Whisper of the Woods - School in the Woods
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Whisper of the Woods
A SCHOOL IN THE WOODS MONTHLY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER – Vol. 2.3
Academy School District 20
January, 2020: May You Make One Person’s Life the Better for Knowing You
NATURALIST WRITING STAFF 2019-20 … Sponsor / Editor: Mr. BXB
n Sophia A., Connor B., Tommy C., Dominick G., Maive H., Morgan H., Ben J.,
Chelsea O., Samantha S., Cole S., Emma T., Annya W., Luke W., Breck Y.
Australia’s Brush Fire
By Connor B.
The brush fires in Australia were mainly started by lightning and harsh weather conditions.
However, some people have also been arrested for arson, which means that they started a
fire on purpose. Harsh climate conditions are what really provided the fuel for the fires to
spread.
Before the fires even started, Australia was experiencing its hottest and driest year on record
in all of Australia’s history. The average temperature for Australia during the summer is 30०c
{86०f} and 15०C {59०F} in winter. This past December has been the warmest ever recorded.
There were 11 consecutive days in December-January that were over 40०C. Not only is it the
hottest December on record, it was the driest December on record.
See this video link: Bushfires in Australia: What ignited the deadly crisis
People in the U.S are concerned about these massive brush fires killing a huge population of
animals. It is estimated that over 1 billion animals have died, including 25,000 koalas, 10,000
feral camels, and an unknown number of kangaroos, dingo dogs, and wombats. The U.S.
federal government sent firefighters to help combat Australia’s brush fires. The United States
has not done this since 2010. Canada also sent firefighters to Australia.
Even with the large numbers of
people that have volunteered to help
rescue the many animals in need,
many more have died. So many
animals died that some species are
now endangered, like koalas.
Massive smoke produced by the fires
is also killing birds in large numbers.
Scientists believe a native
grasshopper may no longer exist.
Over 100 fires in Australia burned 24 million acres, destroying 2,000
homes. The biggest fire in Australia is bigger than Colorado Springs
(124,900 acres); the mega-fire on the continent is 860,000 acres.
Estimated cost to repair all the damage done is around 3.5 billion
dollars. Air quality is very bad in Sydney. It is so smoky, it’s as if you
have just smoked 19 cigarettes. Interesting fact: the smoke from the
fires creates its own weather like thunder and lightning.
What You Can Do: You can donate money to organizations
throughout Australia. You can make things to sell and organize
donations to help.
Australia Incendies (Wildfires)
By Ben J.
Ello, mate! You’re right, Australia was founded by the British in January 1770. Just now,
however, there's a continent load of fires. Twenty-eight people have died so far and 2000
homes are gone. These fires can literally turn you orange. Sydney's air is as bad as smoking
more than a dozen cigarettes. Vox also says a staggering 1 billion animals are dead,
including kangaroos, koalas, and most importantly the national bird: emus.
From SITW:
• Morgan’s opinion of the fire is that “people should stop global warming or stop
contributing to global warming.”
• Dominick thinks: “It could help burn brush away so it doesn't happen again, but it’s
also killing wildlife that could go extinct.”
• Mr. BXB believes: “This is totally devastating, not only for the people of today, but also
for all the species lost to past and future generations.”
All in all, a tragic loss that we all hope never happens again. But it might if we don’t do
something now about global warming.
The History of Valentine’s Day
By Sophia A. and Cole S.
Have you ever wondered when and where Valentine's Day originated?
The old name for Valentine’s Day was originally St.
Valentine's Day, but we got lazy.
‘Lupercalia’ is held in mid-February. Exactly how does this
connect to this subject? Well, at the end of the 5th
century, Pope Galalaus changed this holiday to Valentine’s
Day.
Some say that the exact origin of Valentine’s Day is
unknown, although our best guess is that it was celebrated
in Rome and Norway, known as Lupercalia.
Here at SITW, we want our naturalists to feel welcomed all the time, so
we are going to celebrate a very special holiday which is Valentine’s
Day. We celebrate by making cards, doing crafts, and having a
wonderful holiday. Don't forget that Valentine’s Day is just around the
corner!
Save the Pangolins from Extinction
By Maeve H.
Did you know pangolins are going extinct? The main reason is poaching; even though
poaching is illegal, people still do it. Their scales are used in a traditional Chinese medicine
that some believe help with arthritis. Their meat is also popular for dishes in Sweden.
Do you know that the blue macaw went extinct in 2018? You know, your favorite character
from Rio Yup … gone! Say goodbye to your bird watching trip to Rio, because there are no
longer blue macaws there!
Then just two weeks ago the Chinese paddlefish went extinct. What can you do to help?
Parakeets!
By Chelsea O. and Annya W.
Parakeets! What an amazing thing! Parakeets are tropical birds. Did you know
that they are wild and house pets? They can lay up to eight eggs after mating. Parakeets
have two names: parakeets and budgies. However, budgies are bigger because they were
bred differently, but they are still parakeets. Parakeets do not live in Colorado, because they
prefer warm climates. Colorado is too cold for them. Only house parakeets live in Colorado.
The definition for parakeets is “a small parrot with predominantly green plumage and a long
tail.” The ordinary parakeet is naturally green, but the parakeet has been specially bred to a
wide span of colors. Parakeets will live up to 15 years. However, they will not live their full
lifespan if they get injured, sick, etc.
A common illness for the bird is a repository infection. Most parakeets in the wild would die
from this illness because they do not have medical care, but since house parakeets do have
vets they have a good chance of survival if you look for these symptoms: tail bobbing,
constant coughing, constant sneezing, not as playful as usual, or spends most of day on
ground instead of on a perch.
If your budgie is angry or annoyed or even scared, he will do a loud squawk. If the bird
squawks, realize what you are doing – you could be scaring or angering your bird!
Recycling Has a Purpose
By Chelsea O.
Everybody always says, “Recycle, recycle, recycle, recycle!” So, do you recycle? But what
exactly is that little can or water plastic bottle, or even a piece of paper, that you simply put in
a recycling bin going to do for the environment?
Well, factories take the items that you place in a bin and make them into something
completely new! They can make plastic into t-shirts, jackets, sleeping bags, etc. Maybe a nice
new t-shirt you’re wearing was once 10 used water bottles!
Paper is recycled into renewed paper, such as office paper, greeting cards, or newspapers.
However, it can also be recycled into napkins, paper towels, tissues, and cardboard. Soda
cans and soda can-tops can be recycled into more soda cans, not very exciting, but you can
also craft them into purses, bags, lanterns, and so much more.
Recycling isn’t the most interesting topic, but it can be made exciting. I like to make recycled
things into fun crafts, and if you’re a fellow bird owner like me, you’d be surprised by how
many bird toys you can make from plastic straws!
People need to recycle. If we don’t something bad is going to happen in the future, maybe not
to us, but to our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and it goes on and on… Realize
how a little thing you do can turn into a big thing that helps the world.
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