Kids and Conservation

The following information came from www.clarkswcd.org.
Welcome to our Kids & Conservation page!
Why should conservation be important to kids? Well, because conservation is all about protecting and managing our natural resources and environment so that they are here for future generations (you!) to use and enjoy.

A conservationist is someone who works to save (conserve) things in nature. For example, some conservationists work to protect wild animals or plants. Others care about wild places, such as deserts or wetlands. Still others work to make sure we don't run out of things like clean air and water, minerals, soil for farming, and trees for lumber.
Some conservationists do scientific research, while others work with governments or companies. Many work right out in the wilderness. But some prefer to teach or write. They help other people learn about natural resources and how to conserve them.
Anyone can be a conservationist, even you! For example, if you recycle pop bottles, throw your empty McDonald's bags in the trash instead of on the ground, or turn off lights when you leave a room, you're already conserving. Every little bit helps!
The information and links below will help you learn more about conservation.


The Truth About Water
Have you ever heard people say that "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink?" We shouldn't get mad at the horse because he won't drink; he may be smarter than we think. Horses can smell things that we can't see, and maybe he can tell that there is something in the water that is not good for him to drink.
Water Questions and Answers
Can you tell if your drinking water is o.k. by looking at it?
No. None of the chemicals and other things that can make you sick can be seen.
If you travel to other countries, should you drink their water?
The water is generally safe to drink in Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. In other countries, you should drink only carbonated bottled water.
Is it O.K. to take a drink from the garden hose when you are hot and sweaty from playing in the yard?
No. Hoses are made with special chemicals that keep them flexible, and these chemicals can get into the water when it goes through the hose. The opening on the end of the hose could also be covered with germs from laying in the grass or from just being outside.
I've heard that my drinking water contains fluoride and chlorine - are they safe to drink?
Yes. Fluoride can even help your teeth stay healthy (Look on your tube of toothpaste to see if it has fluoride in it.) Chlorine is safe but some people say they can taste it in the water.
Why does the water look cloudy sometimes when it comes out of your faucet and then clears up in your glass?
The cloudy water is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water like the bubbles you see when you pour a soft drink into a glass. They rise to the top and then disappear just like they do in a soft drink.
What is "hard" water?
Believe it or not, the water is called "hard" because it is "hard" to make lather or suds for washing with it. The reason is that the water has too much calcium and magnesium in it. Water that doesn't have enough calcium and magnesium is called "soft" water.
Why is ocean water salty?
Rainwater doesn't have any salt in it, but when if falls on the ground, it picks up salt from the ground as it flows back down to the ocean. When this water evaporates from the ocean, it leaves the salt behind. The ocean is very salty because this has been going on for over a billion years!
Interesting Facts About Water
Even though you think you use water "up" every day, we have the same amount of water on Earth now as we did 3 billion years ago when the Earth was formed. Because we can't get more water than what we already have, we need to learn to conserve (save) it. If we conserve it, we'll be sure to have plenty to drink (or swim in!) for many, many more years.
Using a "purifier (filter)" on your water at home doesn't always make it safer and healthier to drink. People use filters on their water to make it taste, smell or look better, but filters don't kill germs.
Bottled water is not always safer to drink than tap water. The quality of bottled water is not monitored by the government like tap water is, and studies have shown that germs can grow in bottled water while it sits on the grocery shelf. Bottled water also costs much more than tap water. However, if there is an emergency, bottled water is an important source of drinking water.
If you have lead pipes in the plumbing in your house, the lead can get into the water. Lead is very harmful to young children. There are a couple of things you can do if you have lead in the plumbing: 1) Since warm water absorbs more lead than cold, always use cold water for cooking or drinking. 2) Because water standing in pipes tends to absorb lead, clear the pipes before drinking by letting the faucet run until the water is cold.