Hi Green Kids!Welcome to the Green Kids Club Newsletter where you can keep up with the Green Kids Club happenings each month, learn some new things, and challenge yourself as a true Green Kid ambassador for the planet!
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Mireya Mayor
Mireya Mayor is an incredible scientist! She has been on many remarkable adventures, ranging from the study of enigmatic primates in lush rainforests to the quest for hidden creatures in remote jungles. She even discovered a new species of lemur! Dr. Mayor's talents and unwavering dedication played a vital role in convincing the leader of Madagascar to safeguard the habitat of a new lemur species by establishing it as a national park. We had the privilege of asking her a series of questions. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview by clicking HERE!
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Wild Green Kids Club
Winter Contest
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Battelle Climate Challenge Contest
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U.S. students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in a challenge focusing on climate resilience in their communities. The task involves researching local climate hazards like drought, wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat, and developing an action plan to enhance community resilience.
The top prize includes presenting the winning poster at the Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference in Washington, D.C., plus a $5,000 STEM grant for a community organization or school.
Click HERE for more information so you can join this exciting challenge!! |
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What are we working on now? NEW BOOKS! We are delighted to be working with Doug Smith, project leader for the Wolf Restoration Project in Yellowstone on TWO new books about wolves. One tells the story of wolves coming back into Yellowstone National Park and one is about the white wolves of Yellowstone. We are excited about these and some of our proceeds will go to the amazing non-profit,
Wolves of the Rockies.
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| Our books are now on Kindle and Amazon! |
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Stories We Have Been Following
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Plastic Recycling - Help from A Strange Source
Waxworms, which are actually the larvae of wax moths, have a surprising ability that could help with our plastic problem. Scientists have discovered that these little creatures can eat and break down a type of plastic called polyethylene, which is commonly used in shopping bags and packaging. What makes waxworms unique is that they have special bacteria in their gut that can digest this plastic, turning it into ethylene glycol—a substance that breaks down much faster in the environment.
This is not being used widespread yet, but this discovery is really exciting because polyethylene is one of the most difficult plastics to recycle. By studying how waxworms do this, scientists hope to find new ways to break down plastic waste more efficiently. This could be a big step in tackling the issue of plastic pollution, as it could help us recycle plastics that are currently hard to process, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.Click here to read more.
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Photo courtesy of Jacob Krank
CLOSE CALLJustin Schwabedissen, a bear biologist in Grand Teton National Park, said park authorities think Grizzly 610 was hit by a vehicle on October 9. Grizzly 610 is the most famous offspring of Grizzly 399. For awhile that day, it seemed she might not be alright. She lay quite still all day, finally stirring just before dusk.
"She seemed completely worn out," said Jacob Krank, a wildlife photographer who was there that Monday afternoon near Moran. "Finding her gone by the next morning wouldn't have been shocking."
Yet, 610 did get up that Monday night, gathering her cubs and crossing the highway south towards the Snake River. This left those who follow Grand Teton National Park's wildlife, especially the grizzlies, anxious all night. Just a few days earlier, they had witnessed or seen footage of her navigating the Snake River in a misty backdrop with her three cubs. Thankfully she was spotted with her three cubs the following day, moving without any obvious signs of injury.
Schwabedissen said some bruins are hardy enough to take a car in stride. “Bears are tough and resilient animals,” he said. “Whether it’s Grand Teton or Yellowstone, bears have been struck by cars, some of them pretty hard strikes, and the bear’s able to work through any injuries it has and continue to live a long life. That’s been documented many times.” But he reminded everyone driving in bear country to slow down and keep an eye out for them as they continue to get ready for hibernation.
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This month we celebrate Thanksgiving, a time of gratitude and family gatherings. It's also an opportunity to be mindful of our environmental impact. Making your celebration eco-friendly is easier than you might think. It's all about making simple, sustainable choices that can significantly reduce waste and energy use, while still enjoying this cherished holiday.
Here are 5 Easy Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving:
1. Buy Local and Organic: Shop for your Thanksgiving feast at local farmers' markets. Choose organic produce and free-range meats to support sustainable farming practices.
2. Use Reusable Tableware: Ditch disposable plates, cups, and utensils. Using your own dishes or renting them can greatly reduce plastic waste.
3. Cook Responsibly: Plan your menu to minimize food waste. Use energy-efficient cooking methods and appliances where possible.
4. Decorate Naturally: Use natural elements like leaves, pinecones, and branches for decoration instead of buying plastic or paper decorations.
5. Compost and Recycle: After your feast, compost food scraps and recycle any eligible waste, reducing the amount of trash heading to landfills. |
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November Animal & Environment Observances
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Photo in honor of National Jellyfish Day!
Month: (Alpha Order)
- Adopt a Turkey Month
- Manatee Awareness Month
2023 Weeks: (Alpha Order)
- National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week - November 5-11, 2023
2023 Days: (Date Order)
- Jellyfish Day - November 3
- Bison Day - November 4, 2023 (First Saturday in November)
- World Numbat Day - November 4, 2023 (First Saturday of November)
- American Frog Day - November 10
- World Anteater Day - November 19
- Turtle Adoption Day - November 27
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Featured Environmental
Non-Profit/NGO
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Mountain Journal (MoJo) is an organization based in Bozeman, Montana, and dedicated to reporting on environmental and wildlife issues in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Yellowstone is one of the few places in the world where nature is still largely untouched, and MoJo works hard to keep it that way. They report on what's happening in the park, from the challenges it faces to the successes in conservation. Using engaging stories and beautiful photography, MoJo helps people understand the importance of preserving Yellowstone. They're all about educating others and encouraging actions to ensure this unique ecosystem remains safe and healthy for future generations. MoJo is perfect for anyone who's passionate about nature and wants to see Yellowstone continue to thrive.
Click here to go to their website to learn how you can support their efforts.
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| This month we are giving away 3 of our NOAH text books, The Belize Trash Monster. Noah Text® is a unique text display method designed to aid struggling readers, dyslexics, and English-language learners by highlighting the linguistic and orthographic structures of words, such as syllables and long vowels, without altering the words themselves. This approach, rooted in the science of reading, improves decoding, fluency, and comprehension, helping readers see sound-parts within words, thereby enhancing overall reading skill and confidence. For your copy, be one of the first three people to email us at contactus@greenkidsclub.com with the headline "NOAH and the Belize Trash Monster." |
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We want kids to join our Wild Green Kids Club! Children learn about animals and their environment and they can win books and toys through fun contests! Click on the link to find out more!
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About the author
Green Kids Club