Speak for the Species Project
Project Description:
California is one of 34 recognized biodiversity hotspots on our planet, but much of it is ravaged and fundamentally changed by invasive species. When critical habitat is disturbed, the native species' existence suffers. Often numbers dwindle; less voices are heard. And although quiet--some seemingly insignificant--all of these voices represent life connected to others, affecting the proliferation, or lack thereof, of numerous living things. Isolated by immense oceans, different parts of the Earth reached a balance, only to be brutally and ignorantly destroyed by explorers. The disturbances, especially in places of the richest flora and fauna, like California, have affected the species and landscape in irreversible ways. Our students will experience, gather, and research the stories of a number of creatures in crisis, thinking about the best ways inform the public and motivate action. This, they will do through Podcasts, which will be accessible online (on HTHNC’s currently developing library website and soundcloud) and right outside the entrance of the school, woven through a garden made up of native California species--and designed by the students.
Barbara Taylor
Vaquita Expert
Barbara Taylor works at NOAA Fisheries, and gave us the opportunity to interview her on Vaquitas and we were able to gain more information on the problem and Vaquitas themselves. We had an in depth interview explaining what we can do as people to help bring awareness to this problem.