Welcome to Climate Kids Connects! We are so glad you are here. As you may have heard, the Earth needs our help. Our global climate is changing and this will impact our communities, both human and natural. This is a big problem and it will take all of us thinking creatively to come up with solutions. On today's blog, we are going to focus on a group of animals that play a key role in the food web - carnivores!
Welcome to Climate Kids Connects!
For today's edition we are going to be exploring a group of animals that play a key role in the food web - carnivores. Carnivores, or animals that eat meat, come in many different shapes and sizes, and are specially adapted to their environment. These adaptations make them skilled predators - especially in the eyes of their prey!
Carnivores are important links in the ecosystem as they help control prey populations. As the climate changes, increased temperatures, changes in water availability, and wildfires will impact where carnivores can live. The activities below will explore how climate change is impacting carnivores and what you can do to help.
Educational Videos
Take a look “Thru the Lens” of camera-traps to learn about wildlife found in the San Dieguito River Valley and why these photos are key to conservation planning.
Join National Park Service Conservation Biologist Samantha Wynns to learn about "herpetofauna" monitoring at Cabrillo National Monument.
Learn about how the San Diego Natural History Museum explores biodiversity in order to better understand the impacts of climate change - and how you can help!
Time to grab your nature journal! In this video, Climate Science Alliance team member Alex leads you through an observational exercise featuring different types of carnivore skulls and pelts and their characteristics.
Activities
Click photos for additional activity instructions.
Coyotes and other large animals play an important predatory role in many ecosystems. As temperatures get warmer, and the landscape gets drier, these animals are forced to move closer to urban areas to find water and resources. Get inspired to help with this fun craft!
Take your nature journal with you on your next walk to map out your neighborhood! In doing so, you can gain a better understanding of wildlife connectivity. Learn the simple steps to this activity from Climate Science Alliance Affiliated Artist Audrey Carver.
Los coyotes son omnívoros importantes en el ecosistema que ayudan a regular las poblaciones de otros animales. Se encuentran en muchos países de América del Norte y del Sur y se enfrentan a escasos recursos y pérdida de hábitat ante el cambio climático y la urbanización.
Hear the Kumeyaay story of the Coyote and the Rabbit, as told by Stan Rodriguez. This video is part of the Learning Landscapes curriculum produced by the Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy.
Dive Deeper
The Climate Science Alliance proudly partners with the San Diego Natural History Museum, virtually and in-person, to help integrate climate messages into the community through our Climate Kids program. The Climate Science Alliance team works closely with the San Diego Natural History Museum educators to integrate climate messaging into their programming, developing engaging videos and activities focused on climate change and its impacts on both natural communities and human communities in our binational region. We invite you to check out their offerings and support the great work they are doing in our community.
Climate Kids Connects is sponsored by San Diego Gas & Electric.
As our world shifts, we understand the need to adapt for an emergent digital community. By enhancing our online outreach efforts we can build capacity and continued support for climate education. Learn more at www.climatekids.org.
