ECOSYSTEMS--DESERT Listed below are selected teaching resources from BLM national, state, and field offices, listed alphabetically by title. See also these ecosystems listings: General, Arctic, Aquatic, Forest, Riparian, and Wetlands To find items for more general audiences, see our Rivers and Riparian Areas listing under Students and Explorers. To find listings organized by states, visit Programs in Your Area. To search the full text of the Learning Landscapes website, visit the search page. To return to the Teaching Resources subject list, select this link. BLM California Needles Education Programs State page Information on education programs offered by the Needles, CA, field office, on cultural and natural resources and Leave No Trace; also includes link to Desert Junior Ranger booklet. http://www.ca.blm.gov/needles/needles_out_reach.html Lokern Grazing Study Project State page Describes a study on the effects of livestock grazing on a community of species at risk in the San Joaquin Valley. http://www.ca.blm.gov/bakersfield/lokerngzpj/index.html A Great Basin Full of Activities Science & Children, May 1995, 31 - 32 A dozen activities on Great Basin ecology and management, covering effects of salt on plants, water conservation and evaporation rates. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/the_big_empty/classroom.html California's Eastern Sierra Institute 1998 BLM Environmental Education feature Describes partnership program to introduce Los Angeles high school students and science teachers to the ecology of eastern California. http://www.blm.gov/education/feature/1998/ca/feature.html Desert Discovery Center Education Center Homepage Describes education center in Barstow, CA, that offers formal and informal programs on natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Mojave Desert. http://www.discoverytrails.org/welcome1.html Environmental Education Days outdoor school Describes one-day outdoor laboratories on desert ecosystems at Snake River Birds of Prey Area's Dedication Point Interpretive Site. http://www.birdsofprey.blm.gov/education/index.htm - eedays Environmental Technology is an Ancient Science Based on Science & Children article, May 1993 pp. 21 - 28 Explains ancient methods of adapting to dry climates employed by a thriving agricultural community along the Rio Ojo Caliente in New Mexico 500 years ago.  Includes poster and classroom activities. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/hupobi/index.html Join the Club Science & Children, March 1997, p. 35 Students join one of four "clubs" representing different adaptation methods used by desert plants and research plant members of the club. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/classroom.html Keeping Cool Classroom Activity from  Science & Children, Feb 2001 poster back In this activity, students test the effectiveness of various ways animals keep cool in desert environments. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojaveposterback2.html - Anchor-3936 Life in a Pothole Classroom Activity from  Science & Children, March 1999, p. 39 Students are introduced to potholes and life within them. They speculate how various life forms come to populate potholes and create a classroom pothole to study. http://www.blm.gov/education/colplateau/classroom/ Life in the Desert Classroom Activity from  Science & Children, March 1999, p. 39 In this activity, students practice water conservation techniques similar to those a desert animal might employ to cope with scarce and unpredictable water sources. http://www.blm.gov/education/colplateau/classroom/ - Life%20in%20the%20Desert Living in the Rain Shadow 1997 BLM Environmental Education feature. Describes 3-day Sand Canyon Environmental Education Program (SEEP) where fifth graders visit a riparian area in California's  Mojave desert and learn about the region's history. For more information, contact BLM field office, Ridgecrest, CA. http://www.blm.gov/education/feature/feature3.html Mapping Deserts Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb. 2001, p. 33 In this activity, students research, map and report on the world's deserts, including subtropical, coastal, interior, and rain shadow deserts. Correlated to National Geography Standard. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mystery_of_the_mesa/classroom.html Mixing it Up Classroom Activity from Science & Children, Feb 2001 poster back In this activity students examine the composition of soil and make their own soil mixtures to understand the process of soil formation and how soils contribute to plant growth. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojaveposterback2.html Planning a Conservation Community Science & Children, March 1997, 35 Students create a desert community that protects important desert resources; a set of questions guides their design. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/classroom.html Snake River Birds of Prey EE Days 1997 BLM Environmental Education feature Describes educational tour of BLM's Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area; activities at 4 stations, and a scavenger hunt. http://www.blm.gov/education/feature/feature6.html Some Like it Hot: The Sonoran Desert Ecosystem Science & Children, March 1997, 29 - 36 Discusses the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, culture, plant and animal adaptations to extreme temperatures, and management challenges. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/index.html The Big Empty: The Great Basin Ecosystem Science & Children, May 1995, 25 - 32 Explores diverse ecology of Great Basin, and ecosystem management approach for desert environment. Includes activities and poster. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/the_big_empty/index.html The Mojave Desert: A Place in the Sun Based on Science & Children article, February 2001 Examines the rich, complex and fragile ecosystem of the Mojave Desert. Focuses on the plants and animals and the diversity of life and habitats contained. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/index.html The Question in Brookdale Science & Children, March 1997, posterback By role-playing, students learn the complexities of accommodating competing demands of desert land use while protecting resources. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/posterback.html Waxy Leaves Science & Children, March 1997, posterback Activity illustrates how waxy leaves prevent water from escaping and help desert plants retain moisture. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/some_like_it_hot/posterback.html Weed Invaders Classroom Activity from Science & Children, February 2000 p. 33 - 34 Students set up plant competitions in the classroom to illustrate how weeds can threaten native plants. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/mojave/mojave02a.html - Anchor-30184

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