Provided by: John Ball Zoo |Published on: February 9, 2026
Articles/Websites
678
Synopsis
This resource from John Ball Zoo lists a variety of efforts and collaborations to protect and save species that are facing extinction in Michigan.
The resource also includes a video specifically about a project to restore the population of Poweshiek skipperling butterflies and a link to a page that lists the zoo's conservation efforts.
The end of the "Life on the Brink" video gives viewers a powerful message about turning their anguish and despair into action.
Seeing so many species being cared for and seeing people try to rescue them from extinction gives viewers hope for the future.
Prerequisites
It may benefit students to discuss the terms extinction, threatened species, species of concern, and endangered species.
Differentiation & Implementation
Teachers can have students choose which conservation project they are most interested in reading, then students can practice summarization skills by condensing what they read into one or two sentences to share with classmates who did not read about that project.
Students may also enjoy this article about successes in saving species from extinction.
Students can look through the conservation measures at the zoo to find measures to propose in their schools or for other organizations.
This resource can be used to inspire students to create a school pollinator garden.
Teachers can use this resource to make connections to Sustainable Development Goal 15, Life on Land.
Scientist Notes
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Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
