GEF

Unit 2  |  Water Science and the Water Cycle 63 GROWYOUR KNOWLEDGE Is it possible for people to undo the harm they have done to the environment? Those involved in the efforts underway to restore the Everglades hope so. In this activity, you will work in small groups to research the Everglades restoration project and answer the questions below. Then, prepare and perform a skit to illustrate what you learn. Some online resources that might help you get started include the video “Florida Bay on the Brink?” produced by the Everglades Foundation, located at https://vimeo. com/147337747 , the Everglades Foundation website at evergladesfoundation.org , and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Everglades restoration project website at everglades restoration.gov. 1. How large were the Everglades before people starting changing the landscape and water flow? 2. What did people do that caused damage to the Everglades? Did anyone benefit from the changes? How? 3. What animal and plant species were harmed by the changes to the Everglades? How? 4. What are the goals of the restoration project? 5. How much is the restoration project going to cost? 6. What lessons have people learned from the destruction and restoration of the Everglades? 7. When your research is complete, work with your group towrite a script for a skit about the destruction and restoration of the Everglades. Perform the skit for your class. CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING 1. Why is water a unique material? How do its unique properties affect sustainability? 2. What are the steps of the water cycle? 3. What is an aquatic ecosystem and why are they important to people? 4. What are the different types of water pollution and how can they be addressed? 5. What is a watershed? What are the benefits to thinking in terms of living in a watershed?