WonderGrove for Birds
Announcing the launch of a brand-new series of videos created for kids in grades K-2 by WonderGrove Kids, in collaboration with Homegrown National Park!
These engaging and educational videos focus on the importance of creating habitats for birds, making it easy and fun for young children to learn how they can help nature right in their own yards.
WonderGrove Kids is renowned for providing parents and teachers with a comprehensive selection of instructional animations that prepare children for the daily challenges of life. What a great opportunity to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards!
Episode 1: How Birds Help
Episode 2: Create a Bird-Friendly Ecosystem
Episode 3: Inviting Birds with Feeders and Baths
Episode 4: Exploring the Wonders of Bird Nests
Episode 5: Building Bird Houses
Episode 7: How Birds Help Us
Episode 6: Building a Bird-Friendly Ecosystem
Nature's Best Hope
(Young Readers Edition)
How You Can Save the World in Your Own Yard
Douglas W. Tallamy awakened thousands of readers to an urgent situation: wildlife populations are in decline because the native plants they depend on are fast disappearing. His solution? Plant more natives. In this middle grade adaptation of the New York Times bestseller Nature's Best Hope, Tallamy outlines his vision for a grassroots approach to conservation that everyone can participate in regardless of age.
In this edition, Tallamy empowers kids to use their own yards to help combat the negative effects of climate change. He does so by breaking down complex concepts into simple terms and real-world examples that kids can easily grasp. Black and white photographs help further clarify concepts. In addition to sharing the science, Tallamy encourages kids to take direct action. Some of these ideas include planting an oak tree (one of the most important tree species) at home. If that’s too large of a task, he suggests they can plant asters—a beautiful flower whose pollen bees use to feed their young. By helping the next generation see that they have power and agency over our collective future, this empowering book will drive home the positive point that kids are truly nature’s best hope.
Camilla and the Caterpillars
How a Young Girl's Love Created a National Park At Home
‘Camilla and the Caterpillars’ teaches young readers ecological concepts
GATLINBURG, TN — Smokies Life is pleased to announce the publication of “Camilla and the Caterpillars,” an environmentally themed chapter book for ages 6 through 11 that introduces young readers to important ecological concepts, including habitat loss and the interdependence of native species.
Written by Smokies Life Creative Services Director Frances Figart and illustrated by Matt Brass, “Camilla and the Caterpillars” tells the story of a young girl’s encounter with an extraordinary caterpillar in the Great Smoky Mountains — leading her and her family on a quest to create a “national park” of native plants right in their own backyard. Figart, who is the author of children’s books “A Search for Safe Passage” (Smokies Life, 2021) and “Mabel Meets a Black Bear” (Smokies Life, 2023), was inspired to write the book after seeing a presentation from Doug Tallamy, founder of the Homegrown National Park movement.
Meet the new science unit your middle schooler needs. Janneke Petersen is looking to spark a nationwide movement of teachers restoring biodiversity in their schoolyards. Everyone can help spread the word!
If you're an educator, visit Janneke's website or reach out to her for more info and a free consultation. Even if it's been decades since middle school, you can share this article with everyone you know. The more students who learn about and plant native species, the better off we'll all be. Get your school involved!
Easily become a Biodiversity Hero with your Keystone Roll-Out Garden™ from Ecoplantia! These professionally-designed gardens are printed on biodegradable paper and come ready to grow with 25 powerful natives (no seeds, just plants!).
Including 12 Keystone plants (4 species), this kit takes the guesswork out of starting an eco-friendly garden. Just clear a 6x10 foot area, roll it out, and plant your natives (“X” marks the spot). Then add water and mulch, sit back, and enjoy your vibrant new habitat!