• Views 63
  • Favorites
Photo by Darren Lawrence via Unsplash

Database Provider

Author

Nature Conservancy

Grades

9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

Subjects

Science, Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, English Language Arts

Resource Type

  • Articles and Websites

Regional Focus

North America, United States, USA - West, Hawai'i

From the Mountains to the Sea

|
Ask a Question

Synopsis
  • This article describes wetland restoration work in Hawai'i, in which Indigenous land management practices of the past are revived to improve water quality and habitats from the mountains down to the sea.
  • Students will read about the current restoration efforts that utilize lessons learned from the traditional ahupua‘a system, which employed practices like grazing, fish pond creation, and wetland farming to holistically manage water, crops, and wildlife.
Teaching Tips

Positives

  • This article presents an excellent description of how of watersheds are interconnected and how viewing their use and management holistically can improve habitat quality.
  • There are effective visuals to guide the reader in understanding the Hawaiian watershed system because in the pictures you can see how the mountains, streams, and fish ponds are geographically close and interconnected.
  • This article shows the value of considering Indigenous cultural values and ideas in environmental stewardship.

Additional Prerequisites

  • Learners should be familiar with ecological terms such as invasive species, environmental restoration, and watershed management.

Differentiation

  • This article could be useful in a social studies or geography class in examining Indigenous practices in environmental management and stewardship.
  • As an extension, have students investigate their own watershed and explore its ecology and various land management practices employed within its boundaries.
  • To accompany the reading, consider building a model ahupua‘a out of clay or recyclable materials and running water through it.
  • To explore additional ways that Indigenous knowledge is valuable in protecting the environment consider watching this video.
Scientist Notes
This website discusses the effects of imbalance on an ecosystem. Watershed restoration efforts are discussed and a large-scale model for restoration of Hawai'ian culture and environment is explained. This resource would be a great addition to a classroom discussing sustainability and restoration options.
Standards
  • Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
    • ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
      • HS-ESS3-3 Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
      • HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
  • College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
    • Dimension 2: Geography
      • D2.Geo.6.9-12 Evaluate the impact of human settlement activities on the environmental and cultural characteristics of specific places and regions.
  • Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
    • Reading: Science & Technical Subjects (6-12)
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9-10 texts and topics.
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.10 By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 9-10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 11-12 texts and topics.
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.10 By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 11-CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.
  • Related Resources

    Reviews

    Login to leave a review