Activity
Build a Nature Bridge
Social Studies:
Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Outcomes and Experiences
SOC 2-08a: I can discuss the environmental impact of human activity and suggest ways in which we can live in a more environmentally-responsible way.
SOC 3-08a: I can identify the possible consequences of an environmental issue and make informed suggestions about ways to manage the impact.
Technology:
TCH 2-09a: I can extend and enhance my design skills to solve problems and can construct models
TCH 3-09a: I can create solutions in 3D and 2D and can justify the construction/graphic methods and the design features.
Duration
Materials 20 min
Copy of the ‘A Window Into Outdoors’ pages 46 - 49 Whiteboard or large paper
Markers
Pictures of local wildlife (e.g., deer, red squirrels, various birds, insects, fish)
Pictures of different environments (e.g., forest, urban park, river, agricultural land)
Activity Instructions
1 Introduction: "Today we're going to talk about wildlife management and ‘Nature Bridges’ also knows as ‘Wildlife Overpasses’, ‘Wildlife Corridors’ or ‘Green Bridges’. Can anyone tell me what they think this type of bridge might be for?” Write the pupil’s answers on the board
2.“A nature bridge is an artificial structure, that is designed to allow wildlife to safely cross obstacles such as motorways or railways. They are really important structures, particularly in areas where new motorways have been created through existing wildlife habitats. In Scotland they create a safe passageway for animals such as deer, badgers and red squirrels, and can help to reduce animal collisions with vehicles.” Other examples of these ‘Nature Bridges’ from other parts of the world: The migration of red crabs on Christmas Island: The islanders identified the paths that the crabs are most likely to take and built a ‘crab bridge’ to allow them to cross safely.
Tiger Pass in India: The 44 highway through the Pench Tiger Reserve in India was constructed with passageways for wildlife under the bridge so that tigers could cross safely.
Monkey Bridge, Brazil: A Monkey canopy bridge was constructed to allow the endangered monkeys to safely cross a highway in the Brazilian Amazon.
Mount Kenya Elephant Corridor: An underpass was constructed under the Kenya Highway A2 in Africa to allow elephants to move between the highlands of Mount Kenya and the Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve.
3 Activity: Build A Nature Bridge. Split the pupils into groups.
4.Instructions:
As a group ask them to pick an animal that you would find in Scotland which would benefit from having a ‘nature bridge’ constructed for them. Think about where you might find them in Scotland, what type of bridge they would need to build so they could cross safely.
Ask the pupils to design and draw their bridge including labels explaining their reasoning behind the design, why they think it’s needed, and why they think it will work.
Using the materials provided ask the pupils to construct a bridge or underground tunnel either over or under a road that they have built. The distance between the road and either the bridge or tunnel must be more than 30 cm.
Activity Instructions
5. Once everyone has finished constructing their ‘nature bridge/ wildlife corridor’ ask the groups to explain their design to the rest of the class. Ask them if there is anything they would change or add if they had more time.
6. Wrap-Up: Re-cap what ‘nature-bridges/wildlifecorridors’ are and why they are important.