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 o
you know about biodiversity? You should! Biodiversity
is the variety of life on earth. It includes
everything from the tiniest microbes to the
tallest trees, from creatures that spend their
entire lives deep in the ocean to those that
soar above the Earth’s surface. Even
though Pennsylvania is home to a great richness
of life, our biodiversity is threatened. Natural
events such as storms and fires have impacts
on biodiversity, but nature is usually able
to renew itself over time. However, human
influences can cause extensive, irreversible
effects on biodiversity and affect the overall
health of our environment. Do your part to
conserve |
Pennsylvania’s biodiversity;
our very
existence depends on it! Learn More: Visit
www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: “Earth Day
Central,” www.GreenWorks.tv
(GreenWords “Biodiversity Jr”)
or check #12 on your Free Stuff Card (page
7) to receive a free Biodiversity CD-ROM.
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.jpg) 
Falcon Data Recorder – sounds
like a pretty important job, huh? Well, 15-year-old
Chris Mitchell, a student at Central Dauphin
East High School in Harrisburg, was challenged
to the task and passed with flying colors!
For the last couple of years, peregrine falcons
have been nesting on the 15th floor of the
Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg.
Last summer, Chris had the honor of being
DEP’s official falcon data recorder.
He was responsible for writing down each bird’s
gender, weight, color, band number and any
health issues observed by the wildlife biologists.
“Just being close to the falcons was
exciting,” Chris said.
“You see them on the Internet and they
look so small, but up close these birds are
huge!”
As a member of the Falcon Watch and Rescue
Team, Chris helps monitor the birds through
binoculars to make sure the fledglings don’t
fall or land in the street as they begin to
fly. And, last fall, Chris got the chance
to spread his wings even more, so to speak,
as he volunteered to band owls at the Ned
Smith Center for Nature & Art in Millersburg.
Learn More about
environmental activities for kids at www.GreenWorks.tv
(GreenWords “Planet PA”).
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 eregrine
falcons nest on a ledge of the 15th floor of the
Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg.
This nest is one of 10 active nesting sites in Pennsylvania.
The reintroduction and recovery of the peregrine
falcon as well as other native species, helps reclaim
biodiversity that is our heritage. Learn More:
Catch a glimpse on the webcam
or check out the photo gallery at www.state.pa.us,
PA Keyword: “Falcon” or www.GreenWorks.tv
(GreenWords “Falcon”).
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 lants
and animals in imminent danger of extinction are
known as “endangered species.” Loss of
wetland habitats, particularly large connected pieces
of land, is the foremost factor currently affecting
at-risk, threatened and endangered species in Pennsylvania. |
 he
bog turtle is an endangered species known for its
large red-orange or yellow blotch behind each eye,
against an otherwise brown body lightly marked with
orange or yellow. The primary reason for the bog
turtle’s troubles is the draining and destruction
of its habitat. It is important to be aware that
everywhere in nature is home to something. We must
think twice before we carelessly disturb or destroy
our state’s wild places. Learn More: For
an Earth Day poster highlighting other native species
of Pennsylvania, check #13 on your Free Stuff Card
(page 7). |
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  irds
are important to a healthy environment. They control
insect populations, pollinate flowers, disperse
seeds and even serve as food themselves for larger
predators like the peregrine falcon. Feeding birds
is a simple thing to do that can have a big impact
on the health of our environment. Here’s how
fun can be “for the birds”: Spread peanut
butter on a pine cone and then roll it in birdseed.
Tie a string to the cone and hang it from a tree
or a hook near your window. Make a couple to attract
even more birds. They will appreciate the meal,
and the environment will appreciate your stewardship.
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Planet PA is the first place to go to learn all about
your most immediate environment – Pennsylvania. At
Planet PA, you’ll find links to all sorts of information
about nature and the environment. Check out online videos
featuring other Pennsylvania kids protecting the environment.
Have a look for yourself! Learn More: www.GreenWorks.tv
(GreenWords “Planet PA”). |
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Tell us what you think of the Gazette. Send us your story
ideas and win a free GreenWorks t-shirt if we use your
story. Call us toll-free at (877) PA-GREEN. Write: 1420
Walnut St., Suite 1304, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Email:
talktous@greenworks.tv. |
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