Kids Page

DIRT MADE MY LUNCH?

That’s correct! Dirt is very important. Without healthy soil, we wouldn’t have fruits, vegetables and grasses that feed farm animals. If you love to play in the dirt and help the planet, try composting!

WHAT IS COMPOSTING?

Composting turns food waste into plant food by returning nutrients to the dirt. It also keeps material out of landfills. Ask an adult to provide a compost bin, or you can make your own bin together together. (Adults can learn more on Page 18.)

MAKE A “COMPOST LASAGNA!”

STEP 1

Gather your compost lasagna ingredients: GREENS: Plant or Grass Cuttings, Fruit and Vegetable Waste, Used Coffee Grounds BROWNS: Sawdust, Newspaper, Cardboard, Leaves

Create layers of greens and browns in a compost bin.

Make sure the top of the bin is browns. This helps reduce raccoons and other backyard friends from getting into your compost bin.

STEP 2

WHAT CAN’T BE COMPOSTED?

Some items can’t be composted. Circle which items you think can’t go into compost, and check our answer key at the bottom.

lettuce

dairy products pet waste straw wood shavings

newspaper apple core cooking fats or grease meat scraps banana peel

carrot peels bone scraps grass clippings

paper egg carton weeds

HAVE FUN, AND HAPPY COMPOSTING!

One Government Drive St. Louis, MO 63110

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CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: MY NAME IS MISSPELLED. MY ADDRESS IS INCORRECT. I RECEIVED MORE THAN ONE COPY. I NO LONGER WISH TO RECEIVE stlzoo.

Please clip this address panel and mail it to us, noting your request.

Address Service Requested Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

P AID

Saint Louis, MO Permit No. 2096

© stlzoo, Saint Louis Zoo, 2023

Symbol of Changing Seasons Aleutian cackling geese fly overhead in a “V” formation. They go northbound in the spring and southbound in the fall. This is symbolic to many as a change of seasons.