and apply geographic, economic, and policy data to current issues in food accessibility and agriculture regulations. Determine if their community is a food desert, define Community Based Agriculture, research statistical information about their communities and interpret local policies and apply them to agriculture enterprises
Understanding Climate
This lesson is to engage students in exploring Illinois climate characteristics and the impacts of climate change on agriculture. Through hands-on data collection and analysis of current climate conditions, students will track and
interpret key metrics such as temperature and precipitation averages, as well as their
departures from historical norms.
Conservation & Pumpkins
This is a station-based lesson that engages students in various activities to learn about conservation and pumpkins. Students will be able to 1) list at least two conservation practices utilized on pumpkin operations that can improve soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, etc. 2) recall at least three components and functions of pumpkin plants’ flowers 3) describe the role of pollinators in pumpkin growth and production and the connection to conservation practices.
Painting With Soils
This lesson will not only have students create paintings using soils but will also carry with them a appreciation for the intricate and colorful world beneath our feet, and a sense of responsibility to contribute to soil conservation efforts. Through the integration of art and science, this lesson seeks to inspire a deeper understanding of soils and a commitment to preserving the beauty and functionality of our environment.
Earth as an Apple
Have students to complete the worksheet with a partner or small group. At the end of class, wrap up the lesson by summarizing the lesson. The answer key for the worksheet can be used as a guide. This will help students to be able to explain a pie chart representing Earth’s surface and how that area is used.
Worksheets
Our worksheets complement every lesson, providing students with structured ways to actively engage with vital conservation topics and deepen their environmental understanding.
Leopold Conservation Award
For students to complete notes as the Leopold Conservation Award Story video plays or to use as a discussion guide following the video. Play the Leopold Conservation Award Story video. After, lead or support small group or class discussion related to the questions in the worksheet.
Community Based Agriculture
This worksheet is designed to help students explore how community based farming can impact local access to fresh food, especially in areas known as food deserts. Through research, reflection, and real-world data, students analyze community demographics, evaluate challenges and solutions related to urban agriculture, and examine local policies that affect farming.
Earth as a Apple
A great way to turn this lesson into a hands on activity is put the students in small groups and give them an apple to help them visualize how Earth’s surface is used and how much soil the world has and can go with the Worksheet above.
Activities
Explore our hands-on activities that pair with each lesson, allowing students to investigate conservation topics in an interactive and engaging way.
Community Based Agriculture
This activity supports the final part of the worksheet by guiding students to investigate real Illinois communities and their local laws related to farming. Using provided census data and municipal code links, students research their assigned community to understand how local policies either support or limit community-based agriculture.
Conservation & Pumpkins
This includes stations for students to explore and begin learning about pumpkin plant structure and conservation practices for pumpkin operations. The student-led learning activity is intended to be an introduction to these topics and foster curiosity leading into future lessons about plant structure, vegetable production, etc.
Painting With Soils
Students will get to create their own posters with eye-catching designs and sharing a message about the importance of conservation. They can use colors, drawings, and even words to share their ideas! Students will have the chance to express what you've learned about forests and conservation in a fun and artistic way.