Educating youth about risks associated with invasive species plays an integral part in SSISC’s mission to reduce the threat of invasives in the Sea to Sky corridor.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
In-Person Activities
Outdoor Activities
SSISC staff collaborate with school teachers to plan educational and stewardship outdoor activities, such as games, “weed walks”, weed pulls, and scavenger hunts. These activities generally take place in late spring; please contact us if you are interested in exploring possibilities for your group.
We also have a series of free activities for you to use with your group. You could:
- Organize your own weed pull, using the DIY Weed Pull Toolkit;
- Use your group’s keen eyes and become plant detectives with our Scavenger Hunt; or
- Learn as you play a fun game of Wildlife Warrior Bingo!
After-School Programs
Why not include content related to invasive species into your after-school program?
In 2018, SSISC has facilitated activities with the following after-school programs in the Sea to Sky:
- Saplings Program
- Pemberton Stewardship Society program
- Whistler Waldorf School (AWARE pilot project)
Contact us to explore the possibilities!
Invasive-Wise Education
The Invasive Species Council of BC has launched a new Invasive-Wise Education program to provide BC curriculum-linked lesson plans for grades K to 12 that can be used in the classroom, at home, and outdoors in the schoolyard or local parks.
Resources for Educators
ISCBC Teacher Resources
The Invasive Species Council of BC has published a series of resources to help educators teach about invasives at every grade. The activities cover various subjects such as science, arts and social studies, and are adapted to a wide range of ages and grades. You can even search for activities that are done indoors or outdoors!
CCIS Activity Books
The Canadian Council on Invasive Species recently launched two activity books which aim to engage and educate youth on preventing the spread of invasive species in their communities.
Download them for free and print them at home using the links below:
- Invasive Species in our Forests (Resources for Educators)
- Invasive Species on our Landscapes (ages 6-12)
- Invasive Species in our Waters (ages 6-12)
Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree is an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, which provides instructional materials for grades PreK-12, offers professional development to help educators integrate environmental education into their teachings, and provides a support network to all 50 American states and several countries.
Visit their site to access a breadth of field-tested, hands-on activities for grades K-8.
- Most activities are available for purchase, but you can download some free sample activities here.
- Project Learning Tree Canada also offers free worksheets to support learning about the environment.
Washington Invasive Species Council Resources
The Washington Invasive Species Council (WISC), in collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture, has developed Next Generation Science Standards-aligned, middle school lessons to teach students about invasive students through conducting research, using technology to gather and visualize data, using mapping software, creating and testing models, and taking action through a stewardship project.
The lessons plans are available on the WISC’s website, complete with handouts and resources for each lesson plan.
Montata State University Resources
Montana State University has developed the following educational activities and resources for teachers and kids:
Green Teacher Resources
Green Teacher has also published a guide on teaching about invasive species, available on their website.
Games and Activities
Still looking for more?
- We’ve got you covered. Head to our Resources for Youth page.
- The Invasive Species Council of BC also offers several games and quiet activities.
Do you have a classroom pet?
Help combat the spread of invasive species by ensuring that your classroom pet isn’t invasive. British Columbia is now home to several introduced pet and plant species, including:
- Red Eared Slider Turtle
- American Bullfrog
- Goldfish
- Eurasian Watermilfoil
- Parrot Feather
- European Rabbit
- Brazilian Elodea
- Koi Carp
Moreover, never release a pet into the wild. Some pets could thrive in their new habitat, threatening native species and severely changing the native ecosystem. Don’t Let It Loose!
