Concepts: Ecology, Education, Virtual Learning
Welcome to #ECOSHARE! This is a project I started to share environmental science concepts in a virtual environment. I designed these to be introductory videos for educators and learners hoping to lead inquiry projects. Find a subject you want to learn more about, watch the video and then go explore. On your own or with friends and family. There's a whole world out there!
What subjects do you want to learn more about? Send me an e-mail: oceandreas@gmail.com
Let's learn about sagebrush, an amazing (and smelly!) creature that has played a role in both human and non-human communities for a long time. You may know it from your kitchen pantry or your shelf of essential oils, but this plant is so much more than that. Today we will give a description of sagebrush, talk about its relationship to other organisms and introduce some of the threats that sagebrush faces in the modern era.
Caves are not as scary as they might seem! They are beautiful formations with a fascinating (and very long) history. Let's explore caves together where we'll learn about their formation and give names to some of the prominent structures we see inside.
Bermuda is home to a globally unique assortment of physical and biological features. As one of the most isolated islands on the planet, it is often a wonder that life was able to persist here at all. Yet here on our sandy beaches we see life thriving in its full force against the relentless onslaught of wind and waves. In this video we explore a section of Bermuda's coastline and ask and answer questions about the things we see along the way.
Dunes are a fascinating example of a system that is always changing. While change is an inherent part of all ecosystems, visiting the sand dunes of deserts and coasts allows you to see just how rapid that change can be. In fact, it was while studying sand dunes that modern botanists coined the term 'succession' to describe the recurring changes of plant communities through time. In this video, we explore the sand dunes of Ańo Nuevo State Park on the California coast and get to know some of the creatures who live there and how they adapt to this changing ecosystem!
Ferns are an ancient group of creatures that have been with our planet since before the dinosaurs. They have unique adaptations to help them survive and they play a critical role in supporting the ecosystems where they live. Check out this video and then go find some ferns near you. Hint: Rivers and forests are a good place to look!
Tide pooling is a super fun activity that you can do alone or with others. It is a good option for people practicing physical distancing while the pandemic is going on. There are tide pools all along the coasts of our oceans. They are often next to beaches so they are a great side trip if you are already headed to the beach. Hint: The best time to go tide pooling is during the Full Moon or New Moon! Watch the video to learn why.